When you really want to groove, your phone’s little speaker probably can’t do your favourite songs justice. But a Bluetooth speaker? It can seriously upgrade your music-listening experience, whether you’re catching some rays on the back deck, hosting a party or camping with the fam. Check out these nine models to find the best Bluetooth speakers for taking your tunes with you.
What type of Bluetooth speaker are you looking for?
Best Bluetooth Speaker Overall
Waterproof: Yes | Weight: 1.19 pounds | Battery life: 22 hours
This speaker is a great option for anyone looking to take their music to the cottage, on a picnic or just about anywhere else. It comes in 11 bright colours and features JBL PartyBoost, which means it can be paired with other compatible speakers for stereo sound.
| Pros | Cons |
| An IPX7 waterproof rating means this speaker can be submerged in up to three feet of water. | A few customers say that it doesn’t get quite as loud as other Bluetooth speakers. |
| One battery charge gets you more than 12 hours of playtime for music and podcasts. | It doesn’t offer a speakerphone function like some of its competitors. |
| Its durable design makes it tough enough for regular outdoor use. |
This wireless speaker is pretty light, but it is mighty! We have dunked this in the pool and it keeps working!
If you are not used to setting things up on Bluetooth, the directions are really poor. Find a person who knows how and it goes very quickly.
Best Bluetooth Speaker on a Budget
Waterproof: Yes | Weight: 0.6 pounds | Battery life: 6 hours
This little powerhouse (it’s not much bigger than a smartphone) is a budget-friendly option that’s ideal for everything from relaxing in the backyard to hiking and mountain biking. It’s easy to pack for travel and features a built-in microphone, which means you can take hands-free calls on the go.
| Pros | Cons |
| A built-in carabiner clip lets you easily attach the speaker to your backpack. | It doesn’t play music as loud as other Bluetooth speakers. |
| You can use voice commands to access Siri and Google Voice Assistant. | A few users report having issues with the charging port failing after a few months. |
| An IP67 waterproof rating means it can handle sand, mud and snow. It even floats in water. |
Great sound for the price and size. Perfect for the beach.
The charging cord is way too short! It’s only 16.5 inches long.
Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Waterproof: Yes | Weight: 0.46 pounds | Battery life: 5 hours
You’ll want one of these mini waterproof speakers for your next pool party or beach day. It offers superior sound quality at an amazingly affordable price, making it ideal for your favourite rock and pop tunes. It can also survive in up to a metre of water for up to 30 minutes.
| Pros | Cons |
| The Go 3’s compact design makes it easy to take on the go (you could even attach it to a belt loop). | The Go 3 only offers five hours of playtime on one charge. |
| It can survive a rainstorm during a jog thanks to its IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating. | It doesn’t feature as many controls as other models (e.g. there’s no back-track button). |
| It delivers deep, punchy bass. |
Great little speaker! It goes to a really loud volume without the sound being distorted. Great for on-the-go outdoor activities, trips, etc.
This speaker does not show battery percentage on your phone! Big no-no for me as I like to know exactly what I have left after a few hours.
Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Waterproof: Yes | Weight: 0.6 pounds | Battery life: 6 hours
Bose is a trusted name in the audio space and this tiny speaker doesn’t disappoint when it comes to sound. A tear-resistant silicone strap also means you can easily attach it to your bike’s handlebar or a cooler to take with you and its sturdy design will stand up to whatever you throw at it.
| Pros | Cons |
| An IPX7 rating and protective silicone make this speaker waterproof from the inside out. | It doesn’t stand up on its side, so you’ll have to prop it up or lay it flat. |
| Voice prompts guide you through the setup to help you connect your smartphone or tablet. | A few users report that it takes a long time to fully recharge. |
| You can connect two devices at the same time, so you can stream from a tablet and get phone notifications. |
Great to tote around anywhere and hang up or set up for some awesome-sounding music. Great for the beach, pool or gatherings, or just sitting on the porch chilling.
It is waterproof but does not float! (I had to feel around in murky lake water to find it.)
Best Bluetooth Party Speaker
Waterproof: Yes | Weight: 1.17 pounds | Battery life: 12 hours
Anyone who likes to play DJ at the party will appreciate the immersive sound this speaker offers. The best part is the vibrant light show emitted from two LED light rings that sync to the beat of your music (or you can set it to one of six different lighting modes).
| Pros | Cons |
| With an IPX7 waterproof rating, this speaker can stand up to spills, rain and even being dropped in the pool. | As loud as it gets, the bass isn’t as powerful as some other comparable models. |
| A four-hour charge will get you about 12 hours of playtime. | A few users say the voice assistant capabilities can be a bit unreliable. |
| With PartyCast Technology, you can link multiple Flare 2 speakers for a boosted sound-and-lights experience. |
Sound is great, loud and clear, the lights are cool and the interface and experience is top-notch.
The only thing I don’t like about this speaker is that it doesn’t have a handle to carry it around.
Best Bluetooth Speaker for Kids
Waterproof: No | Weight: 0.34 pounds | Battery life: Two to three hours
Little gamers and lifelong Nintendo fans will appreciate the fun, detailed design of this Mario speaker. It’s great for playing music or video game soundtracks and makes an affordable gift for anyone ages three and up (including kids at heart!).
| Pros | Cons |
| Users can stream music from a device up to 30 feet away, making it ideal for kids’ bedrooms. | The charging cable is very short, so you must stay close to the outlet if using it. |
| It’s easy to connect to your device, whether you’re using a tablet, smartphone or laptop. | The sound quality isn’t as good as other Bluetooth speakers. |
| The speaker can be used while it’s charging. |
Good for small ears. It seems to be built pretty sturdy.
Wish they had Yoshi too.
Most Stylish Bluetooth Speaker
Waterproof: No | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Battery life: 12 hours
Anyone who equally appreciates music and style will love this sleek Bluetooth speaker. It features 360-degree sound and offers a different experience depending on where it’s placed: in the centre of the room, everyone gets the same audio experience, but when near a wall, your music will radiate around you to fully immerse you in sound.
| Pros | Cons |
| One charge delivers up to 12 hours of playback. | This speaker is one of the pricier models on the market. |
| You can connect the speaker to two devices at once (so you can share the DJ role). | It vibrates when turned up loud. |
| Pair it with Amazon Alexa, Siri and/or Google Assistant to use voice controls and take calls. |
Easy to charge and transport. Battery lasts a long time. Sound is fantastic, and love that it pairs with other Bose speakers.
It’s a little heavy for a small speaker.
Best Bluetooth Speaker for Adventurers
Waterproof: Yes | Weight: 0.53 pounds | Battery life: 10 hours
Clip this speaker onto your gear and you’ll be ready to hit the trails with your favourite songs and podcasts. It’s small enough to fit in your hand but tough enough to take on the most active lifestyle. Featuring JBL Pro Sound, it also delivers surprisingly powerful, crisp audio.
| Pros | Cons |
| A single charge gets you up to 10 hours of battery life. | It offers limited controls (there’s no back-track button). |
| Clip the integrated carabiner onto a belt or strap for the ultimate portability. | It doesn’t offer speakerphone like some other comparable models. |
| With an IP67 rating, this durable speaker is waterproof and dustproof. |
I clip it on the outside of my pack and I have quick access to the buttons without having to take out my phone.
They should have made it so you can link it to other speakers. It was disappointing that they didn’t.
Best Smart Bluetooth Speaker
Waterproof: Yes | Weight: 0.95 pounds | Battery life: 10 hours
This versatile, intuitive speaker offers both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities and it automatically connects to either your home network or your phone depending on where you use it. It also features Trueplay tuning, which adjusts to the most optimal audio settings whenever you put it down somewhere new.
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s drop-resistant and waterproof up to one metre for 30 minutes (with an IP67 rating). | A few users say that the setup process is difficult. |
| You can use voice commands with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. | This speaker doesn’t always work well with public Wi-Fi networks. |
| It can be positioned vertically or horizontally and subtly directs sound for a better listening experience. |
The sound is amazing, the battery life is excellent and the most important factor for me… it’s compact and durable.
The only negative is it doesn’t really charge while playing even though it’s plugged in to the outlet. I wish it could charge and still play.
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Your Questions, Answered
What’s the difference between Bluetooth speakers and Wi-Fi speakers?
While both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speakers offer wireless connectivity, they work in different ways.
- Bluetooth speakers: They can be instantly connected to your devices, like phones and tablets. Your device must be within the range of the speaker for it to play uninterrupted.
- Wi-Fi speakers: You need access to a router to connect to a wireless network before you can access playlists and podcasts from a computer (or another device) on the same network.
What Bluetooth speaker features should you look for?
- IP waterproof rating: Look for an IP (a.k.a. ingress protection) rating of 7 if you want to ensure your speaker can survive being immersed in water; 4 to 6 is ideal for splashes.[1]
- Battery life: If you’re looking for a speaker to use in the shower, shorter battery life will suit you just fine. Campers will want a model that holds enough charge for at least one evening around the bonfire.
- Durability: Kayakers and hikers will want to look for a model that’s built tough enough to withstand bumps and falls.
- Lights: Some Bluetooth speakers feature cool lights, which make them ideal for parties and kids’ bedrooms.
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Article Sources
How we choose products: Simply put, we don’t recommend any products we wouldn’t buy ourselves. Our writers leverage a number of sources as a starting point, including reputable third-party reviews, Walmart.ca user reviews, and Walmart Canada’s category specialists. theHUB editorial staff has final say for all products included in this guide.
Any product claims noted are provided by the manufacturer, unless otherwise stated.
Prices shown are subject to change. Please check Walmart.ca for the latest pricing.
This article is intended as general information. Always be sure to read and follow the label(s)/instruction(s) that accompany your product(s). Walmart will not be responsible for any injury or damage caused by this activity.
