(Credit: PCMag / Amazon / Best Buy)
Updated August 26: Need to upgrade your sound system, whether it be your portable Bluetooth boom box, computer speakers, home theater setup, or patio? We've for all the deals on sets of speakers, with carefully compared prices and detailed reviews. I spent hours reading through the audio offerings from all the major retailers to pick out price cuts on top-rated home theater towers, pocket-sized wireless speakers, and everything in between.
At PCMag, we use a harmonious method for testing speakers to compile all the necessary notes before you make a purchase decision. Each unit we take into the labs is tested with its primary connection method (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or wired connection) in real-world situations and then put through a number of quantitative comparisons. For units that work with TVs (like soundbars), we screen a selection of movies and shows with dynamic sound, potent sound effects, and assertive soundtracks. We also test other functionality for speakers with voice assistants, like connecting to Bluetooth and setting reminders.
JBL Charge 6 Bluetooth Speaker
Klipsch RP-640D Tower Speaker
KEF Q1 Meta Bookshelf Speakers
Sony ULT Field 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Onkyo Creator Series GX-10DB Speakers
Sonance Mag Series 2-Channel Outdoor Speakers
Bluetooth and Wireless Speaker Deals
For a great all-purpose Bluetooth speaker that's as comfortable at home as it is at the beach, tailgate party, or impromptu function, you can't beat the JBL Charge 6. We gave this pint-sized but potent boom box an "Excellent" rating in our review, with PCMag audio expert Mark Knapp commenting that it "offers a slew of improvements for only a modest price bump, which include a bigger woofer, upgraded waterproofing, a new carry handle, slightly longer battery life, support for Auracast, and a customizable EQ." A lot of care and thoughtfulness went into the design of this speaker, and its audio profile is loud, punchy, and clear. You can snag one at Amazon for $50 off right now.
Do you want even more detail about what makes a Bluetooth or wireless speaker the best? Then take a deeper dive into our top-tested picks.
Other Bluetooth and Wireless Speaker Deals
Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker for $129.95 (list price $149.95)
Klipsch The One Plus Tabletop Bluetooth Speaker for $185.99 (list price $289.99)
Ultimate Ears Miniroll Bluetooth Speaker for $49.99 (list price $79.99)
Even More Bluetooth & Wireless Speaker Deals
- Bose 2nd Gen SoundLink Micro Portable Bluetooth Sp... — $79.99 ($129.00) Save $49.01
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll Ultra-Portable Waterproof S... — $49.99 ($79.99) Save $30.00
- Beats Pill Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker (Matte Black) — $129.95 ($149.95) Save $20.00
- Sonos Move 2 Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker (Black) — $499.00
- Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Bluetooth Outdoor Spe... — $199.99 ($269.00) Save $69.01
- Get the Best Prices On Speakers — Download Our Free Price Comparison Tool $0
Tower Speaker Deals
For your home theater, the speakers of choice are going to be towers, because you want to ensure spatial audio and stereo separation, especially when you also pick up a subwoofer for room-rattling bass. Klipsch makes a wide range of consumer home theater speakers. The RP-640D is an attractive and high-quality unit, with 90x90 Tractrix horns, spun-copper cerametallic woofers, and linear travel suspension titanium tweeters in a modern design. If you don't like the exposed style, it also comes with a wrap-around grille that attaches easily to the front. Amazon has this model on sale for 31% off retail, making it our top tower speaker pick of the month.
Other Tower Speaker Deals
Definitive Technology DM60 Tower Speaker for $699.99 (list price $1,299)
MartinLogan Motion Dual Floor Speaker for $499.99 (list price $999.99)
Sony ULT Tower 10 Speaker for $898 (list price $1,199.99)
Bookshelf Speaker Deals
Bookshelf speakers occupy the midrange, delivering more audio presence than smaller units without requiring the floorspace that tower speakers do. They're ideal for smaller rooms dominated by shelving. The Q1 Meta speakers from KEF are simple to set up and interface with a wide variety of audio sources. What makes this speaker stand out from the competition is the integration of Metamaterial Absorption Technology, which incorporates a mazelike layer at the back of the driver that absorbs 99% of unwanted noise, yielding crisp, clear sound. An optional wall bracket lets you mount them to a vertical surface as well. Best Buy has the pair on sale for a $300 discount.
Other Bookshelf Speaker Deals
Edifier R1280T Bookshelf Speakers for $129.97 (list price $149.99)
Klipsch Reference R-40PM Bookshelf Speakers for $401.16 (list price $549)
Audiosource 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers for $149.99 (list price $229.99)
Portable Speaker Deals
Speaker size determines a lot about how loud they can get and how low they can go, so the incredible bass fidelity and booming volume of the Sony ULT Field 5 make it our top portable pick for the month, especially at a 35% discount. In our review, we raved about this attractive unit's features, including responsive tunable EQ through the Sony app, customizable LED lights, and IP67 dust and water resistance. It's a terrific speaker for just about any situation, and 25 hours of battery life is excellent.
Other Portable Speaker Deals
Ultimate Ears Miniroll Portable Speaker for $49.99 (list price $79.99)
Bose SoundLink Plus Bluetooth Speaker for $199.99 (list price $269)
Skullcandy Session 360 Portable Speaker for $39.99 (list price $49.99)
Computer Speaker Deals
These aren't explicitly designed for PC usage, but their small form factor and solid all-around sound make them a solid choice, especially at a massive discount. We reviewed the Onkyo Creator Series speakers and gave them a positive overall rating, noting that their audio profile was warm and rich for their size, with good volume and lots of connectivity options. They also have a subwoofer output if you want to hook one up for additional bass. They do rely on an external power brick instead of a built-in power supply, so plan your cable management around that. Although some physical controls are awkwardly located on the back of the speaker, the included remote means you never have to use them.
Other Computer Speaker Deals
Logitech S150 Computer Speakers for $15.99 (list price $19.99)
Drop BMR1 Nearfield Desktop Speakers for $71.12 (list price $99.99)
SteelSeries Arena 3 Computer Speakers for $149.99 (list price $169.99)
Outdoor Speaker Deals
Powered by Sonos technology, these all-weather speakers give you access to your streaming music anywhere. The 6-inch speakers can be easily mounted to most surfaces, and boast a wide frequency range of 65Hz - 30kHz with 89dB of sensitivity, great for all kinds of audio content from podcasts to party jams. These are wired, so you'll need to run power to their installation points, but aside from that they're a breeze to set up. See how they compare on our list of the best outdoor speakers.
Other Outdoor Speaker Deals
Wonderboom 4 Waterproof Outdoor Speaker for $59.99 (list price $99.99)
Sonance Mag 6.1 Outdoor Speaker System for $1,299 (list price $2,799)
JBL Flip 7 Waterproof Speaker for $129.95 (list price $149.95)
Do Expensive Speakers Really Sound Better?
This depends on what "better" means and on many of the things mentioned above. Expensive speakers are often designed differently than mass-produced speakers, with a focus on quality rather than factors like keeping the price in check. Some expensive speakers use higher-quality materials, which can lead to better sound, but design plays a big role here. Also, what sounds better to one person may not sound better to you.
What's a Good, Affordable Speaker?
Speakers can cover a wide range of uses, so there might not be a single answer to this question. Our favorite affordable computer speakers are the Creative Pebble Pros, which typically retail for $59.99 and have solid sound and real stereo separation. For spatial audio and Dolby Atmos compatibility, the Sonos Era 300 is a little pricier but offers professional sound quality and ease of use.
What Is the Best Bang for the Buck Portable Bluetooth Speaker?
In terms of cost-to-performance comparison, the super-cheap Tribit XSound Go is probably the biggest value on the market. At a ludicrously low $28.99 at Amazon, it's competitive in price with shoddy no-name dropshipped brands but delivers sound quality that punches way above its weight with dual 40mm 8-watt drivers for true stereo audio, a fully waterproof casing, and an included lanyard. Even at top volume, the XSound Go sounds clear and bright, making it a great bang for the buck.
Which Budget Bluetooth Speaker Should I Get?
If you're looking for a do-it-all smart speaker with decent sound that can also help with home automation and more, the Amazon Echo is a great choice at $99.99 and often goes on sale for less. For budget waterproof Bluetooth speakers, we like the Anker Soundcore Mini 3, which sells for $40.99. It's a pocket-sized powerhouse with adjustable EQ, high-quality microphones, and an IPX7 rating.
What Are the Best Speaker Options Under $200?
While it's possible to spend thousands of dollars on a speaker system, modern audio technology means you don't have to. We have tested hundreds of speakers extensively, and one of the best in the sub-$200 price range is the Editors' Choice-winning Beats Pill. It is a compact and potent portable that plays nice with iOS devices and retails for just $149.95. It doesn't get discounts often, but it's a great all-around speaker.
What Is the Best Speaker for Under $100?
We have a complete rundown of the best Bluetooth speakers under $100. One of our favorites is the Anker Soundcore Motion 300, which typically retails for $79.99. We gave it an Editors' Choice award in our review, praising its customizable EQ through the Soundcore app and LDAC support for higher-quality audio from compatible sources. It's definitely one of the best choices at that price point, but other good options include the JBL Go 3 and the Amazon Echo.
What Is the Loudest Speaker Watt?
Most of the speakers you might buy from electronics retailers are going to top out around 100 or 125 watts. These are your higher-end Bluetooth, bookshelf, home theater, and soundbar speakers. The majority of such speakers will be rated for 50 watts or less. In order to reach watts in excess of 200, you'll need to turn to public address (PA) speakers, like those used in conference rooms, classrooms, and event venues. Some PAs reach as high as 2,000W, which is enough to fill event venues with loud sound.
How Loud Is a 1,000W Speaker?
A 1,000W speaker produces more volume than anyone needs in their home. Depending on the speaker's efficiency and sensitivity, 1,000W is enough power to fill a medium-size event space with more than 100 people. This amount of power can produce in excess of 130dB, which is enough to cause hearing damage in a short amount of time. Unless you're throwing raves in your backyard or deejaying weddings, no one needs any home speaker or system that delivers more than 100 watts.
Does Higher Wattage Mean Better Sound?
Absolutely not. Many factors determine the sound quality of any given speaker, including the design, components, efficiency, sensitivity, and even the room in which it is used. Other variables include the quality of the source material (vinyl or MP3) and the type of power being supplied (analog or digital). Low-wattage speakers and amplifiers are easily capable of producing outstanding-quality sound.
What Are the Best Times of the Year for Speaker Sales?
We hunt deals all year long, and while price drops can happen any time, they're more likely to be timed to tech world events like Amazon Prime Day or holidays like Christmas and Valentine's Day. In general, the absolute lowest prices on most electronics surround Black Friday, the weekend after Thanksgiving in the United States. Another good time to shop is early January when many retailers have open box deals on returned merchandise from the winter holiday season.
Are Bluetooth and Smart Speakers Included in Prime Day and Cyber Week Sales?
Yes! Amazon's Alexa-powered speakers often receive the deepest discounts during sales periods. But Amazon is also known for knocking down the price for Bluetooth speakers from JBL, LG, Marshall, Soundcore, Sony, and others.
About Our Experts
K. Thor Jensen is a writer and cartoonist living in the Pacific Northwest. He has contributed to dozens of prestigious outlets, including PCMag, Tested, Clickhole, and Newsweek. His second graphic novel, Cloud Stories, was released in 2017.
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I’m PCMag’s Managing Editor for Consumer Electronics content, overseeing an experienced team of reviewers and product testers. I’ve been covering technology for more than 25 years. Prior to PCMag, I worked at outlets such as Android Authority, Fortune, InformationWeek, and Phonescoop.
