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Best bluetooth speaker under $50

Last Updated on September 27, 2023
best-bluetooth-speaker-under-$50

Even a small dedicated Bluetooth speaker can offer much richer sounds than most phone’s internal speakers, and if you want to listen to music on the go, a small Bluetooth speaker can be a great option for boosting the volume and clarity of your audio playback.

We’ve picked out a selection of budget-friendly speakers that you can pair with phones, tablets, laptops, and other Bluetooth devices. Using one of these results in an improved listening experience, and saves you from draining the battery from your devices by having them use their internal speakers at high volumes for prolonged periods of time.

There are quite a few good speakers in this price range, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the options that offer the best value, features, and performance.

Products at a Glance

How we picked

We’ve compared the options for a Bluetooth speaker in the range of $50 and under, looking at the different features and specifications of each speaker.

We’ve stuck with only speakers that offer IPX7 rating waterproofing, so these speakers will all be safe to use in the bathroom, by the pool, or out in the rain.

If you want a wider range of speakers, or if you have a slightly higher budget, check out our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers.

How we tested

The biggest difference between each of these models is the size and weight, where the larger and heavier options can put out higher volume sounds and offer higher capacity batteries, but the smaller and lighter ones are perhaps more practical for use on the go.

Our Recommended

Product Reviews

1
PROS
  • Durable design
  • Excellent battery life
  • Great sound quality
CONS
  • Design might not suit all tastes
  • Controls are slightly awkwardly placed
  • Limited range of colors

The unique wedge shape of this speaker immediately stands out and gives it a durable and practical design. It can stand on any side and has controls conveniently placed readily accessible at the end.

This speaker offers a power output of 14 Watts split across two internal drivers, and they are finely tuned to provide excellent quality audio playback, impressive from a portable speaker of this size.

The battery life of 20 hours is going to be more than enough, only true 24-hour party people will need more music playback without a chance to charge it.

2
PROS
  • Best in class battery life
  • Decent selection of colors
  • Great audio quality
CONS
  • Bland aesthetics
  • Most expensive option featured here
  • Weak bass playback

This is a fairly boxy looking Bluetooth speaker that is perhaps more designed to blend in than to stand out, which may suit some tastes. 

It offers the best battery endurance out of any of the speakers featured here, so if long battery life is a big priority for you, this is a great choice.

The 12W speaker output gives a decent audio experience given the small frame and lightweight design of this speaker.

This also comes with an 18-month warranty, the best of all the speakers included in this lineup.

3
PROS
  • Small and very lightweight
  • Fantastic selection of colors
  • Impressive volume for the size
CONS
  • Unimpressive battery life
  • Can’t match the volume of larger speakers
  • Distorted audio when volume is turned up

This is an individual-sized speaker designed around portability. It can’t match the volume of audio offered by any of the bigger speakers included in this lineup but does have the advantage of being small enough to easily hold and take with you on the go.

It’s the lightest speaker included in our roundup here, and to achieve that smaller size and weight, it’s had to compromise on battery life too. The 5 hours of audio playback might be adequate for some users, but it’s a factor to consider.

4
PROS
  • High volume output
  • Durable design
  • LED indicator lights
CONS
  • Unattractive design
  • Limited range of colors
  • Unimpressive battery life

This is a hefty sports speaker and puts out the loudest audio of any of the speakers in this lineup. It weighs in at 1.45lb, and so is the heaviest speaker in this lineup. Whilst it can offer big sounds, we were a little disappointed that the battery life couldn’t match some of the lighter options.

The design is built around strength and durability, AOMAIS even claims that it can withstand the pressure of being driven over by a car, but we don’t recommend trying that yourself. It features LED indicator lights to inform you when it’s turned on when Bluetooth is active, and it’s charging status.

This isn’t the prettiest speaker, but if you’re worried about how fragile some of the alternative speakers might be in precarious situations, this is a good choice for a practical and robust speaker that can take a few knocks. It also comes with a 12-month warranty, for peace of mind.

What to consider

Ultimately, which speaker is right for you is going to depend on how you plan to use it. If you’re looking for a small personal speaker, you can probably get away with a smaller speaker like the JBL GO2, but if you want to share music with other people, you’re probably going to want something with a bit more power.

What is IP rating?

IP rating is a certification program for guaranteeing protection against the elements like water and dust, and IPX7 rating means that these speakers are all safe to use in and around water.

Our Verdict

We’ve picked the OontZ Angle 3 Ultra Bluetooth Speaker as our to choice speaker because it has the most well-rounded features and design. It’s got a very impressive battery life, it produces great music playback even at higher volumes, and comes in a well constructed and durable design.