Let’s be honest, more often than not, your budget will determine what you can (or should) buy. So, if you’re a budget-conscious shopper looking for the best Bluetooth speaker under $50 where do you start? Start right here. We’ve put together a list of the best Bluetooth speakers under 50 bucks for you. Let’s do some expectation setting first.
Related: The Best Bluetooth Speaker Under $100
What should you expect for $50?
In our guide at the end of this article, we tell you what you should look for when buying any Bluetooth speaker, regardless of price. But what should you expect when shopping for a Bluetooth speaker under 50 bucks? What are the compromises and what are the current benchmarks?
Current $50 Benchmarks
Power
Waterproof
Battery
Power (Benchmark = 30W) You will see most speakers within this price range are around or just under 30W. Higher wattage = higher price.
Waterproofing (Benchmark = IPX6) Waterproofing costs manufacturers money to implement, so sometimes to keep the price under $50 you will see IP ratings like IPX4, IPX5. There are a few IPX7 speakers on this list but we think the mean is around IPX6. If a high IPX rating is a must for you, take a look at our article covering the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers.
IPX Rating Refresher
Battery Life (Benchmark = 24 hrs) For obvious production cost reasons most of the speakers on this list are relatively small, and you can only fit a small battery into a small casing. While battery technology has come a long way in recent years, you should still expect batteries in a speaker under $50, with a few welcome exceptions, to last around 24-hrs on a full charge.
User interface design and connection options vary widely among all speakers, so follow your heart and pick a speaker design that’s appealing and practical for you, and this goes for sound signature as well. There are $30 speakers that I personally think sound better than $100 ones, but all of that is fairly subjective!
Anker Soundcore 2
Both audio professionals and hobbyists around the world swear by this no-frills solution to great-sounding, portable music.
Overall Best Bluetooth Speaker Under $50
The Anker Soundcore 2 is an all-around heavy hitter with fantastic sound quality, appealing visual design, and all for a great low price. For a budget Bluetooth speaker, you can’t go wrong with the Soundcore 2.
Best IPX7 Waterproof Speaker
The Tribit StormBox is not the only IPX7 rated waterproof Bluetooth speaker under $50 on our list, but it’s our choice of beach/poolside speaker because of the heavy bass that will cut through the sounds of the crowd no matter where you are.
Best Value for Money
The Tribit XSound Go is super cheap but in a good way. This speaker has most of the clarity and portability of the competition but at a better price.
Best Smart Speaker Under $50
Bluetooth speaker or personal assistant? The Echo Dot 3 is the second smallest of the Amazon Echo series of speakers, and via Alexa functionality, this speaker can pair with many other speakers; even some that appear on this list! Best Smart Speaker Under $50
How did we select these speakers?
It can be extremely hard to pick the right speaker when the market is so saturated with different devices, some of which advertise honestly, while others blatantly oversell their own capabilities. Our team has done the work for you, and since we all come from different backgrounds, we’ve selected these speakers for a ton of different reasons.
Some of these devices simply sound great, some offer a ton of bang for your buck, others look dope, and some just have a ton of charming extras and useful functions that made them stand out from the competition. Most of these speakers have a mix of different qualities that make them shine, each in a unique way.
In the end we look at the same aspects of the speaker that you do when you shop, and in my opinion, these speakers all have their reasons to be considered. In the end, go with your gut!
1. Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The Anker Soundcore 2’s slick and discrete design makes for a powerful yet portable Bluetooth speaker under $50. This speaker’s glowing reviews from both audio professionals and hobbyists alike make one thing clear: music listeners around the world swear by this no-frills solution to great-sounding, portable music. The Soundcore 2 makes it’s small and simple style it’s strength, it looks and sounds great but goes without a few extra features and connection options to keep the price low and the attention on the music.
This speaker is branded as an ‘Outdoor-Proof’ speaker, meaning anywhere you go, your music can go along with you. Within 66-feet you can listen to the Soundcore 2 while enjoying the day outside. Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or simply lounging by the pool, the Soundcore will have your back thanks to Anker’s acclaimed stable Bluetooth connectivity and, on the newer Soundcore 2 models (SKU A3105013 and newer), an IPX7 waterproof rating. The Soundcore 2 makes for a reliable speaker with a pretty long signal range ideal for outdoor use and regular travel.
I can’t stress enough how well Anker has nailed the balance between portability, simplicity, and sound quality with this speaker, and that’s why it is our top pick if you’re in the market for a Bluetooth speaker under 50 bucks!
Audio Connections
In the spirit of being simple but effective, the Anker Soundcore 2’s connection options are limited but totally passable given the low price-point. On the right-side panel of the device behind a waterproof seal you will find a Micro-USB port and a 3.5mm auxiliary port for charging the device and listening via wired line-in connection respectively. A cool feature of note is that you can buy two Soundcore 2’s and pair them wirelessly for effortless stereo sound, just be aware that like the IPX7 waterproof rating, the stereo pairing capability is only available on Anker’s newer models of this speaker.
What does the Anker Soundcore 2 sound like?
If you’re reading this article, you are probably looking for an upgrade to the way you currently listen to your music, but you don’t want to spend a lot of money. Anker did not cut corners with the Soundcore 2’s sound quality; for under 50 dollars you can hear all of your favorite songs in a brand new light.
The Anker Soundcore 2 has an impressively detailed sound profile for such an affordable price. I’m not the first person to hear the Soundcore 2 and be a bit taken aback by how much better it sounds than one would expect from a speaker with this sort of simple design and small size. It is obvious that Anker put all of their resources and know-how into the sound quality of this device rather than the feature list or visual design, and this is what we’re looking for in a good value speaker: no-frills, just great sound.
Conclusion
Do you have under 50 dollars to spend, but you want a Bluetooth speaker with great sound? The Anker Soundcore 2 is our pick for you. Don’t let the simple exterior fool you, all of Anker’s resources went into the inside of this speaker, and you’ll be able to tell as soon as you turn up the volume!
3. AY Portable Wireless Speakers
On a budget speaker list, it’s important to cover the entire price range, and here we have the AY portable Bluetooth speaker near the low-end of our price range. Hovering around 30 bucks, the AY speaker is about as cheap as you can go with Bluetooth speakers without going into very low-quality territory in my opinion. At this price point you can expect either good value for your money, or overpriced shoddy speakers.
The AY portable Bluetooth speaker in particular stands out as a great value for its very low price. The build quality is a bit less robust than the more expensive speakers on this list, but we’ve all learned to expect that from budget speakers by now, haven’t we? There is something to be said about spending less on a speaker, especially if you find that the sound it delivers meets your needs. This speaker cuts out all the extras, leaving only good quality audio and a low price.
Audio Connections
The AY portable Bluetooth speaker is chargeable via the Micro-USB port located under a waterproof seal. Under this seal, you can also find a 3.5mm auxiliary port. This speaker even comes with an included 3.5mm cord so you can establish a wired connection with your device of choice! Additionally, this speaker has TWS support so you can pair two of these speakers for a stereo listening experience.
What does the AY Portable speaker sound like?
The AY portable Bluetooth speaker impressed me with its clear and crisp sound quality. I wouldn’t classify this as a very loud speaker, but it can provide ideal volume levels for indoor use and quieter outdoor use. Considering this speaker is only half the price of other speakers that have lower quality sound, I would rank this speaker quite high in ‘bang-for-your-buck’.
This isn’t a bass-heavy speaker by any means, but all of your favorite music is going to sound clear, free of distortion, and accurate. If you look around for other similarly priced speakers to this one, you will notice a large discrepancy in sound quality, but AY did a fantastic job optimizing the design of this device to offer great sound at an awesome price.
Conclusion
The AY is a top contender for the best value speaker on this list. In our search for the best Bluetooth speaker under $50 we’ve uncovered a few gems with different strengths, and I’d confidently say the AY Bluetooth speaker is a gem, a great product that is simple to use, fairly sturdy, very cheap, and does exactly what you need it to do; play all of your music wirelessly with ease.
4. Tribit StormBox (Black)
The Tribit StormBox is an award-winning 360-degree speaker that fits right into the ‘beach speaker’ niche I touched on in the Zamkol ZK202 review. These outdoor-oriented, bass-filled beasts are a special breed of Bluetooth speakers that have fun & quirky designs, heavy bass, durable build quality, easy-to-use interfaces, and solid sound quality. The Tribit StormBox absolutely nails all of these areas, making it an awesome choice if you’re looking for your next portable outdoor party speaker!
For around $50, the StormBox has a bunch of great features like bass-boost technology, an IPX7 rated waterproof design, stylish visual appeal, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and 66 ft of Bluetooth signal range. This thing looks and sounds great and has a super simple user interface with only 3 buttons, so anyone can have easy control of the music.
Audio Connections
In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, the Tribit StormBox has a waterproof seal that protects a DC 5 volt charging port and a 3.5mm aux port. The StromBox is also pairable with another StormBox for stereo sound.
What does the Tribit StormBox sound like?
Tribit’s proprietary XBass setting ensures that this speaker provides amazing bass, and I can testify to that. I listen to a lot of bass-heavy music, and this is my kind of speaker. The audio quality provided by this speaker is very clear and free of any distortion even at max volume! The StormBox has a very impressive 360-degree spatial sound signature with a warm low-end that makes drums punchy and present, perfect for pool parties and barbecues that can tend to get loud.
Conclusion
The Tribit StormBox is a really great ‘everyday’ Bluetooth speaker. If you are looking for the best Bluetooth speaker under $50 that has very high audio quality with fantastic bass and a completely waterproof design, this is absolutely an option for you to consider. In the end, it will come down to your specific taste in sound signature, but this speaker has a warm low bass sound that I really love in a speaker. You can pair two of these together for stereo sound (I can’t wait to give it a shot) and connect via an auxiliary cord, so you have some basic connectivity options at your disposal.
Overall, The StormBox is just an all-around great choice for the best Bluetooth speaker option under/around 50 dollars.
5. OontZ Angle 3 (3rd Gen)
The Oontz Angle 3 is the cheapest Bluetooth speaker on our list, and for some of you, that is just what you’re looking for! Sometimes it isn’t about getting the best sound quality but rather getting perfectly passable audio for a low price. If this sounds like you, stick around while we look at the Angle 3.
This Bluetooth speaker hovers around 25-30 dollars and, due to this, it has a pretty standard build quality made of plastic with a silicon cover. The Oontz Angle 3 comes in 7 different color varieties; two different black designs, blue, orange, white, red, and even a coca-cola inspired design! There is a water-repelling rubber flap over the charging port and an auxiliary port, and the speaker is quite small compared to other portable speakers on this list. This speaker is not waterproof, it is water-resistant, so be aware that this speaker cannot be submerged.
The Oontz Angle 3’s design looks reminiscent of the mini speakers that were very on-trend about 10 years ago, but this speaker triumphantly remains on store shelves with pretty good reviews due to its low price and pretty decent audio quality.
Audio Connections
Beneath a water-resistant rubber flap, the Angle 3 has a Micro-USB charging port and a 3.5mm auxiliary port. This speaker comes with both a 3.5mm line-in cable and a Micro-USB cable for charging and wired listening, which is awesome considering the price. A cool thing to note about the Angle 3 is that it almost doubles some other speaker’s Bluetooth range at 100-feet!
What does the 3rd Gen Oontz Angle 3 sound like?
Many times you will boot up a brand new Bluetooth speaker and be wowed by the sheer volume that is produced by such a small little speaker, unfortunately this wasn’t one of those times. That being said, for such a low price there is nothing wrong with the sound quality, it’s just not super impressive.
I don’t believe a speaker has to have perfect sound quality for it to be a good purchase, and in the case of the Oontz Angle 3, this is a great purchase if you want a Bluetooth speaker for a really good price, but you don’t necessarily need an impressive listening experience. For taking calls and listening to music at a modest volume the Oontz Angle 3 will perform as good as any other speaker for a much more affordable price.
Conclusion
Not every speaker has to have perfect sound quality, sometimes a product has other strengths. The Oontz Angle 3 has decent audio quality at a modest volume, but it’s super affordable, comes in many colors, has a very long Bluetooth range, and a fairly sturdy and water-resistant build quality. Not bad for less than 30 dollars!
6. DOSS SoundBox Touch
The DOSS SoundBox Touch is another ‘jack-of-all-trades’ speaker holding a spot on our comprehensive list of all the best Bluetooth speakers under $50. Appealing to a wide audience is a sought-after trait in the Bluetooth audio market, and DOSS really hit a home-run with the SoundBox in that regard. The SoundBox has a simple UI on top of the device, four attractive color options, great sound quality, and lots of connectivity options, all for around 30 dollars!
My first impression of the DOSS SoundBox was that it is an attractive take on the standard Bluetooth speaker consumers have grown accustomed to over the past 10-15 years. This speaker isn’t trying to appear revolutionary, on the contrary it captures a simple practicality that’s kind of refreshing in today’s oversaturated Bluetooth audio market. It’s not quite as simple in its design as Anker’s Soundcore line, but it resides in the same price range as Anker’s products.
Audio Connections
I love it when a Bluetooth speaker supports SD cards, and the DOSS SoundBox does! The SoundBox has a slot for a mini-SD card, a Micro-USB port, and a 3.5mm auxiliary line-in port as well.
What does the DOSS SoundBox Touch sound like?
Usually, I’ve assumed that it’s always those cylindrical-shaped ‘360-degree beach-speakers’ that have the best bass in the Bluetooth speaker world, but the DOSS SoundBox trumped my expectations a fair bit! The bass tones heard through the SoundBox’s sound signature are surprisingly warm and impactful, just what we want out of the low-end signal of a speaker, so much so that you get that classic ‘I can’t believe that music is coming from that tiny speaker’ effect.
This speaker sounds great, the treble comes through crisp and clear, and as I said before, the low bass sounds much better than I expected from such a small product.
Conclusion
The DOSS SoundBox Touch looks like a lot of other speakers, but it sounds better than most of them! As we conducted our search for the best Bluetooth speaker under 50 dollars, we listened to quite a few cheap speakers that cut corners and over-advertised their capabilities. That being the case, we are always happy when a speaker surprises us!
If you are in the market for a very affordable, visually appealing speaker that will challenge your expectations, give the SoundBox a shot!
7. COMISO Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
With the COMISO Waterproof Bluetooth speaker, we re-enter the niche speaker space that the Zamkol and Tribit StormBox live in; cylindrical 360-degree speakers with waterproof designs and bass-focused sound signatures. I’ve already spoken on my personal affinity toward this kind of speaker, but what makes the COMISO stand out among the competition?
In our list of all the best Bluetooth speakers you can buy for less than 50 dollars, this is the third ‘beach speaker’ we have seen, but it’s the first to advertise a whopping 36-hours of playtime! Like other similar speakers on this list, the COMISO is super portable and easy to use, I had no trouble with the user interface or basic setup. This speaker is rated for IPX4, making it somewhat less resistant to water than other speakers on this list.
Visually, the COMISO is a very attractive speaker. Whether you’re traveling and using the COMISO as a portable speaker or you just use it to play music around the house, this speaker looks stylish.
Audio Connections
The COMISO charges via a Micro-USB port on the bottom of the speaker. This Bluetooth speaker also has TWS support so you can pair two COMISOs together for stereo listening.
What does the COMISO sound like?
When it comes to sound quality, the COMISO Bluetooth speaker is pretty good! This speaker is just as clear and free of distortion as any of the other speakers on this list, but I found the sound slightly lacking in bass and overall volume compared to other speakers in this price range. Small criticisms aside, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the audio quality you get with the COMISO, just be aware that the sound signature is less bass oriented than other similarly priced and designed speakers and not quite as loud.
Conclusion
The COMISO Bluetooth speaker is not quite as loud or water-resistant as the Zamkol or the Tribit StormBox, but you can save a bit of money by going with this speaker. The sound quality is very good but be aware that this speaker’s sound signature is more treble/high-end oriented than other speakers with this familiar cylindrical design.
The 36-hour battery life advertised by this speaker is pretty impressive, so if you’re looking for an affordable speaker that will last longer on a single charge than the competition, this could be the speaker for you.
9. Tribit XSound Go Bluetooth Speaker
The Tribit XSound Go is our top pick for the best value speaker! At only 30 dollars you are getting a high-quality Bluetooth speaker, for way less than the 50 dollar limit we’ve got in place for this list. With rich bass tones and super clear treble, fantastic waterproofing, a simple user interface, this 12W speaker hits way above its weight class and provides a listening experience way above the competition in its price range.
This Bluetooth speaker looks and sounds great, in my opinion it’s the high point of the simple but effective Bluetooth speaker design we’ve all come to know over the past decade. No frills, just good sound, and a great price.
Audio Connections
Like many of the other speakers on this list, this speaker uses a micro-USB port for charging and a 3.5mm line-in port for wired connections. The Tribit XSound Go does not offer stereo pairing support.
What does the Tribit XSound Go sound like?
So you’ve spent $30 on a new Bluetooth speaker, you probably don’t expect much right? The Tribit XSound Go was the most surprising speaker to listen to out of any on this list, it totally gave me the kind first impression I always look for when I’m first listening to a new speaker.
Very clear high frequencies and an inordinately beefy low-end would be my description of the XSound Go’s sound signature. I was actually very impressed with how this speaker sounds for 30 dollars, and it could easily compete with speakers double its price or size.
Conclusion
This underdog speaker is my pick for you if you want a great sounding speaker that’s super portable and hassle-free, all for an unbeatable price. You can’t compete with the bargain you get by purchasing the Tribit XSound Go. I’ve mentioned ‘simple but effective design’ a few times in this list, and this speaker embodies that ethos to an impressive extent. It really is that cut and dry, the Tribit XSound Go is just a great speaker overall. If this was a ‘best Bluetooth speaker for around $30’ list, this speaker would be the winner!
If you don’t have much money to spend but you want a Bluetooth speaker, this is your best option for sure.
10. Echo Dot (3rd Gen) – Smart Speaker with Alexa
The Amazon Echo Dot inhabits its own niche, I wouldn’t really put this device in direct competition with the other speakers you can read about in this list. Quite the contrary, the Echo Dot is a great purchase in addition to a lot of these speakers, here’s why…
When it comes to its use, the Echo Dot is the only device on this list that is a speaker and a personal assistant utilizing Amazon’s Alexa service. With Alexa, you can shop, look up information about local weather or business hours, control your home with smart integrated devices, and even play games on top of listening to music. If you’re looking for a digital personal assistant this is the only speaker on this list that will meet your need for that.
So what is the difference between this speaker and the others on this list? First, the Echo Dot is not portable on its own, if you want to take this device with you you’ll need an attachable ‘battery base’, these will run you between $20 and $50 on top of the cost of the Echo Dot. This device is more like a personal assistant hub that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, so be aware of that before you buy it! If you’re only looking to listen to music wirelessly, this isn’t the speaker for you.
Audio Connections
Since this isn’t a portable speaker, it is always plugged into the wall via its DC 12V power cord. The Echo Dot does come with a 3.5mm line-in port for wired music listening similar to many of the other speakers on this list.
What does the 3rd Gen Echo Dot sound like?
The Amazon Echo Dot is focused on a lot of features and functions other than sound quality. The polar opposite of the Anker Soundcore 2 or the Tribit XSound, most of the Echo Dot’s power is in its usefulness as a personal assistant, not so much in the quality of the music it delivers. This speaker is a very cool piece of equipment, but not because it’s a great speaker, you are better off going with a different speaker on this list if you want a Bluetooth speaker primarily for listening to music.
Conclusion
The Echo Dot is not the best Bluetooth speaker under $50 dollars, rather, this speaker is the best Smart Speaker and personal assistant you can buy for less than 50 dollars! It isn’t fair to compare this device to the others on the list, so think of it in a league of its own. If you are looking for an introductory device to the world of smart personal assistants, but you also want Bluetooth listening functionality, this speaker is a great way to introduce that sort of tech into your life.
What to look for when buying a Bluetooth speaker?
Regardless of price, there are specific traits you should look out for while shopping for your next Bluetooth speaker:
Output Power (Watts)
Wattage will tell you roughly how loud your Bluetooth speaker will be. Technically, this measurement tells you how much power the speaker can handle, but it is safe to assume that a 30 watt (30W) speaker will be louder in general than a 12W speaker. The higher the wattage of a speaker the more power it will consume, and usually, the more room it will take up. This means that higher watt speakers are usually larger and louder.
Waterproofing Rating (IPX)
Bluetooth speakers use a rating system called an IP rating to determine just how waterproof a specific speaker is. If you are planning on taking your speaker outdoors pay close attention to these ratings. Speakers that are advertised for outdoor use usually proudly display their IP rating.
Usually, speakers and audio equipment are only tested on their liquid resistance, hence the ratings appearing as they do. For example, for the rating IPX7, the X means there is no recorded information on the dust proofing of the device, and the 7 is a 7/9 on the waterproofing scale. Check out a comprehensive explanation of the IP rating system here.
User Interface and Connections
Pay close attention to the layout of buttons and ports on each speaker and make sure the device looks easy to use for you. Also look at how the device charges, and what other connectivity options you have to use your speaker.
Price
If you are a veteran audiophile you probably overlook this part, but all jokes aside, don’t break the bank for a speaker. Only spend what is comfortable for you. After all, this is part of the reason why we created this article!
Sound Signature/Profile
Sound Signature is the informal frequency distribution of a speaker, it is a quick description of how the speaker sounds from a technical perspective. This is the most important part of shopping for a speaker, but also the most subjective. Personally, I love heavy bass, so I buy speakers that provide me with huge warm bass tones, but some people would think the speaker sounds muddy or just bad! In the end, you have to listen to different speakers until you’ve uncovered your personal preference.
Design Trends
You may notice design trends that pop up here and there while you shop for a Bluetooth speaker:
- 360-degree speakers: These speakers project sound in every direction around the speaker, pretty cool right? They’re usually shaped like cylinders.
- TWS technology: True Wireless System, this means that these speakers can be paired up, usually with another model of the same speaker, so you can double the sound!
- Outdoor Speakers: These speakers tend to have more durable build qualities and higher IP ratings than other speakers.
- Smart Speakers: You can talk to these speakers and utilize them like personal assistants! These speakers often focus more on their ‘smart’ functionality than actual sound quality, so be aware of that before you buy one. While true smart speakers under 50 dollars are rare, this speaker trend becomes more common in higher price ranges.
FAQs
What to Expect in a Bluetooth Speaker Under $50
If you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker for under $50 you should expect a device with about 30W output power, an IPX6 waterproof rating, and 24-hour battery life.
Is a Bluetooth Speaker Under $50 Worth the Money?
Absolutely! There are some great Bluetooth speakers available at under $50 today. There are $30 speakers that compete with much pricier items in both sound quality and features.
Is There a Smart Speaker Available Under $50?
Yes, there are quite a few, but we recommend you check out the Echo Dot 3.
Anker Soundcore 2
Both audio professionals and hobbyists around the world swear by this no-frills solution to great-sounding, portable music.
Update History
01/07/2022 – Removed the Zamkol and VTIN speakers that are no longer available.
05/26/2020 – List created because we’re cool like that, and wanted to tell you about some bargains under $50!
