Top 5 Best Speakers Under $500 in 2024

Bluetooth speaker technology continues to advance in terms of sound quality, design, and size. The Soundcore by Anker Boom 2, Bose SoundLink Flex, Bose SoundLink Max, and Tribit StormBox Flow are some of our best speakers. Our most current top choice is the Beats Pill (2024), which was just released.

While there are several high-end, quite expensive speakers on this list, I’ve also included a number of affordable options, some of which are under $50. During testing, we assess the speaker’s design, water resistance rating, durability, and sound quality as well as battery life. We also consider how good the speaker is for the price it is offered at.

Every Bluetooth speaker on this list has been tested by me, and I update it frequently when new speakers are released.

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Last update on 2024-07-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Speakers Under $500 in 2024

1.Soundcore by Anker Boom 2

Last update on 2024-07-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

One of the better small boom box Bluetooth speaker values during the last few years was the original Soundcore Motion Boom, which made our list of the best Bluetooth speakers. With more than twice the power rating of the original, the 3.75-pound Boom 2 sounds far better and is more expensive. It has two tweeters and one subwoofer, so in addition to playing louder, it also blasts out more bass and provides better clarity at higher volumes. Additionally, it features a few built-in LED lights to add to the festive atmosphere. It’s a good bargain speaker with an impressive sound quality considering its size.

Waterproof (rated IPX7) The speaker is designed to float, and its battery life is rated for up to 24 hours at moderate volume settings (it charges via USB-C). The Soundcore app for iOS and Android allows you to adjust the sound and modify the illumination. To charge your devices, there’s also a USB-out port.

The Soundcore Boom 2 weighs 3.7 pounds and is available in Adventure Green, Explorer Blue, or Phantom Black (the version I tried). Its dimensions are approximately 7.3 by 11.7 by 4.0 inches (HWD). On either end, it has two striped LED panels that serve as passive bass radiators. A handle that is integrated into the top makes it simple to carry. The outside of the primary enclosure is made of plastic and feels and looks a little cheesy. Instead, a lot of rival outdoor speakers—like the Flip 6—use a more sophisticated matte silicon substance. To put things in perspective, the Flip 6 (7.0 by 2.6 by 2.8 inches, 1.2 pounds) is likewise much lighter and smaller. In contrast, the Sony SRS-XG300 weighs 6.6 pounds and measures 12.5 by 5.4 by 5.4 inches, making it twice as big.

The 2.1 speaker system is shielded from damage by a perforated plastic grille on the front. An 80-watt total output is produced by two 15-watt (W) tweeters and a center 50-watt woofer. This is still an amazing setup for a portable speaker, even though the later part is too little and insufficiently powerful to be a genuine subwoofer. Please be aware that the overall output lowers to 60W if you disable the Bass Up option. Either way, to correspond with deep bass tracks, the passive radiators on the ends vibrate passionately. The frequency range that the three drivers span is 45Hz–20kHz. You receive only the SBC codec by default and Bluetooth 5.3 as connectivity options.

2.Bose SoundLink Flex

Last update on 2024-07-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Bose made some audacious claims regarding the SoundLink Flex speaker’s bass capabilities when it was first released. For its small size, this wireless speaker may have the best sound quality and largely lives up to the expectations.

It comes in three colors: black, white smoke, and stone blue (as seen). Bose’s PositionIQ technology is built into the speaker to recognize its orientation automatically and adjust the sound to fit whether it’s hanging, upright, or flat on its back.

Watching movies and videos is not intended for use with the Bose SoundLink Flex. It’s a little, straightforward speaker that can clearly reproduce dialogue, but unlike larger models on the market, it lacks the theatrical bass rumbling. Furthermore, there are latency problems with it, particularly when coupled with iOS devices. Lip-synching problems will probably be noticeable, detracting from the immersive experience.

There are six color options available for the Bose SoundLink Flex: White Smoke, Cypress Green, Chilled Lilac, Stone Blue, Black, and Carmine Red. The ‘Black’ variant’s test results are represented in this review; its label may be found here. Similar results are anticipated from the variations.

This speaker is also available without a microphone under the name Bose SoundLink Flex SE.

Comparable in design to the Anker Soundcore 3 and the Bose SoundLink Micro, the Bose Flex is a compact, portable speaker. Having said that, its strong and durable construction makes it better made. Similar to other SoundLink speakers we’ve evaluated, the Flex is compatible with smartphone voice assistants. Nevertheless, it does a great job in louder environments and at a distance in comprehending your orders.

3.Beats Pill (2024)

Last update on 2024-07-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

The Beats Pill is a significant improvement over its predecessor in a number of areas, including pricing, durability, sound quality, and battery life. The Bose SoundLink Flex’s compact factor and reduced weight are appealing to me. However, the Pill does come with a few useful additions like speakerphone functionality and USB-C audio wired mode.

You’ll need to assess the value of those items when comparing the Pill to the Bose SoundLink Flex. Regardless of perspective, the Pill is a highly competent little Bluetooth speaker.

The rectangular Pill is quite similar to the original, weighing 1.5 pounds and measuring around 2.8 by 8.6 by 2.8 inches (HWD). The speaker is available from Beats in Champagne Gold, Matte Black, or Statement Red—the latter two of which I tested. The Statement Red variant is quite eye-catching, while the Matte Black version gathers dust easily.

The Pill has a matte silicone coating surrounding the majority of the shell and a metallic front grille with tiny perforations. The right side is equipped with a detachable, matching lanyard, and the bottom includes four tiny feet to stabilize the speaker on flat surfaces.

A single neodymium tweeter and a racetrack-style neodymium woofer housed inside the Beats Pill work together to produce mono sound. Passive bass radiators are absent.

The Pill lacks support for AptX and other Android-friendly alternatives, but it is Bluetooth 5.3 compatible and supports the AAC and SBC codecs. In addition to AAC, the less potent Anker Soundcore Motion 300 supports LDAC for enhanced codec compatibility with Android devices. Multipoint connectivity is not accessible, however Google Fast Pair is. When pairing an Android smartphone, users must navigate the Bluetooth menu; with Apple devices, the Pill appears on the screen automatically.

4.Tribit StormBox Flow

Last update on 2024-07-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Another less expensive Bose SoundLink Flex clone, Tribit’s StormBox Flow has some features in common with the Soundcore Motion 300, including the same advertised price. Though the Anker speaker has a superior design, the Motion 300 may sound marginally superior to the Tribit in terms of bass performance.

The Tribit StormBox Flow may be placed flat with its speaker turned on, just as the Bose SoundLink Flex. For stereo audio, you can also wirelessly pair two of the speakers.

It is completely waterproof and dust-resistant thanks to its IP67 rating. According to Tribit, it can play music at a moderate volume for up to 30 hours. That is quite remarkable.

The StormBox Flow weighs 1.5 pounds and measures 3.5 by 7.9 by 2.1 inches (HWD). It is available in a dark matte gray color. The speaker includes a perforated grille on the front and tactile buttons along the top. A 62mm, 25W driver located behind the grille provides mono audio in the frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz. A second grille guards the passive radiator on the back. Regarding connectivity, the StormBox Flow is capable of supporting AAC and SBC codecs and Bluetooth 5.3, but not AptX. This is where the Anker Soundcore Motion 300 excels because it has the high-resolution-capable LDAC codec.

Rubberized feet on both the bottom and back allow the speaker to be positioned so that the grille faces either forward or upward when seated. In contrast to many outdoor-friendly models, nothing covers the USB-C charging port that connects to the included USB-C-to-USB-C cable. Rounding out the physical features is a removable shoelace-like lanyard that attaches to the loop on the right edge.

The control panel is on top if you set the speaker such that it fires forward. The speaker has buttons for power, Bluetooth, volume down, multifunction, volume up, EQ, and TWS, arranged from left to right. Track management (two presses for forward, three for backward), voice assistant access (long press), and playback and calls (short press) are all controlled via the center multifunction button. Three presets can be cycled through by pressing the EQ button: Audiobook, XBass On, and XBass Off. You can’t use this button to choose between the other presets that are accessible in the companion app. Lastly, you can use a second StormBox Flow to form a stereo pair by pressing the TWS button.

5.Bose SoundLink Max

Last update on 2024-07-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.

Available in a Black or Blue Dusk finish, the SoundLink Max measures approximately 4.7 by 10.4 by 4.1 inches and weighs 4.9 pounds. The SoundLink Max has a steel frame that is silicone-wrapped and powder-coated. It also has a grip with strong woven ends. The best part of the design is the handle, especially considering how easily dust may accumulate in the silicone enclosure. The two silicone rings that secure the handle can be twisted to remove it. For $25, Bose offers new handles if you’d prefer a different style. For an additional $45, a carrying strap in Blue Dusk or Black is offered. Given the expensive cost, I wish Bose had included one of these attachments; the package includes merely a USB-C to USB-C charging cable and a wall adapter. The speaker has a 3.5mm aux input on the back and an exposed USB-C port.Available in a Black or Blue Dusk finish, the SoundLink Max measures approximately 4.7 by 10.4 by 4.1 inches and weighs 4.9 pounds. 

Through the front grille, sound is produced by a trio of drivers, and the bass depth is enhanced by two passive radiators that fire to either side. Bose withholds information about the drivers’ dimensions, power, and frequency range.

The speaker has Google Fast Pair support, Bluetooth 5.3 compatibility, AAC, AptX Adaptive, and SBC codec compatibility, as well as multipoint connectivity for up to two devices. You can link to the SoundLink Max from another of the company’s compatible soundbars or speakers thanks to the Bose SimpleSync feature.

Play/pause (touch twice to move to the next track, or three times to get to the previous one), Bluetooth, volume down, volume up, power (push and hold for a battery life reading), and shortcut are among the indentation buttons on top of the speaker. When you press the buttons, they have a pleasant click and feel smooth. In particular, the power button responds quite well. A fast push of the power button is all that’s required to switch on or off this speaker, unlike those that require you to hold it down for a few seconds. It is quite unlikely that either action will misfire because you will receive an audible cue for both. Although the shortcut button automatically changes the audio input to the aux connector, you can optionally designate it to play Spotify via the companion app. Two LED indicators just above the buttons let you know when the speaker is on and whether it has an active Bluetooth connection.

Factors to consider when choosing a Bluetooth speaker

Budget

You should first choose how much you are willing to spend on a new Bluetooth speaker. Value-for-money wireless speakers are still becoming better, so for not too much money (less than $60), you can purchase decent “cheap” Bluetooth speakers from Chinese firms like Tribit. Paying $100 or more for a higher-end speaker is to be expected, particularly for larger, more powerful portable speakers

Size 

Bigger speakers tend to sound better, delivering a bigger sound with more bass. Going bigger means they weigh more, which can make them a little harder to carry around. So you have to balance size with performance if you’re looking for something that’s easily portable. If you’re interested in a larger portable speaker, one feature worth looking out for is a built-in handle.

Durability

Nowadays, a lot of Bluetooth speakers are completely dust- and waterproof-proof. More durability is a good feature if you intend to take the speaker on hikes or beach excursions.

Speakerphone capabilities

Certain speakers can function as a speakerphone when you make calls on your mobile device thanks to an integrated microphone. If that’s a feature you’re seeking for, make your choice appropriately because many speakers don’t offer it.