Wireless Bluetooth speakers have become commonplace and indispensable devices. Everyone has one, and the applications differ from person to person. Perhaps you use your speaker to play music around the house or as a shower background. Maybe you’ll take it to the park or the beach. Then there are individuals that bring a portable speaker with them almost everywhere they go, sharing their music from a bike or backpack with everyone in the vicinity.
There are many people who have old Bluetooth speakers lying around, and if the one you have is still functional, there is no immediate need to switch to anything newer. However, Bluetooth speakers have improved significantly in recent years. Sound quality is improving, battery life is breaking new ground, and they’re more sturdy and durable than ever before.
In this article, we are going to talk about the Top 3 Bluetooth Speakers to buy in 2022.
Number 1. Bose Soundlink Flex ($149)
I’m not sure what kind of engineering wizardry goes into Bose’s Bluetooth speakers; all I know is that, since the SoundLink Mini II, they’ve sounded clearer and better than any competitors in the same size range. The $149 SoundLink Flex is Bose’s latest portable speaker, and it lives up to its reputation.
Despite the fact that it just has a single driver, the SoundLink Flex produces spacious sound with a genuinely astonishing amount of bass. And, most importantly, the low end isn’t muddy or boomy. This speaker is rich and clear in every way. That’s even more unexpected given that it only supports the basic SBC Bluetooth codec rather than AAC or the more powerful LDAC. Nonetheless, this speaker sounds fantastic.
The battery life is approximately 12 hours, and the SoundLink Flex, like many other speakers in this guide, is designated IP67 for dust and water protection. Bose is convinced that it will resist tumbles and swimming. The Flex will automatically tune the EQ for any orientation, whether you lay the speaker flat or stand it upright. It also performs better than others as a speakerphone thanks to the built-in microphones. Not everything about the SoundLink Flex is ideal: its buttons aren’t easy to use only by feel, and it’s odd that Bose chose Bluetooth 4.2 over a newer version of the standard.
There are no major sticking points and as such, the Soundlink Flex is a WIN.
Number 2. SONOS Roam ($180)
If you’re thinking about purchasing the Sonos Roam, it’s crucial to keep your expectations in check. The company’s larger speakers frequently produce audio performance that sounds bigger and more expansive than you’d anticipate, although this isn’t always the case with the Roam. Don’t get us wrong: while it won’t fill a room with music, it will provide clear, dramatic sound if you’re sitting nearby or using it as a shower speaker.
The Roam’s key selling features are its intelligence and close connectivity with Sonos’ whole-home audio platform. When you’re at home, the Roam broadcasts music over Wi-Fi, which provides higher fidelity than Bluetooth. With the push of a button, you can effortlessly switch music from the Roam to another nearby Sonos speaker, and it’s an inexpensive way to add a turntable to your Sonos system – as long as your turntable supports Bluetooth. It’s also simple to connect it to additional Sonos speakers for multi-room playback. Choose between Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free voice commands if you wish to use the Roam as a smart speaker.
Sonos has announced a Roam SL that is somewhat less expensive and lacks the built-in microphones. But, unless you’re adamantly opposed to mics in your electronics, I’d avoid the Roam SL. It only saves you $20 but eliminates several features, including automated Trueplay sound quality tweaking, the previously stated Sound Swap option, and (obviously) all voice interactions.
Number 3. JBL Charge 5 ($180)
If you want something a little more powerful, JBL’s Charge 5 is larger and more powerful than the UE Boom in terms of both dimensions and audio performance. I’m not a fan of JBL emblazoning its newest speakers with a massive logo; so much for subtlety. If you don’t mind that aesthetic decision, the Charge 5 checks off a lot of boxes in terms of functionality.
It’s a powerhouse, with up to 20 hours of continuous playback. Speaking of batteries, a unique feature of the Charge 5 is its ability to recharge external devices: there’s a USB-A plug for charging your phone or a friend’s phone while listening to music.
The Charge 5’s mono driver, which must downmix stereo content, is my main disappointment. When using mono portable speakers, there may be parts of a song or specific instruments that aren’t as prominent as they are on stereo speakers. And because the Charge 5 lacks the pure and detailed sound of Bose’s SoundLink Flex, it’s more obvious here.
