The best Bluetooth speakers to soundtrack your summer

From palm-sized pocket rockets that pack a high-wattage audio punch to voice-activated, design-led sound systems that let you control your smart home without lifting a finger, Bluetooth speakers have come a long way since they were invented in the early 90s. 

‘The latest generation of Bluetooth speakers boasts all day (and night) battery life, aptX HD Bluetooth that can stream in high resolution, and voice control, for complete hands-free convenience,’ says consumer journalist Chris Haslam, co-founder of lifestyle website Brogue.

Below, you’ll find a round-up of the best Bluetooth speakers to suit you and your living room. From sleek do-it-all sound systems to waterproof warriors, whether you’re looking for a home cinema upgrade or kidproof all-rounder, we’ve got you covered.

The latest Bluetooth speakers look as good as they sound, so there’s no need to compromise on aesthetics or audio quality. From bold brass to classic walnut, choose a speaker that harmonises with your interior decor. ‘The Beoplay A9 is a striking speaker that will fit into any living room, almost like a beautiful piece of furniture,’ says Partner & Designer Sarah O’Sullivan. ‘The mix of the dark wooden legs with the soft, spherical shape of the speaker makes it a timeless and elegant design.

‘The modernist form of the BeoSound makes this another stylish addition to any interior,’ she adds. ‘This is premium design and technology at its finest.’

And it’s not just about looking and sounding good – the Beoplay and BeoSound speakers are as smart as they are stylish. Built-in Google Assistant allows you to search the net and control your home appliances with the sound of your voice.

‘Above all, look for a speaker that will sound good in the space you need it to,’ Chris advises. ‘A small battery-powered speaker will look great on the mantelpiece, but won’t fill your living room with sound. If you don’t intend to move it around, look for a mains-powered option with Wi-Fi and multi-room compatibility, so you can link it to other speakers in the house.’

The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex delivers omni-directional sound and will work as part of a multi-room set-up, while the Devialet range uses ADH (Analogue Digital Hybrid) technology to amplify rich, subtle details with exceptional precision. Film fan? Add a wireless subwoofer and Bluetooth soundbar to take your home cinema experience to the next level.

Get help around the home 24/7 with Alexa and/or Google Assistant. The latest smart speakers combine voice control with 360° sound and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can play music, set timers and alarms, get those burning questions answered and even control the thermostats and lighting in your home.

Short on space? Opt for a compact speaker such as Pure StreamR's Splash DAB+/FM Waterproof Bluetooth Smart Speaker with One-touch Alexa. Or get the best bits of a smartphone and smart speaker in one with the Google Nest Hub. You can easily view shopping lists, reminders and more on its 7” touch screen display. It’ll even answer your queries with helpful videos – just the thing for culinary emergencies.

Upgrading your trusty analogue system? Opt for an all-in-one. The Ruark R5 might look old school, but it’s packed with cutting-edge technology, combining an enhanced multi format CD player with aptX Bluetooth receiver, USB playback port and DAB/DAB+/FM tuners. 

Want to stream straight to your speaker? Naim’s award-winning sound systems are compatible with Spotify, Apple Music and TIDAL, as well as internet radio, so you can cut out the middleman. The compact Qb packs 300 watts to fill your living room with sound, while the Mu-So Wireless Bluetooth Music System uses six 75 watt digital amplifiers to deliver 450 watts of audio power. Translation: a serious bass kick.

Choosing a portable speaker needn’t mean compromising on quality. ‘The new Sonos Move is a great all-round speaker,’ says Chris. ‘It uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, has multi-room functionality and sounds fantastic for its size, whether you’re using it in the garden, kitchen or bedroom.’

Beautifully designed, the BeoPlay A1 is also lightweight, durable and has a handy strap that allows you to hang it up or carry it with you. The Marshall Kilburn II's stylish guitar strap handle makes it easy to carry from room to room, while the pocket-friendly Lexon Mino is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and doubles up as a selfie remote control, so you can get those snaps just right.

Waterproof, dustproof and shockproof, Ultimate Ears Bluetooth speakers are both life-proof and child-friendly. 

Sony’s SRS-XB32 packs a punch with its synchronised strobe lighting and Live Sound Mode for a ‘3D’ audio experience. You can even tap the speaker to add sound effects, from scratching to drum sounds.

And if you need a speaker that means business? The Bose Soundlink Revolve+ brings hands-free calling, Siri and Google Now to the table with true 360° sound.