The Bluetooth speaker world is huge, so how do you tell what speakers are full of hot air and which are the real deal? The good news is, if you are budget-capped at $100, there are quite a few solid offerings for you to pick from. In the $50 – $100 price bracket, you start to see more specialization in design and utility, meaning, you get to choose a speaker specifically tailored and targeted toward your lifestyle.
So ask yourself; are you outdoorsy, the life of the party, a beach bum, host formal dinner parties, or just a prolific all-day music consumer? If you are any of these or any combination of these, there’s a Bluetooth speaker on my list below for under $100 that could be perfect for you.
For this list, I’ve excluded speakers under $50. To properly explore what’s available at a slightly higher price, the speakers on this list are all priced between $50 and $100
Related: The Best Bluetooth Speaker Under $50
Top Pick Under $100
What should you expect for $100?
Let’s start again by setting expectations. This is what I think the current benchmarks are when buying a Bluetooth speaker for over $50 but under $100.
Current $100 Benchmarks
Power
20 W
Waterproof
IPX 7
Battery
24 hrs
Power (Benchmark = 20W) You will see the mean power output for speakers within this price range is around 20W. It varies quite considerably with some 50W and 12W options on the list.
Waterproofing (Benchmark = IPX7) IPX4 to IPX7 are all common in this price range, with most speakers trending toward the maximum waterproof rating of IPX7. Interestingly, this price range sees the addition of dust-tight designs rated as IP67, meaning those speakers are waterproof and completely immune to dust penetrating the speaker’s body.
IPX Rating Refresher
Battery Life (Benchmark = 24 hrs) Between $50 and $100 you start to see longer battery life, and therefore playtime, advertised in product descriptions. Some speakers even advertise up to 40 hours at moderate volumes. That being said, some speakers still have shorter battery lives, 12-20 hours, these devices usually make up for it with other features.
You can expect an overall increase in build quality with better user interface feedback, more unique design layouts, better quality materials used in the speaker’s construction, and hardier handles, straps, and fasteners as you look at more expensive speakers. There are certainly expensive speakers that are made of cheap materials and feel shoddy, but we haven’t included any of those on our list.
A Curated Selection of High-Quality Bluetooth Speakers Under $100
Best Bluetooth Speaker Under $100
Often considered the most impressive of the Ultimate Ears line. The compact and highly portable design of the Wonderboom 4 is complimented by its affordable price tag. It is popular for casual music lovers looking to enjoy their favorite tunes while lounging by the pool or hanging with friends. With its durable build, you can take it just about anywhere.
Most Stylish Indoor and Outdoors
The Soundcore Motion + by Anker is an elegant but tough speaker that delivers the high-quality sound profile we’ve come to expect from Soundcore. The Hi-Res audio is delivered through two ultra-high frequency tweeters, two neodymium woofers, and two passive radiators. On top of that, the Soundcore BassUp technology helps drive the speaker’s low-frequency performance. The aptX codec delivers smooth lossless sound via a stable Bluetooth connection. This is a great speaker if you want to buy a speaker that would look great in your living room, and next to the pool.
Most Portable under $100
The JBL Clip 5 is an impressive compact waterproof speaker that carves out its own space in the market with its built-in carabiner that can be used to attach it to backpacks, bicycles, belt loops, and more. It gets loud, retains clarity at high volume, and sounds better than the previous Clip release. The inclusion of Auracast pairing, increased battery life, and the addition of mobile app support take the Clip to a new level.
70,000 Five Star Reviews
The JBL Flip 5 may have been replaced by the Flip 6, but with more than 70,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, it remains a reliable Bluetooth speaker that can be integrated into your daily life. Its compact and lightweight build makes it easily portable, and the IPX7 weather protection means you can basically take it anywhere, anytime. It is rugged enough to serve as an outdoor companion, and stylish enough to serve as your everyday goto speaker.
Best App Support
Soundcore’s Motion 300 is a mixed bag; it has outstanding app support, and its ability to dynamically switch between stereo and mono depending on its orientation is a useful feature. Additionally, it has great battery life and a durable design.
Best Value for Money
With 34 watts of power, the StormBox 2 offers many of the same features as its premium counterparts with similar quality and execution. However, most Tribit products are significantly cheaper than its premium competitors. Add to that great 360° audio and TWS pairing and you have great value for money.
The Most Bang For Your Buck
With 90 Watts of peak power, this W-KING Boombox gives you a lot of speaker for under $100. You’re not going to get the full 40 hrs of claimed playtime out of this speaker but it is still an impressive package at this price-point. W-KING speakers are made in China but they are one of the brands worth considering if you’re looking for a speaker that can deliver impressive volumes that will not break the bank.
Great For Everyday Listening
Despite playing in a competitive space in the market, the HD77 from Treblab can go toe-to-toe with bigger brands in performance, even at its affordable price point. While the Treblab HD77 may not be able to produce the bone-shaking bass you might be after in bass-heavy music, it provides just what you’d expect from a speaker of this size and is a great everyday listening speaker.
Full List Of Bluetooth Speakers on Amazon Under $100
What Do you get for $100 that you do not get for $50?
What exactly can you expect if you move the needle on your Bluetooth speaker budget from $50 to $100? Let’s look at some of the additional features and improvements you will see with this step-up in spending.
1. Improved Sound Quality
The first thing that will be noticeable is that these speakers often have better audio engineering, and can cater to a more discerning audience. You can expect:
- Larger Drivers and Passive Radiators: Drivers and passive radiators are at the heart of sound quality in portable Bluetooth speakers. Most speakers under $100 deliver fuller sound with richer bass, making music feel more dynamic and immersive.
- Enhanced Stereo Sound: You can expect a wider soundstage because, while not that common in this price range, you will start seeing speakers with true stereo drivers, and others that employ advanced DSP (Digital Signal Processing).
- Balanced Sound Profile: Speakers in the sub-$100 range will start to focus on clearer mids and highs, which will result in vocals and instruments that sound much crisper compared to entry-level models.
- Bass Enhancement: Bass boost modes or passive radiators that enhance low-end frequencies without distortion are much more common, though again, not widely available on Bluetooth speakers under $100, but over $50.
2. Advanced Bluetooth Technology
Admittedly, there are very few new Bluetooth speakers in any price range that don’t come with Bluetooth 5+ technology, this should be table stakes as you step into the $100 category. The only time you should be settling for a Bluetooth speaker at this price, without 5.0 technology is if you are specifically buying an older version of a more expensive speaker to stretch your dollar.
- Bluetooth 5.0 or Higher: Bluetooth 5.0 and up offers a more stable connection, faster pairing, and up to 50 feet range in ideal conditions.
- Multipoint Pairing: You will start seeing some speakers with the ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously, so you can switch playback seamlessly between a phone, multiple phones, tablet, or laptop.
3. Battery Life and Charging
Larger, stronger batteries cost more money, which will drive up the cost of a speaker. So it’s not a surprise that as you move from $50 to Bluetooth speakers up to $100 you will see batteries with a higher capacity included in the design.
- Extended Playback: Battery life is typically between 24 to 30 hours depending on the volume level and usage. This is enough for a full day of outdoor use or long indoor sessions.
- USB-C Charging: USB-C is slowly becoming the norm for faster and more efficient charging, with many models able to fully recharge in 2-3 hours.
- Battery Indicators: If you pay up to $100 for Bluetooth speakers it should have clear LED indicators to show battery levels. Period. In my opinion, no speaker should be without this, but surprisingly you still find lower-cost models with no battery-level indicators whatsoever.
4. Build Quality and Durability
Speakers in this range are often designed for both indoor and outdoor use, and as such is made from materials and with techniques that will enhance their durability.
- Premium Materials: You can expect rubberized finishes for shock absorption, reinforced corners, and high-quality plastics or metal grilles on many Bluetooth speakers for under $100.
- Water and Dust Resistance: Unless you are trading off another feature (like niche styling) for durability, you should expect a minimum IP rating of IPX7. You’ll start seeing some dust proofing included as well (like IP67) but it is not that common at this price point yet.
- Rugged Design Options: Some models are designed to withstand drops, making them ideal for camping or hiking trips.
5. Enhanced Connectivity
As mentioned above, Bluetooth 5.0 extends the range of the speaker up to 50 feet which offers greater flexibility for placement in larger spaces or outdoor settings. With that comes the need, and ability to pair multiple speakers together to enhance your listening experience.
- Stereo Pairing: Many $100 models allow pairing two speakers for true stereo sound, using one of the multiple speaker pairing protocols, so they can double as a compact surround-sound setup for small spaces.
- Auxiliary Input: If you’re lucky, you’ll find a speaker that retained its 3.5mm aux port for wired connections to non-Bluetooth devices.
- App Integration: Companion apps are often available to customize sound settings (e.g., EQ adjustments) or manage features like firmware updates and pairing modes.
6. Intuitive Controls and Smart Features
More buttons aren’t always better, but for $100 chances are you will get a speaker with well-considered and intuitive controls. you’ll also start seeing a few new unfamiliar buttons appear on the speaker to cater specifically to smart features.
- Enhanced Control Options: Some physical buttons will feature tactile feedback, which enhances the user experience. Also, it is not uncommon to find touch-sensitive controls for adjusting volume, playback, or toggling features like bass boost.
- App-Based Control: Every speaker and brand typically has its particular soundstage, but at $100 you often can access EQ presets, firmware updates, and pairing options through dedicated mobile apps. Very few newly launched name-brand speakers will not have app support these days.
- Voice Assistant Integration: While not that common in Bluetooth speakers under $100, you start finding speakers with support for Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa, allowing hands-free control of music, smart devices, or search queries. This requires a microphone of course, which will often also afford you the ability to make and receive phone calls via your phone-paired speaker.
7. Extra Features
As with all things, when manufacturers start competing for your dollar at a higher price point they often try to differentiate themselves through extra features. I understand that each buyer has their preferences, but I think some of these are solid, some are meh, and some are fluff.
- LED Light Shows: (Fluff) Some models, especially party-focused ones, feature customizable LED lighting effects that sync with the music. Light shows only work when they are large enough to make a real impact and create an effect. This is seldom the case with small portable Bluetooth speakers under $100.
- Speakerphone Functionality: (Solid) Built-in microphones often include noise reduction for clearer calls, making the speaker a convenient option for group calls or Zoom meetings.
- Better Audio Codecs: (Solid) Support for AAC or aptX codecs provides higher-quality audio streaming on compatible devices. Codecs can make a huge difference in sound quality and more modern faster codecs are always a plus.
- Power Bank Functionality: (Meh) Some models include a USB-A port for charging your phone or other devices, doubling as a portable power bank. I have had this on speakers for years and rarely use it.
8. Audio Performance for Specific Lifestyles
This is where I think the increased budget from $50 to $100 starts to get exciting. There are quite a few speakers under $100 that are tailored to fit a specific lifestyle.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Rugged, water-resistant models with long battery life are ideal for hiking, camping, golf, or poolside parties. If you are outdoorsy, your options open up when you increase your budget.
- Home Audio: For the homebodies you’ll find speakers with sleek designs and richer sound profiles that make them suitable for living rooms or kitchens.
- Party Mode: Features like high volume output, bass boost, and multi-speaker pairing start moving into scope so party animals can buy a portable party speaker targeted specifically at checking the boxes in social settings.
Final Word
Overall, Bluetooth speakers in the $50-$100 range strike an excellent balance between affordability and features, offering significant upgrades in audio quality, durability, and usability compared to budget models. These speakers are versatile enough for home use, outdoor adventures, and small gatherings, making them a sweet spot for many buyers.
Looking at soundquality, if you like movie kind of music like Ramin Djawadi, if you like voices and summervibe music, and if you have a broad taste in music. Which speaker would you recommend most:
The EU Wonderboom 2 or the Tribit Maxsound plus (or another?)
The characteristics of these two speakers cater to slightly different needs, but the Tribit would probably fit your needs better.
The UE Wonderboom has 360 sound and an IP67 rating. It has a Bass Boost Mode, which enhances bass in outdoor settings, though it doesn’t have a deep, cinematic bass. The sound profile is balanced, with a slightly bass-heavy focus. It’s great for upbeat summer vibe music and casual listening but not as detailed for vocals or orchestral music.
The Tribit MaxSound Plus offers more detailed mids and highs, making it great for vocals and intricate music, like soundtracks (e.g., Ramin Djawadi’s works). The bass is deeper, and more refined than the Wonderboom 2, which suits cinematic music better. It has a broader soundstage, making it feel more immersive for orchestral music and vocals.
If you’re looking for an alternative a better alternative to these two, at just a few dollars more get the Anker Soundcore Motion+ ($100-$110). Incredible sound clarity and deep bass for its size, with aptX support for higher-quality audio. It is slightly bulkier, but a superior option for audiophiles in this range.
I hope this helps.