- Home
- Audio / Video
- Product Reviews
- Speaker Reviews
Speaker Reviews
About
Honest speaker and speaker system reviews by Digital Trends’ experienced reviewers. Compare the latest models based on rating, manufacturer, features, and more.
Beats Pill (2024) speaker review: the best portable for under $200
The Beats Pill is back and better than ever, with a much lower price, much bigger battery, and sound quality that — ahem — beats the best.
JBL PartyBox Stage 320 speaker review: power, clarity, and karaoke on wheels
If you're a DJ or just someone who wants clean, great-sounding volume and fun party features for your gatherings, the JBL PartyBox Stage 320 is a solid buy.
JBL Xtreme 4 review: a sweet-sounding battery beast with AI smarts
The JBL Xtreme 3 is a tough act to follow, but the Xtreme 4's 30-hour battery, AI smarts, and gorgeous, clear sound make it 2024's Bluetooth speaker to beat.
Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: simply dynamite
The $250 Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is powerful, waterproof, and rugged, making it the Bluetooth speaker to get for listening to care-free summer tunes.
Bose SoundLink Max review: back to Bluetooth form
The Bose SoundLink Max Bluetooth speaker sounds great whether indoors or powering the party outdoors, without trying to do too much more than that.
Skullcandy Barrel review: a boombox that won’t blow up your wallet
If you're looking for a great-sounding, kinda portable Bluetooth speaker to take to the cottage or to the pool, the $180 Skullcandy Barrel is a great choice.
Anker Soundcore Boom 2 review: big fat bass, skinny price, and it floats!
Want big, smooth bass you can take to the pool? The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 is a floatable, rugged, $130 Bluetooth speaker that punches well above its weight.
Klipsch Nashville review: a rugged, backpack-ready Bluetooth speaker
The Klipsch Nashville Bluetooth speaker is a good-sounding, simple, and rugged Bluetooth speaker that will make a great addition to your summer listening.
Kanto Audio Ora review: tiny, but mighty desktop speakers
Canadian speaker maker Kanto Audio is no stranger to small speakers that pack a punch, and the Ora Reference Desktop Speakers are no different.
Soundboks 4 review: loud enough for a whole city block
The Soundboks 4 is a refined iteration of the venerable party speaker. Just take care to plan out how long you want to use it on battery.
Senic MoodPlay review: a fun but pricey toy for the Sonos fan who has everything
Senic's MoodPlay is like a digital turntable for Sonos, giving you access to your favorite music with a tap of a card.
JBL PartyBox Ultimate speaker review: there’s no party it can’t power
The JBL PartyBox Ultimate is the company's biggest and loudest party speaker yet, but its sound is remarkably clean and its Wi-Fi connectivity gives it an edge.
Soundcore Motion 300 review: great sound, even better price
Soundcore's Motion 300 might be similarly equipped to other Bluetooth speakers, but its price and sound set it apart.
Sonos Move 2 review: same body, better soul
The Sonos Move 2 improves on the first-gen Move speaker with better battery life, better sound, and more features. But Google fans may want to look elsewhere.
Nakamichi Dragon 11.4.6 home surround sound system review: bringing the fire
Nakamichi has unleashed the Dragon 11.4.6 surround system and I put it through its paces to see if the Dolby Atmos system really is the stuff of legend.
Amazon Echo Pop Review: a perfectly priced Alexa
The Amazon Echo Pop is the least expensive way to get into the Alexa ecosystem — and you basically get what you pay for. Which is good.
LG XBoom XL7 review: a thunderous karaoke party speaker on wheels
Looking to rock your neighbors or belt out karaoke tunes into the night? The LG XBoom XL7 is the portable party speaker and light show to help you do it.
Anker Soundcore Motion X600 review: a mini metal boombox
With a sleek metal and aluminum shell, the Anker Soundcore Motion X600 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that looks as good as it sounds.
Sonos Era 300 review: the best wireless audio system gets its best speaker yet
With outstanding sound for stereo and Dolby Atmos Music, the Sonos Era 300 wireless smart speaker is the complete package.
Sonos Era 100 review: bigger sound, better features
Sonos' newest entry-level wireless smart speaker packs plenty of new features and much more immersive sound – just don't say, hey, Google.
Klipsch The Nines review: way too much fun for just one box
Klipsch builds on the popularity of its HDMI-armed The Fives with a bigger, badder version called The Nines.
Klipsch The Sevens review: skip the AVR and subwoofer; this is all you need
Can a set of powered stereo speakers replace a soundbar? Absolutely. Especially if they're Klipsch's The Sevens.
Marshall Middleton review: a road-worthy portable powerhouse
Marshall's Middleton Bluetooth speaker does its classic guitar amp lineage proud with a sound that's big and clear and a sturdy gig-worthy design.
JBL Pulse 5 review: decent sound, trippy lava-lamp light show
The JBL Pulse 5 Bluetooth speaker isn't going to blow you away with its sound, but it might with its beautifully trippy lava-lamp lights and waterproof design.
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) review: two is better than one
One second-generation Apple HomePod is great. But it really starts to shine when you put two of them together.
Q Acoustics M20 HD review: not just any old Bluetooth speakers
The Q Acoustics M20 HD Powered Wireless Music System punches well above its weight and shouldn't be dismissed as just another set of desktop Bluetooth speakers.
Trettitre TreSound 1 review: a sleek mountain of mediocre sound
The elegant shape and quality construction of Trettitre's TreSound 1Bluetooth speaker are undermined by poorly balanced sound, with no adjustments or features.
Bluesound Pulse M review: precision sound for any room
For those who want Sonos capabilities in a speaker that meets a slightly higher standard of audiophile performance, the Bluesound Pulse M is a worthy choice.
Monoprice DT-3BT review: Budget speakers that deserve a spot on your desk
The Monoprice DT-3BT powered Bluetooth speakers are a basic, budget, but better-than-expected set of desktop speakers that sound great for the price.
Sonos Sub Mini review: The low-end finally costs less
For far too long, Sonos fans have had only one, very expensive subwoofer option. With the Sub Mini, choice has finally arrived. Was it worth the wait?
Fluance Ai81 Elite speaker review: Power from the towers
The Fluance Ai81 powered floorstanding speakers are far more than your average pair of Bluetooth speakers, from design and setup to actual sound.
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3: still a solid buy despite only minor improvements
This go-anywhere mini Bluetooth speaker sounds pretty good, looks pretty good, and is built like a tank.
Marshall Emberton II and Willen review: A stylish set of Bluetooth speakers you can take anywhere
Marshall's Emberton II and Willen Bluetooth speakers mix retro styling, waterproofing, and sonic pleasure in two different shapes and sizes.
Audio / Video News
Headphones
Audio / Video Reviews
Music Streaming Services
Section Editor, Audio/Video
Phil spent the 2000s making newspapers with the Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal, the 2010s with Android Central and then the personality behind Modern Dad, and is currently an editor with Digital Trends. Phil’s online work has taken him all over the United States, as well as Europe and Asia.
When he’s not writing, editing, or shooting video, Phil serves as president of the Pensacola Youth Soccer 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has worked on multiple local political campaigns and is a part-time photographer and videographer. He’s also a candidate for Pensacola City Council, District 1.
Phil is a native of Pensacola, where he resides with his wife, daughters and a dog named Max.
Find Phil on Mastodon, or on Threads.