Wireless speakers have exploded in popularity in recent years thanks to wireless streaming technology that lets users beam their music to the sound system through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled devices like smartphones and tablets.
The benefits of wireless speakers are fairly obvious: because they’re cordless and don’t need a docked device to function, you can freely move them around your house or bring them with you outside, all without having to temporarily lose access to your smartphone or tablet.
It used to be the case that wireless speakers didn’t have a good battery life and cost anywhere between $100 to $300—a price point that many consumers felt didn’t justify the lackluster playback time. You can now find decent models that cost less than $50 and have over 6 hours of playback time without needing to be plug the wireless speaker in.
Here are our favorite wireless speakers under $50:
The Etekcity RoverBeats T3 continues to be one of the highest-reviewed wireless speakers on Amazon, and for good reason: in addition to its more-than-affordable price point of $20, it produces decent sound for a device that easily fits into the palm of your hand. The Etekcity RoverBeats T3 packs 8 hours of battery life during continued use, which is plenty for a long outdoor outing.
As a Bluetooth device, you’ll be able to connect the Etekcity RoverBeats T3 to a host of devices, including your laptop, smartphone, and tablet. You can also take advantage of the 3.5mm audio jack to provide connectivity for non-wireless devices like music and DVD players.
The SoundBot SB571 is the most stylish wireless speaker in our lineup, featuring a unique jagged mesh pattern and a muted but classy form factor. The SoundBot SB571 isn’t just fancy-looking though, it also has quite a bit of oomph thanks to the two 40mm neodymium drivers that power the SoundBot.
The SoundBot SB571 also has a decent 12 hour battery life, an audio jack for connectivity with non-Bluetooth devices, as well as quickly recharging battery. One bonus feature on the SoundBot SB571 that you won’t find on other speakers is the ability to see its battery life when connected with iOS devices.
There’s a lot to love about the OontZ Angle, including its heavily discounted price point (over $70 off). Right off the bat you’ll notice its unique triangular shape, which allows you to position it on virtually every surface without worrying that it’ll topple over. Geared for use with smartphones and tablets, the OontZ Angle is equipped with a Bluetooth antenna, though if you have a non-Bluetooth device, you can also connect any AUX device with a 3.5mm audio cable.
Perhaps the best thing about the OontZ Angle is its long-lasting battery life, which is rated at 12 hours of continuous playback. You’ll also get plenty of sound out of the neodymium drivers, which are specifically designed to reduce distortion, even if you’re cranking out the device at maximum volume.
If you’re even a teensy bit outdoorsy, you should consider the Omaker M4 as your go-to wireless speaker. Made from ruggedized rubber and featuring a splash and shockproof design, the Omaker M4 is a perfect wireless speaker to bring with you for camping, beach outings, and hiking.
Other benefits of the Omaker M4 include a long-lasting, 12 hour playback time, a fast recharge time of 3 hours, and the integration of Bluetooth 4.0, which allows the device to connect to your music player at a range of up to 33 feet. The Omaker M4 also features NFC technology, making it extremely easy and fast to pair with supported devices.
