Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $50 in 2020

Best
Bluetooth Speakers Under $50
Android Central
2020

Best Overall: Anker Soundcore Flare Mini

Anker sure knows its way around smartphone accessories, and the same can be said for the Soundcore Flare Mini. This 360-degree speaker will be the talk of the night with its unique design and a bottom-mounted halo of LEDs.

These LEDs will keep up with the party as they pulse and glow with the rhythm of whatever music is playing. The included IPX7 rating will also keep your Flare Mini safe from accidental splashes. Anker also made it possible to pair two Flare Mini’s to create a stereo-sound situation.

The downside here is that you will have to keep an eye on the battery, as the Flare Mini is rated for just 12 hours. Plus, you won’t be able to use a headphone jack to connect your phone, as there is no port available.

If portability and budget are the names of the game, then the SRS-XB01 from Sony is a fantastic pick. This speaker packs such an impressive punch that it’s hard to believe the sound is coming from such a small package.

The XB01’s EXTRA BASS tagline holds true with punchy lows that, combined with the six-hour battery life, will allow you to listen to your favorite songs with plenty of bass for long periods. Sony also includes a strap that can be connected to the bottom of the speaker, in case you want to throw it over your shoulder or attach it to a bag.

On the downside, the SRS-XB01 doesn’t have a ton of extra features. There’s no dedicated app, meaning you’ll have to turn to your smartphone or tablet’s built-in audio tools if you want to adjust the EQ levels. The Micro-USB charging port also feels a bit dated these days, but these are often the sacrifices you’ll have to make to hit such a low price.

When it comes to listening to your music or podcasts, you want to be able to hear them from wherever you are. That’s where a speaker like the Soundcore Motion Q comes in with its 360 degrees of sound.

The cylindrical design, combined with two drivers and 16 watts of power, make for an impressive package. As for battery life, you’re looking at around 10 hours, which should be plenty long enough for pool parties and the like. Plus, there is a built-in microphone for accessing your voice assistant of choice.

Of course, you can also pair two Motion Qs wirelessly for stereo 360-degree audio, and each speaker is feather-light at just 14.4 ounces.

It may not be a dedicated speaker, but it’s a popular choice. The last-gen Echo Dot gives users much to talk about while still having the ability to show off a bit when guests come over.

In addition to pairing via Bluetooth, you have the option to use the 3.5mm auxiliary jack or even pair over Wi-Fi to other devices. With Alexa built-in, you can control your smart home with ease, or get the answer to that question that is nagging at your friend during the party.

Sure, the sound isn’t the greatest, but you can pair this with another Echo Dot for stereo sound, or another Bluetooth speaker. The other big downside here is that the Echo Dot isn’t precisely portable since you need to keep it plugged in at all times. This can be a bit frustrating, but shouldn’t be all that surprising considering its lack of water-resistance.

As you look at different Bluetooth speakers to consider, many of them have the same old design: cylinders that pump out music at varying rates, shapes, and sizes.

The OontZ Angle 3 Ultra changes that with its unique triangular design so that you can cover as much area as possible. Oontz also includes an IPX6 rating for splash-resistance, but we wouldn’t recommend taking the Angle 3 Ultra for a dive. However, the most significant benefit to this speaker is the 100-foot range, allowing you to keep your phone with you and not with the speaker.

While that 100-foot range is awesome, you’ll still be stuck in the past with the Micro-USB charging port. The OontZ Angle 3 Ultra is also a bit heavier thank some of the other speakers on this list, so you may not want to carry it if you go for a hike.

There is nothing wrong with a Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t have a bunch of extra frills or a design that makes it stand out from the crowd. Sometimes, a great Bluetooth speaker is just your run-of-the-mill option.

That brings us to the Anker Soundcore 2, which doesn’t have any significant features to “wow” you. This speaker, however, does offer 24 hours of battery life, which is among the leaders on this list, along with IPX7 water resistance and Bluetooth 5.0. Take all of this, combined with the 12 watts of power, and you have a tried-and-true speaker that will work for every situation.

You may just want to keep a cloth nearby after the party is over since the Soundcore 2 is a fingerprint magnet. Additionally, you likely won’t want to play this at max volume if the sound gets a bit distorted.

Bottom line

It can be tough picking the best Bluetooth speaker, but the Anker Soundcore Flare Mini comes close. This speaker offers decent battery life, 360-degrees of sound, and some awesome LEDs that flash along with the music.

Plus, you can pair this with another Flare Mini for a stereo sound setup, which is perfect for any party or situation. Just don’t expect to have all the latest features as it is equipped with a MicroUSB charging port and just Bluetooth 4.2. Nonetheless, the Flare Mini will be capable of handling anything you throw at it, and then some.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Andrew Myrick is a regular freelancer at Android Central and iMore. He has been a tech enthusiast ever since the original iPhone was released and continues to flip-flop between devices. You might as well hook him up to an IV filled with coffee to get him through the day. If you have any questions, you can find him on Twitter, and he’ll get back to you.

Hayato Huseman is a recovering trade show addict and video editor for Android Central based out of Indianapolis. He can mostly be found complaining about the cold and enthusing about prog metal on Twitter at @hayatohuseman. Got a tip or inquiry? Drop him a line at hayato.huseman@futurenet.com.