The best wireless speakers deliver outstanding sound quality without the need for a physical connection. By using your home's Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, these speakers let you enjoy music wherever you want, free from the hassle of cables.
Our top wireless speaker picks are packed with advanced features like voice control (supporting Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri) and compatibility with the best music streaming services. Many also come with dedicated apps, giving you the flexibility to customize your listening experience.
We’ve tested hundreds of speakers to bring you the best wireless options for every music preference and setting. This guide covers everything from compact, punchy Bluetooth speakers to high-end models that support multi-room audio and have built-in Wi-Fi. If you’re looking for a portable option, check out our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers. For those interested in soundbars, we’ve got the top choices in our best soundbars guide. But if you're ready to enhance your music experience, whether it's a party speaker or a complete multi-room setup, this wireless speaker guide has you covered.
The quick list
If you want to find out which best wireless speaker is for you in a hurry, you’ll find a roundup of our choices below. You can them jump to a more detailed review of every pick, along with our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals.
Best wireless speaker for most people
The Era 100 is a big step-up from the Sonos One that claimed the top spot before it. It delivers the same high quality sound but with a wider soundstage in the same compact design.
Best budget wireless speaker
Apple's smaller, cheaper version of the HomePod is an impressively smart wireless speaker in an elegant spherical design with top audio performance.
Best wireless speaker for sound
The Zeppelin lives up to its name with its iconic shape and great sound. It offers broad range and has a smart control app packed with loads of features, making it a perfect speaker.
Best wireless speaker for multi-room connectivity
This doesn't only have incredibly expansive sound but great features like access to Sonos' class-leading multi-room platform with AirPlay 2, plus 3.5mm line in and stereo pairing.
Best portable wireless speaker
This has been voted as the best Bluetooth speaker for the past two years and for good reasons. It's a lightweight smart speaker with big sound – what more do you need?
Best premium stereo wireless speaker
A true audiophile wireless speaker for those that are after luxury high-definition sound. We couldn't fault this when we tested it and gave it a full five stars across the board.
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Best wireless speaker for design
This stunning crescent-shaped hi-fi system is a luxury Italian speaker that sounds as good as it looks. It has a smart wooden top panel that comes in walnut and graphite colorways.
Best wireless speaker for spatial audio
The Era 300 completely raises the bar when it comes to spatial audio. Its array of drivers include up- and side-firing speakers that make it comes alive with Dolby Atmos.
Best wireless speaker if money's no object
There aren’t many speakers that look and sound as impeccable as the Beolab 8. The only downside? Its astronomical price tag. Regardless, this is in a league of its own.
Best retro-look wireless speaker
If you enjoy a vintage vibe, the Edifier D32 should fit right in in your home. You won't find booming bass and power for big parties, but this is a lovely-looking speaker that brings you high-res sound and style for a decent price.
I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer, so obviously I have strong opinions about the quality of speakers, whether that's at home or something pro.
Recent updates
October 3, 2024
Rewrote the introduction. Added the Edifier D32 as our 'best retro-look' pick based on our testing, appealing to those who like a vintage aesthetic.
The best wireless speakers of 2024
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The best wireless speaker for most people
The Era 100 is the latest smaller offering from Sonos. It replaces the Sonos One, which we rated as the best wireless speaker option for most people since it came out in 2016. Because of its premium upgrades, the Era 100 has a higher price tag than its predecessor, but also a deeper, fuller sound.
The Era 100 augments the Wi-Fi connection of the Sonos One with the addition of Bluetooth 5.0. When we tested the speaker, we found it pairs easily with anything – press a button on the back, and off you go. However, you’re likely to be using Sonos’ Wi-Fi to listen to music, which means you can play from basically any music streaming service within the app. The Era 100 also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, if you want to avoid the Sonos app.
One of the most significant new features here is that the Sonos Era 100 has two tweeters angled away from each other to create a larger soundstage. The goal is to deliver great sound wherever you’re listening from. During testing, we found the Era 100 performed well, creating a wider soundstage compared to the Sonos One that came before it when we compared their sound side by side. In our Sonos Era 100 review, we commented that this was particularly the case when moving off-center: “I did find the Sonos Era 100 to hold onto the quality of the mix more strongly for longer than in comparison with the Sonos One.”
The Sonos Era 100 also has a 25% larger woofer that gives the Era 100 additional bass extension. When we were reviewing the speaker, we found this to be an instantly noticeable improvement. We wrote: “There's way more thump to it when listening to something like electronic hits, and instruments such as piano get far more resonance to bring them closer to real life.” At times, however, the added bass did sound a bit flabby, “like hearing someone being heavy-handed when putting the dishes away – nothing's being broken, but you wish they'd be a bit more delicate with it,” we commented. However, at higher volumes, that effect smooths out.
We noted in our review that “the oval design very much follows Sonos' current design language, with a hard grille all around that is mercifully easy to dust.” We also liked the set of touch controls on top of the device and the switch on the rear to disable the microphone.
The only noticeable downside? It’s significantly more expensive than the Sonos One. “Yes, you're paying more to get more,” we commented in our review. “But in the tech world, we're used to paying the same to get more as technology progresses.” Having said that, the Sonos Era 100 is better than the Sonos One in every way, and there’s no doubt it sounds truly fantastic. “It's loud, it's got great range from low to high, it spreads its audio well, and when you ask it to, the Era 100 can really push it,” we wrote. So, anyone looking for big, high-quality sound from a small speaker can expect it to remain at the top of this list for some time.
Read the full Sonos Era 100 review
The best budget wireless speaker
For anyone looking to enter the Apple smart ecosystem or anyone with an Apple Music subscription, the Apple HomePod Mini is the wireless speaker to go for. It's far cheaper than some might expect, packing mighty sounds and an elegant design for under $100 / £100 / AU$150 – but you'll need an iPhone or iPad to set it up, so it's one for Apple users only.
And if you don’t have an Apple Music subscription, you’re limited in music streaming. For example, we discovered that you can't ask the HomePod mini to play music through Spotify – you’d need to enable that through AirPlay, which requires using your phone rather than the simpler method of asking Siri to play tunes with your voice. Using the speaker as a smart voice assistant worked well most of the time. However, in our testing, there were several times when lights would turn on and off on command, but then a lamp or plug socket would randomly stay on. Siri just isn't that smart, alas.
If there’s a single reason to buy the HomePod mini, it’s the sound quality, which delivered clear treble and smooth mids during our tests. Our review noted that “the bass isn't too heavy, vocals aren't lost in the mix, and when you pair two minis, the stereo experience is really immersive.” Of course, you’ll find a better audio experience with a bigger, more powerful speaker, but considering the Apple HomePod Mini is so small and affordable, it’s excellent. “It really feels like the right mix of value for money and sound quality,” we wrote in our review.
Design-wise, the Apple HomePod Mini is a small sphere – this is how it pumps out 360-degree sound – with clean lines and a grey or white mesh, depending on your chosen color. In our review, we wrote that “the latticed fabric housing blends nicely into the background, and the top glows with a pleasing light.” However, we did note there should be an option to dim or turn off the light at night if you’re using the speaker to listen to calming music as you sleep.
It’s also worth pointing out that setting up the Apple HomePod Mini is remarkably simple, using your iPhone. “It's easily the best we've seen for any smart speaker,” we commented in our review. “Especially if you've not owned a smart speaker before and are worried that setting one up would be a complicated business.”
If you're wondering about the larger Apple HomePod, your can still buy the Apple HomePod 2. If you’re not sure which is right for you, look at our Apple HomePod 2 vs HomePod mini guide, but essentially, the HomePod 2 would suit those looking to fill bigger rooms with great sound. For everyone else, especially if you like using Siri and have an Apple Music subscription, buying a couple of HomePod Minis instead would be an easy, great-value choice, because as the sound quality is exceptional for the size and integration with Apple’s smart home options is strong.
Read the full Apple HomePod mini review
The best wireless speaker for sound
The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin has had a few iterations over the years, but this model, released in 2021, is the best yet and our top recommendation if you’re looking for powerful and detailed sound with a punchy presentation.
The wireless speaker comes with aptX Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect built-in – plus, you get access to almost all the rest of the planet’s music stock via its clean, tidy and responsive Music control app. You can integrate all music streaming services via the app, including Qobuz and Tidal for hi-res listening. There’s also support for the Amazon Alexa voice-assistant, too.
Over the course of our testing, we found that controlling the Zeppelin via its app is both straightforward and intuitive. There’s even the possibility for some minor EQ adjustment, but don’t expect too much – Bowers & Wilkins has pretty much decided the sound for you.
First of all, it’s important to note that as amazing as the Zeppelin sounds, it doesn’t deliver ‘true’ stereo sound – you’d need a pair of stereo speakers for that. But it still sounds better than previous iterations. While putting it through its paces, we found that there's no denying its sound separation and soundstage definition. In our review we wrote: “No transient detail is too fine to elude it, and no subtlety of technique is too fleeting to escape attention.”
At 650 x 210 x 194mm and 6.5kg, it’s a fairly big and imposing device. However, throughout our hands-on assessment, we discovered that it doesn’t need a big space to stand on. Plus, the size shouldn’t put you off unless you’re looking for a speaker for a very small room, because it’s still good-looking and well-made. Our review commented: “Build quality is as impressive as you’d expect from the brand at the price.” Which is to say it’s a premium speaker with premium sound and a price tag to match.
While it isn’t a substitute for an actual pair of stereo speakers, the Zeppelin serves up a wide, well-defined and endlessly engaging sound, no matter the genre of music. It’s not cheap, but it’s our top recommendation if experiencing a balanced, detailed, full-range sound is at the top of your list of priorities.
Read the full Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin (2021) review
The best wireless speaker for connectivity
The Sonos Five is just one of several excellent devices in this list from Sonos' innovative, long-standing, and highly popular multi-room speaker lineup. Despite the availability of the Sonos Era 300 (also in this list), we've picked the Sonos 5 as our favorite for its particularly rich and room-filling sound.
The Five sounds every inch as detailed and musically pleasing as we've come to expect from the brand, delivering a powerful, punchy performance that can fill any room. During our trial period, we noted: “The Five is not interested in a shy, retiring sound – it's here to bring the bass and make you feel it, and we're not complaining.” However, our testing showed us that the speaker isn’t bass-heavy: “Listen to Fontaines D.C.'s Skinty Fia and you'll hear a low-end that, while impactful and unwavering, never bloats or muddies other musical passages such as accordions, drum riffs, angered vocals and keys.” Here, we have a detailed, open and powerful sound that performs well with whatever you want to play.
It’s worth mentioning that you’ll get the best sound if you use TruePlay tuning, but not everyone is granted that privilege: you'll need an iPhone. This process involves moving your iPhone through the air so the Sonos system can best adapt the sound to your space.
The Sonos Five features a simple yet sturdy design. It's essentially a large cuboid with a slightly larger grille portion at the front, and some hefty weight inside. The baffle is fanned out and angled upwards, a design element that aids in sound dispersal, ensuring an immersive audio experience.
The Five's regimented bass clout, undeniably classy audio performance and the Sonos multi-room platform are enough reasons to click ‘buy’ on this powerful wireless speaker – and it supports wired input over a 3.5mm jack. Our review commented that if Bluetooth streaming is important to you, you should look elsewhere – the Sonos Era 300 at #8 on this list would be ideal, since it support Bluetooth, plus a new lighter version of TruePlay supported by Android phones. But everyone else will find excellent value from the Sonos Five and an expansive sound big and bold enough to fill most rooms.
Read the full Sonos Five review
The best wireless speaker for portability
The Sonos Roam is our favorite pick if you're looking for a hybrid indoor-and-portable wireless speaker, ideal for travel and summer activities. It boasts powerful sound for a small box, a rugged design, excellent connectivity features, and smart home control for when you want to bring it indoors.
The Sonos Roam comes with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, which means it can work both as a portable speaker on the go, and part of your wider multi-room Sonos system when at home. With Google Assistant and Alexa onboard, it doubles up as a smart speaker, too. During our hands-on time with the speaker, we found the microphones could pick up voices clearly, even when music was playing at a medium volume.
It may be small, but the Sonos Roam packs a powerful sonic performance. This is thanks to the two class-H amplifiers inside, which have a high-efficiency motor that Sonos says increases the power and range of the audio output, as well as a custom racetrack mid-woofer, and a tweeter. A bass-heavy audio performance makes it ideal for use outdoors, while a clever Automatic Switching feature means it's easily used indoors, too – though audiophiles may dislike the overwhelming low frequencies and rhythmic handling. And while it's powerful for such a small speaker, we should make clear that it obviously doesn't fill a larger room with detailed sound in the way that larger speakers here do – but it should be good for a kitchen or bedroom, for sure.
One cool feature is Sound Swap, which allows you to ‘throw’ music from your Sonos Roam to another Sonos speaker. We found this to work seamlessly during our testing. In our Sonos Roam review, we wrote: “Being able to bring the Sonos Roam in from the kitchen to our living room and continue listening to our music on a surround sound system without messing around with our phone was wonderful.”
Despite its (relatively) low price, you’re getting a lot for your money here. Its slick design, about the same size as a water bottle, means the Sonos Roam won’t look out of place in your home, while its rugged, waterproof and dustproof build and decent battery life make it ideal for listening to music outdoors. Sonos says the speaker will bring you 10 hours of continuous playback, but during our testing, we found that to be closer to 9 hours.
Since the launch of the Sonos Roam, the brand has launched the Sonos Roam SL. It lacks a microphone, but otherwise, it's identical to the original Roam in terms of specs and a little cheaper.
Read the full Sonos Roam review
The best premium wireless speaker
The LS50 Wireless II speakers build upon the success of the LS50 Wireless, which impressed with their detailed sound and connectivity options. The result is a pair of stereo speakers that are the best you can buy today at this price.
One reason some people are put off by stereo systems like this one is that they assume they’ll be tricky. During our hands-on testing, we wrote that setting up the LS50 Wireless II speakers is “blissfully easy.” All you need to do is plug each speaker into power and connect them to your Wi-Fi network. You can then stream from the Spotify app using Spotify Connect or via Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, or Deezer through the KEF Connect app.
With support for Hi-Res Audio, an expansive soundstage, and excellent detail and dexterity, audio quality is nothing short of fantastic. In our review, we wrote: “We’re happy to report that the LS50 Wireless II stereo speakers continue to provide the phenomenal audio quality offered by their predecessors – and then some.” That incredibly well-balanced, detailed, clarified sound may not appeal to bass-heads, but it will to audiophiles. It boasts great stereo separation, and a wide enough soundstage to fill any room.
Not only is the sound great and setup easy, but you can customize it easily. This is because the app is easy to use and gives you access to EQ settings that can be optimized by where you’ve positioned your speakers. You can also adjust the bass extension and treble trim and set low and high-pass frequencies. We’re happy to report that, during our testing, we found that you can pretty much tailor the sound profile exactly to your needs and environment.
There are several color options to choose from, white, black, red, and gray. The system, as a whole, looks stylish and understated. It has a sleek cabinet and a copper-colored Uni-Q driver, which fits a tweeter in the center of the bass and mid-range cone. On top of the primary speaker, you’ll find a touch-sensitive control panel that also comes with an infrared remote control.
They're a little pricey, but they’re well worth the money. These speakers sound amazing, delivering premium sound that’ll fill your room. Add to that a vastly improved app, the ability to adjust the EQ settings, and a blissfully easy setup, and you have a pair of stereo speakers that can ddo no wrong in our eyes.
Read the full KEF LS50 Wireless II review
The best looking wireless speaker
Sonus Faber is well-known for its high-priced, luxury hi-fi equipment, and the Omnia is no exception. This is a sleek, sophisticated, and fairly big all-in-one system that we found incredibly easy to use thanks to comprehensive wireless connectivity, with built-in support for the major streaming services, AirPlay, Chromecast, and Roon.
The Sonus Faber Omnia is an all-in-one system that brings simplicity and ease of use thanks to its wireless connectivity features and built-in support for major streaming services, AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify, Tidal and Roon. There’s wired connectivity, too. You’ll find a switchable phone/line input to connect it to a turntable or other analog device, HDMI ARC, and an Ethernet port. Otherwise, you can control the speaker via your smartphone. If you’re on an iOS device, you’ll need the Home app to connect the Omnia to your Wi-Fi, while Android users can do this with the Google Home app. During our review, we found that setting up the Omnia was easy – follow the instructions in the app of your choice or use a wired Ethernet connection.
The Sonus Faber Omnia has a four-way closed-box system. This has seven drivers that are powered by 490W of amplification. Sonically speaking, it’s exemplary, with a wide soundstage, excellent clarity, and a deep bass response. During our testing, we were impressed by its stellar performance: “This is a powerful speaker that can soundtrack a party just as well as it can act as your TV’s main speaker in place of a soundbar.”
The Omnia may not sound as supremely detailed as Sonus Faber’s larger speakers, but it will still convey the minutiae of your favorite tracks with aplomb. In our review, we wrote: “It really shines in its presentation of close-mic vocals. In Eva Cassidy’s rendition of What A Wonderful World, the raspiness of her voice comes across with exquisite detail.”
The system has a tactile lacquered wooden surface that lights up when you interact with it. As we wrote in our review, we’ve seen for ourselves how these speakers are made and can confirm that plenty of care goes into picking the right wood, sanding it down, and preparing it by hand. Consider that this is a larger speaker, so although it looks sleek and sophisticated enough to elevate any home, you’ll need space.
This is a luxury speaker with a price tag to match. This means it’s only the right choice for people willing to invest in their sound system. But if you’re an audiophile with a big budget and want an option that works with your favorite streaming services at the touch of a button, the Sonus Faber Omnia is a top choice.
Read the full Sonus Faber Omnia review
The best wireless speaker for spatial audio
Sonos was generous enough to launch two new wireless speakers into its range in 2023. The Era 100 is at the top of this list, while the Era 300 is the more premium version, and we went as far as to say in our review that it is on a whole new level when it comes to dispersing sound.
It's a very flexible speaker, and by far the best if you want to set up a Sonos surround system. You can also access the Sonos app to support AirPlay 2, Bluetooth 5.0, line-in, Hi-Res Audio and (of course) Dolby Atmos. Unlike previous Sonos products, the Era 300 supports a new type of room tuning tech called TruePlay Quick Tuning that works with both iOS and Android devices. You play a sound on your phone and the speaker listens and adjusts to your room.
The Sonos Era 300 sounds amazing in every conceivable way. First of all, we were blown away by the levels of detail on offer here. In our Sonos Era 300 review we wrote: “It elevates voices in the mix better than anything else I've heard at this size or price.” At times, we were slightly disappointed by the bass, which didn’t hit quite as deep as we expected, but we did note that it improved at higher volumes.
The speaker sounds so good for all sorts of reasons, but most notably, it’s the first speaker from Sonos with Dolby Atmos support. Thanks to up- and side-firing speakers, its spatial audio is also next-generation, which is the biggest differential factor of the two Era offerings and the main reason we would choose the 300 over the 100. This was really obvious during our sound tests, where we noted: “The Sonos Era 300 may be the most well-dispersed soundstage I've heard from a single speaker.”
The Sonos Era 300 has an unusual squashed cylinder shape, but that’s because it needs to have multiple angled speakers and horn shapes for its compression drivers. Still, Sonos has done a good job at making it look sleek and stylish, like the rest of its devices. One thing to note, however, that we picked up on during testing is that you can’t put it on a set of shelves where it’s covered at the top or on its sides. It must be in the open to blast soundwaves up and to the sides.
The Sonos Era 300 is great as a high-quality, super-flexible speaker. It’s not cheap, but it's not the most expensive wireless speaker either. Instead, it delivers exceptional audio prowess that most affordable speakers can’t touch, but you can opt for even more premium models if you want more bass extension. We also think that hi-fi fans may prefer the more traditional sound and style of the Sonos Five, which is why it sits higher on this list.
Read the full Sonos Era 300 review
Check out our Sonos discount codes for our latest deals and savings.
The best wireless speaker if money is no object
The Bang & Olufsen Beolab 8 looks just as elegant as it sounds. Its only real downside? The eye-wateringly high price tag that comes attached to it. While the Danish audio brand is known for making high-end audio gear, the Beolab 8 is the epitome of its expensive reputation, costing $2,749 / £2,199 / AU$4,499 for a single speaker.
You do get a lot for what you pay for, though. In terms of connectivity, there’s dual-band Wi-Fi alongside Bluetooth 5.3, including AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify, and Tidal Connect. It also packs a DAC that supports 24bit/192kHz Hi-Res Audio. Using B&O’s Mozart platform, you can pair several Beolab 8 speakers together and use the control app to calibrate them to your environment.
There are also plenty of ways to install the speaker into your stereo or home theater setup. No matter whether you’d prefer the table, wall bracket or floor stand, there’s a lot of flexibility on offer to show off this elegant looking speaker and we found all to work well during our testing.
From the top all the way through the mids and low end of the frequency range, the Beolab 8 delivers an expansive, energetic and exciting sound quality. In our review, we said that “there’s an articulacy to the way the Bang & Olufsen handles the midrange that’s by no means a given in any speaker – even one as optimistically priced as this one”. We also wrote that these are some of the best wireless speakers we’ve ever tested. The only downside? We recommend you don’t listen to it at big volumes – that can skew the speaker’s sonic balance a little.
The speaker has a simple but bold design, and it’s impeccably well made and finished. At 189 x 290 x 165mm, the Beolab 8 is big enough to look like it means business – after testing it for ourselves for several weeks, we know it stands out in any room. Having said that, it is small enough to be either decorative or discreet, depending on what you prefer and how you position it. There are several slightly different shades and finish options. You’ll get ‘natural’ aluminum with a gray ‘mélange’ grille on a table stand for the lowest price – which is still incredibly high – and you'll have to pay more for a ‘gold tone’ with a light oak grille or ‘black anthracite’ with dark oak grille.
There’s no denying this is one exceptionally good-looking and excellent-sounding speaker. But does it justify its high price tag? That comes down to what you value the most. If it’s the best possible build and sound quality, and super-cool design, then this hits the brief and some.
Read the full Bang & Olufsen Beolab 8 review
The best retro-look wireless speaker
If you want a wireless speaker that's a little more groovy, then we recommend the Edifier D32. Other options in this guide might look more brutalist and futuristic, but if your aesthetic leans more towards retro, then this is the pick for you. The good news is it also brings you great audio and a decent price tag.
The Edifier D32 wireless speaker sounds very good. In our review, we said that it served up "clean, balanced, delicate sound". Its standout audio skills were in its handling of the treble and midrange, but it did lack the powerful sub-bass that you'd want for a party or if you just love bass. The accompanying Edifier ConneX app allows you to tweak the sound thanks to EQ presets, but other than that there aren't many additional features.
The Edifier D32 looks great on paper where specs are concerned. There's high-res audio support with LDAC and ALAC (when using Apple's AirPlay), as well as Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, and several wired connectivity options with AUX and USB-C. The battery will last 11 hours, which is on par with competitors but does mean it's not the best out there for stamina.
Of course, the Edifier D32's main selling point is its looks. This is a tabletop speaker that has a striking golden grille on the front and a textured exterior, which makes it look like a tiny amp. This design won't appeal to everyone, the gold detailing is very noticeable, but if you like the retro vibe and you're looking for a reliable wireless speaker that sounds great an an affordable price, it's a solid choice.
Read our full Edifier D32 review
How to choose the best wireless speaker
It's not easy when the market is awash with wireless, cubes, oblongs, teardrops cylinders and cushions all claiming to be the best, is it? If casting music from your phone or any other Bluetooth device is important to you, a Wi-Fi only connection (even if it uses Apple AirPlay 2) may not be sufficient.
But when it comes to picking a new wireless speaker for your home, room-filling sound is key, so look for models that feature 360-degree grilles and disperse audio at all angles. If it's true audio fidelity you're after, opt for trusted brands such as Sonos, Bowers & Wilkins and KEF – speakers from these companies are always likely to sound brilliant.
If you have an iPhone or an iPad, it might also be worth checking out the best AirPlay speakers, which allow you to stream music, podcasts or audiobooks directly from your devices to your speaker. That means room-filling sound from your phone without the need for a more complex entertainment set-up. With so many fantastic home wireless speakers on the market right now, we’ve selected and ranked only the best ones to include in this buying guide.
What are the best wireless speaker brands to look out for?
It really depends on what kind of speaker you're after. If you want multi-room connectivity and excellent sound, look for home speakers from Sonos.
Need a smart speaker? Check out models in the Google Nest and Amazon Echo ranges (and if you're a Siri user, Apple). Bear in mind though, you're not stuck with these brands if you need a voice assistant, as many third-party speakers come with Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility.
If it's pure audio fidelity you're after, brands like KEF, Naim, and Devialet are worth looking into. And, for portability, check out the likes of JBL, Ultimate Ears, Bose, and Urbanista.
What is the difference between these wireless speakers and a Bluetooth speaker?
The key difference about what's in this guide compared to our list of the best Bluetooth speakers lies in Wi-Fi support. Wireless speakers often connect via Wi-Fi, which provides a more stable and high-quality audio stream. That’s because the Wi-Fi connection allows larger data transmissions, which results in better sound quality, especially with high-resolution audio files. Wi-Fi speakers can also connect to multiple devices simultaneously, making them ideal for multi-room setups controlled via apps.
In contrast, Bluetooth speakers connect directly to devices like smartphones, tablets, or laptops using Bluetooth. While convenient and portable, Bluetooth has a shorter range and can be more prone to signal interference and compression, which can affect audio quality.
However, when considering the difference between wireless speakers and Bluetooth speakers, it’s also worth considering that most of the best wireless speakers also have Bluetooth built-in, bringing you both options.
Wi-Fi is relatively uncommon in portable speakers, because it uses a lot more power than Bluetooth, and usually requires a network to connect to. However, there are some portable options in this guide.
What are the disadvantages of wireless speakers?
There’s a lot to love about wireless speakers, but they do have some disadvantages compared to wired speakers. One of the main drawbacks is that they’re dependent on a stable Wi-Fi network. This means that if your Wi-Fi signal is weak or inconsistent, you might experience interruptions or poor sound quality. Setting up wireless speakers can also sometimes be more complex, requiring apps and network configurations.
Another potential downside is latency. Wireless connections can sometimes introduce a slight delay in audio transmission. This could be noticeable when you’re watching videos or playing games. Battery life can also be a concern for portable wireless speakers, as they’d need regular charging.
Can I use a turntable with wireless speakers?
Yes, you can likely use one of the best turntables with wireless speakers, but exactly how will depend on the speakers or the turntable. The simplest option is, of course, if your turntable has wireless capabilities. There are products like the Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 that can broadcast Bluetooth to headphones or wireless speakers, while some support Wi-Fi to play to certain wireless system, such as the Sonos-friendly Victrola Stream Carbon.
However, a lot of wireless speakers have wired inputs, and they always have their own built-in amplification, so these can be connected to a turntable use RCA wired cabling… as long as either the turntable or wireless speaker has a phono stage pre-amp built in. This is common in turntables, but much less common in speakers, so make sure you've got this somewhere in there.
Finally, there are adapters that you can plug a turntable into to add wireless transmission to them, such as a WiiM Pro Plus or a Sonos Port.
How we test the best wireless speakers
At TechRadar we get our hands on many wireless speakers throughout the year, which means we know which features and specs to look for – and we know that the best ones can sound just as good as a traditional stereo speaker system if you treat them right.
It's important for us to compare the performance of these speakers against the specs claimed by their manufacturers, so we take the time to make sure the claims are legit.
We make sure to test a speaker against its chief competitors for sound and features, such as multi-room compatibility and app support, so you can be sure that the product is the best if we say it is. We live with these speakers in our homes to make sure that their performances are consistent, and we don't finalize our testing until we are certain of the sound quality.
We test the audio performance using a range of musical genres and stream from various sources, to ensure that these speakers can handle everything from thumping dance tracks to softly-spoken podcasts.
After years testing all of the latest audio tech, we are truly confident that our star-rated reviews are the best indication of the quality of the wireless speakers in this list. There are no sales teams involved in our verdicts, which means if we don't like it for sound, design, usability and features, we simply won't recommend it here.
The latest updates to this best wireless speakers guide
October 3, 2024
Rewrote the introduction. Added the Edifier D32 as our 'best retro-look' pick based on our testing, appealing to those who like a vintage aesthetic.
August 5, 2024
Checked all products against our latest reviews. Added more information to our FAQ section to help with key queries about wireless speakers.
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June 5, 2024
Checked reviews against our latest reviews. Expanded our write-ups of each product to make it easier to see where their strengths and weaknesses are.
February 13, 2024
Added the Bang & Olufsen Beolab 8 as the best money no object wireless speaker you can buy and reviewed current rankings against available models.
December 13, 2023
Checked rankings against recent reviews and made some small copy enhancements throughout the guide to make sure nothing was out of date.
September, 6 2023
While no new reviews are in yet, we decided to remove the Marshall Stanmore due to it being succeeded by second and third generation models.
July 18, 2023
Introduced a new quick list navigation, lead image and reordered list, adding in Sonos' new Era 100 and Era 300 speakers.
