Speaker Comparison Chart

The JBL Link 20 is an excellent speaker based on sound quality alone, but the built-in Google Assistant feature makes it even more of an excellent value. It lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge and can play music directly from Pandora, Spotify and Google Play Music via WiFi by using voice commands.

Overall, the Sony SRS-XB32 delivers great sound along with a great light show. If you already have last year's model (the XB31), then there is really no reason to upgrade as the changes seem to be cosmetic only. There is also no stereo pairing compatibility between the XB32 and XB31, although you can link the two models together to play non-stereo sound ("Wireless Party Change").

The SoundCore Boost builds upon the great sound quality of the SoundCore 2 with louder drivers and surprisingly strong bass performance with the BassUp feature enabled. The Boost can also last up to 12 hours on a single charge and includes a USB port for charging your smartphone.

Sony's new SRS-XB30 speaker features great sound, a multi-color LED light ring and easy pairing for NFC-equipped phones. The optional "Extra Bass" setting does a great job of kicking it up a notch if you're all about the bass.

Sony's new SRS-XB31 speaker features great sound, party lights and (finally) Micro USB charging! The optional "Extra Bass" setting does a great job of kicking it up a notch if you're all about the bass and it can be paired with other Sony speakers if you want to get loud.

The SoundCore Flare not only sounds great, it looks great too! The LED light ring puts on a show while you're listening to your favorite music. The optional Bass Up feature enhances the bass when you want it. It can also be paired with a second Flare for wireless stereo sound.

The Douni A5 does a great job filling the room with great sound and bass performance. The A5 includes some appreciated extras such as backlit buttons and a USB charging port for other devices, but the proprietary charger means you can't charge this speaker with cables you may already have.

The SoundCore 2 retains the great sound clarity of the original SoundCore, with further enhancements to the bass response. The form factor and long battery life remain virtually the same. At very high volumes the speaker sounds overly "tinny," so the speaker is more ideal for personal listening and small gatherings.

The Echo Dot is a great way to get started in the world of Alexa for a small investment. It is also ideal to use as an "Alexa extension" for other rooms of your house. Sound quality is lacking, so it is not ideal for listening to music. However, it can be paired with a Bluetooth speaker for better sound.

Anker's SoundCore Bluetooth speaker incorporates a unique spiral bass port to enhance bass levels while still maintaining a compact size. This speaker travels easily and the long-lasting battery keeps the music going all day long.