5 Wireless Speakers That Bang for a Buck

By Kevin Gannon

As with buying any new technology, the purchase of new speakers comes loaded with questions and thoughts of potential buyer’s remorse. Is it compatible with my MP3 player or smartphone? Can I link it to those devices through a Bluetooth connection? Does it come with a remote? And, of course, the biggest of them all: Am I getting the best bang for my buck?

I’ve thought long and hard about all of these questions while deciding on the right wireless speaker for me. In my case, I’m a recent college graduate in need of something relatively wallet-friendly, sleek, and sure to fill my apartment with sound. After trips to various stores and trying out plenty of options, I found that these five were the best picks. A few are well outside of my price range, but maybe they’ll be the best fit for your setup!

Jabra Solemate

Right out of the gate we have the cheapest option of the bunch at $150 or less. The cutely named Solemate will certainly do the job if you’re looking for something affordable and able to withstand your favorite tunes and calls on speakerphone. The main downside is that the bass isn’t really present at all. That means it’s not the best option if you require those deep kicks coming through and rattling your walls during dance parties, or listening sessions. Still, it’s a powerful lil’ sucker and it’s got some other great reviews out there, just in case the lower price-tag worries you. It can be connected over wireless or Bluetooth, though there’s no remote included.

Jawbone Big Jambox

The Jambox is right in the middle of these picks price-wise, and was the most enticing after I read up about it on Verizon’s blog, The Mobile Life. They spoke with a Latin artist who used the Jambox as his main speaker at a party and sure enough, it worked great for the occasion. After testing it out myself, I can concur. It’s got a great battery life, which means you won’t have to worry about it turning off mid-party. The only thing is that you shouldn’t play it too loud if you’re listening to bass-heavy music, otherwise those kicks will get slightly distorted. It supports wireless and Bluetooth but doesn’t come with a remote. The price (usually between $250 and $300) doesn’t hurt either.

Klipsch Gallery G-17 Air

This Klipsch speaker caught my attention after I read this glowing review over at Digital Trends. I just had to check it out and hear the purportedly great sound quality. After listening to it pump out music for a good 10 minutes, I can agree that it’s a superb piece of equipment for its size. Prices can get out of hand (closer to $500) if you don’t look around enough, so do some snooping online. Unlike the others, though, it doesn’t support Bluetooth but it does have a wireless remote.

Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II

The Bose brand name is clearly a huge draw here, but as any audiophiles know, it can also mean a huge price-tag. Luckily this one can be found at around $300, which isn’t that bad given its solid sound and speakerphone capabilities. It also can handle any low-end that you throw at it, so don’t be afraid to crank the volume if you’re listening to bassy songs. Also, it supports both wireless and Bluetooth, though it doesn’t come with a remote.

Bowers & Wilkins Z2

While the Z2 looks fantastic and has killer sound, it was the one that was too far out of my price-range to consider a purchase at $400. Still, I had to test it out to hear the quality described in this Wire review, which nailed it in terms of describing the sound as “bright and full.” The worrisome bit, however, is that it’s really only for people using Apple products. And as we all know, not everyone is invested in iEverything, making the Z2 a miss for plenty of folks. Still, if you’ve got the deeper pockets and need a strong speaker with sharp aesthetics, this is a fine option. It doesn’t support Bluetooth, but it does come with a wireless remote.

Hopefully this roundup of wireless speaker reviews is as helpful for you as it was for me!

Kevin Gannon is a contributing writer and recent college graduate who enjoys covering topics on music and technology. He specializes in industry trends, album reviews, and music accessories.