Choosing
the best blue tooth speakers can be a bit overwhelming for music enthusiasts.
After all, you don’t want to compromise on the sound or the chic style but stay
within your budget as well. Luckily, with the boom in technology and the
increasing popularity of portable Bluetooth speakers, plenty of options are
available today – all costing under $100.
However,
before jumping into the specifications and other details, let’s take a closer
look at some of the key factors you should consider before buying the best bluetooth speaker.
Three key factors to consider before buying a Bluetooth speaker
Size does matter!
While most Bluetooth speakers are lightweight, making it rather easy to carry them around, some heavier options are also available. So before you jump into investing in one, try asking yourself whether you are looking for a portable speaker or if a hefty one works just as well? Once you have decided, look into the various bluetooth speakers under $100 and check for their weight and dimensions. You’d be surprised at how effective, and loud small Bluetooth speakers can be.
Battery woes
From smartphones to smart watches, laptops and even iPods, you already have too many things at hand that need regular charging. While looking for the best bluetooth speakers, it is important to know that since these little bundles of noise tend to be wireless, thus require charging from time to time. Having said that, you must consider the battery life of your preferred Bluetooth speaker and opt for one that has at least 8-9 hours of battery life. After all, the last thing you need while dancing to your favorite beats is for your Bluetooth speaker to run out of battery.
Audio quality concerns
For someone who’s going to be dependent on a Bluetooth speaker to make their house party a success, looking into audio quality is extremely important. From frequency response to impedance, sensitivity and even bass all greatly impact the audio output of a wireless Bluetooth speaker. As a rule of thumb, try sticking to a frequency between 20Hz to 20 kHz to put all your audio quality concerns to bed.
Best Bluetooth speakers under £100
The JBL Flip 6
Weighing only 550 grams, the portable cylindrical-shaped speaker comes packed with bass radiators on both sides, which pulses as soon as it hears a beat. Available in red, black, blue and grey, the Flip 6 consists of a sporty strap that can be used to slip the small, portable speaker over your wrist. Flip 6 has rubberized ends on both sides compared to the earlier version to protect it from any scratches or wear and tear. Unlike Flip 5, the earlier version, JBL has ensured that Flip 6 is dust and water resistant with an IP67 rating, thus making it an ideal partner at the pool and beach parties.
As far as the audio performance is concerned, the race-track-shaped woofers guarantee to deliver rich mid frequencies. At the same time, the separate tweeter stays in charge of maintaining clarity in treble tones. Despite the small size, this little music prodigy can easily reach loud volumes without causing any sound distortion and maintain a good handle even on some of the most complex rhythms. However, if you are in the mood to boost the sound even further, you can easily pair the Flip 6 with JBL speakers for a wall of sound.
Regarding battery life, JBL boasts that Flip 6 can last up to 12 hours of playback; however, you can also top up the battery with a USB C cable if you like. Nonetheless, the JBL Flip 6 is a great option for anyone who wants to sit back and enjoy the music simply.
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Anker Sound Core Flare 2
When it comes to smart home solutions, the name Anker never ceases to impress us with its improved versions of Bluetooth. Anker’s flagship portable Bluetooth speaker sound core flare 2 weighs just 1.3 lbs. and looks identical to the earlier version except for the LED ring at the top and USB-C charging.
Performance-wise, the sound core flare 2 sits on a rubber base, offers a great balance across the frequency spectrum, and is best suited to listening to at a medium volume compared to full volume, where the sound quality may suffer. Alternatively, the bass feature of core flare 2 may not be all that grand or pizazz as the JBL Charge but is still good enough when listening to it at 70% volume.
Another great feature that makes sound core flare 2 one of the best blue tooth speakers is the built-in speakerphone which most of its competitors lack. The feature becomes especially beneficial when users carry their portable Bluetooth speaker while traveling.
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WONDERBOOM 2
If you think that the first generation of Ultimate Ears Wonderboom was worthy of its long-standing five-star rating, wait until you hear about its second generation Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 bluetooth speakers. From its curved, robust design and strong winning sound to the wide range of new and improved features, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is definitely one of the best blue tooth speakers in the market today.
As far as the size goes, the UE Wonderboom 2 is incredibly lightweight, being no bigger than a baseball and delivers a cohesive and detailed sound with strong bass. While the little gizmo is still without a voice assistant or a built-in microphone, a micro-USB option is available for charging purposes. Moreover, the waterproof UE Wonderboom 2 claims to survive completely submerged under water for as long as 30 minutes.
On a brighter note, the battery life has increased to 13 hours, while a full charge still takes only three hours. Not only is the new model waterproof and designed to float, but it is also sand- and dust-proof, making it a perfect beach companion.
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In conclusion
So now that you know the different factors to consider while buying the best bluetooth speakers under $100 and some of the best options available in the market, buying one shouldn’t be so difficult. Remember! The final decision is yours! Act now – and choose a portable bluetooth speaker that checks all the boxes on your list. Good Luck!
Valerie Young
Valerie Young writes for Find Compare and is a writer and editor in London.
