In-car Bluetooth speakers must be portable, have excellent sound quality, and be convenient. The best models fit in cup holders or storage pockets and offer strong bass, clear mids, and treble. Also, consider battery life and build quality to ensure the speaker can handle daily use and occasional drops.
We reviewed over 100 models and scrutinized 1,150,528 reviews, using our Trust Score to filter out fake reviews. Our method also involves certifying products as tested. During our analysis, we found 92% of experts to be unreliable. This detailed evaluation helps in selecting the best speakers that offer both durability and excellent audio performance. Our buying guide highlights three Bluetooth speakers that excelled in performance, making them perfect for your car.
How Did We Rank the Best Bluetooth Speakers?
To determine the best Bluetooth speaker for your car, we pinpointed the 2 required tests, 2 additional features, and 1 vital specification crucial for car use. Leveraging data from more than 200 review sites, we dissected expert evaluations and user experiences. Our True Score system combines this information, highlighting the speakers that deliver impeccable sound quality, seamless connectivity, and durability. This rigorous analysis ensures you make an informed choice for your in-car audio needs. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.
?️ Minimum Specifications
- Must be speaker meant for car (but not car speakers)
? Test Criteria
- Volume Output: Provides a dynamic and immersive sound experience, achieving volume output levels exceeding 85 decibels, delivering powerful audio performance.
- Battery Life: 9 hours is the length of time this Bluetooth speaker can play before the battery needs recharging.
? “Nice To Haves”
- Low-End Roll-Off: Implementing a low-frequency roll-off below 60 Hz ensures the presence of subtle rumble in the bass, enhancing the immersive quality of your music or movie-watching experience.
Latest Updates
- 04/16/2024: Published the list of best Bluetooth speakers for cars based on our True Score system.
Top Bluetooth Speakers For Cars For 2024
Prices accurate at the time of publishing
For Bluetooth speakers for cars to earn its place on our list, it must adhere to our strict standards for audio performance and quality. Any model that fails to meet these criteria will not be on the list!.
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3
Best For Outdoor
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is an affordable, durable car speaker with exceptional battery life and a wide wireless range. It is perfect for tailgating and road trips. Its deep bass is great, though high-frequency clarity could be better.
True Score
848126Experts
926kCustomers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $40$99.99$59.99
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Decent sound quality
- Great battery life
- Top-grade build quality
- Portable design
Reasons to Avoid
Specifications
Battery Charge Time 2.6 hrs 
Battery Life 14 hrs 
Built In Microphone No 
Depth 4" 
Height 3.75" 
IPX Rating IPX7 
Size 4"(w) x 3.75"(h) x 4"(d) 
Smart App Ultimate Ears 
Speaker Pairing Yes 
Water Resistant Yes 
Wattage 70W 
Width 4" 
Wireless Range 131.2 ft All Specs
Test Results
Battery Life (Hours) 22 Volume Output (dB) 87 Low End Roll Off (Hz) 180 High End Roll Off (Hz) 13.5k All Retailers
$59.99$100Save $40Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
$73.99$100Save $26Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No
$87.99Availability
In StockFree Shipping
$99.99Availability
Free Shipping
Yes
Our Verdict
If you want a quality speaker for your car without breaking the bank, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 delivers great value for what you get. It’s the cheapest speaker on our list, and it has a best-in-class 22-hour battery life and a great wireless range of 131.2 ft. This makes it perfect for long listening sessions and tailgating parties where you want freedom to walk around. Its compact size and IPX7 water-resistance rating also make it a durable speaker for road trips and daily commutes.
It produces the same deep bass as the other speakers on the list due to its low-end roll-off of 179.59 Hz, which helps make EDM and R&B music in the car sound more immersive. However, its high-end roll-off of 13,472.79 Hz could be better, so podcast, audiobook, and jazz music lovers should look elsewhere. Its great volume output of 86.9 dB is ideal for personal enjoyment or group listening in the car, ensuring that sound levels are loud and immersive enough inside your vehicle.
When compared to the Marshall Willen, both are affordable options with similar volume output, but the WONDERBOOM 3 has a superior battery life, ideal for uninterrupted audio playback on longer journeys. It also has a wider wireless range that lets you roam outside your car during tailgate parties, outdoor movie nights, and picnics. As for the Willen, it’s more aesthetically pleasing and produces clearer high-frequency sounds for vocal-centric content.
If you’re a driver looking for an affordable blend of convenience and quality sound, its battery life, affordability, and wireless range make it an attractive package. The compromise is mainly the lack of clarity in the high-frequency sounds, but the overall performance and robustness keep it a compelling option for your car adventures.
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Marshall Willen
Best For Shower
The Marshall Willen is an exceptional budget speaker, excelling in high-frequency clarity for superior vocal and acoustic performance along with smart connectivity features, making it ideal for drivers prioritizing quality sound and convenience.
True Score
82798Experts
91981Customers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $19$119.99$101.13Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Average sound output
- Good battery life
- Exceptional build quality
- Good portability
Reasons to Avoid
- Underemphasized bass output
- Sound compression at max volume
Specifications
Battery Charge Time 3 hrs Battery Life 15 hrs Built In Microphone Yes 
Charge Time 4 hrs Depth 4" Height 4" IPX Rating IP67 Size 1.6"(w) x 4"(h) x 4"(d) Smart App Yes Speaker Pairing Yes Water Resistant Yes Wattage 10W Width 1.6" Wireless Range 10 m All Specs
Test Results
Battery Life (Hours) 15 Volume Output (dB) 88 Low End Roll Off (Hz) 180 High End Roll Off (Hz) 17k All Retailers
- $101.13$120Save $19
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $119.99
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $119.99
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Our Verdict
The Marshall Willen is an exceptional speaker for those seeking the best car Bluetooth speaker. It merges top-notch performance with portable convenience. Its best-in-class high-end rolloff of 16,974.66 Hz ensures vocal clarity and a rich soundstage, ideal for clear audio for podcasts and acoustic and vocal-centric music.
If you’re an audiophile who appreciates good bass in the car, this speaker’s low-end roll-off of 179.59 Hz is the same as the other speakers. It helps make EDM and R&B music sound crisp and immersive. It also has a great volume output of 87.9 dB, making your car listening sessions more fun and captivating with fuller sound.
When compared to the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3, both are budget speakers, but the Willen’s clearer high-frequency sounds make it a better option if you value vocal clarity and detailed audio. The Willen’s built-in microphone and smart app integration will appeal to tech-savvy users who want seamless connectivity in the car. The WONDERBOOM 3 has a higher battery life and wider wireless range, making it better suited for long trips and social events involving your car, such as tailgating.
If you enjoy personal listening sessions or small social gatherings, the compact Marshall Willen is a practical addition to your car’s audio setup. It has a well-rounded sound quality at an affordable price, and it excels at high-frequency sounds for podcasts, audiobooks, and acoustic music. Its battery life and IP67 water resistance are great for frequent travelers and outdoor lovers. If you’re a bass-focused audiophile, this may not be the most powerful option, but for drivers who want a blend of style, convenience, and superior sound quality, the Marshall Willen is an incredible option.
Did you know 93% of Bluetooth Speaker reviewers are untrustworthy?
Our research found only 9 of 133 Bluetooth speaker reviewers as of July 2024 can be trusted. This is why Gadget Review is committed to calculating the most accurate product scores on the web.
To do this, we give every Bluetooth speaker review site a Trust Rating, which measures how trustworthy the site and their testing claims are. We then leverage AI & a machine learning model to combine and calculate the Trust Rating with data from experts and consumers to deliver the True Score, the web’s most accurate product quality rating.
1,150,528Bluetooth Speaker Reviews Analyzed
109
Total Products Analyzed
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Bushnell Wingman View
Best For Golf Cart
The Bushnell Wingman View, with the loudest volume and widest wireless range, offers well-rounded sound performance and value to justify its mid-range cost. It’s ideal for shorter tailgate or outdoor parties.
True Score
66652Experts
73129Customers
Meh
SAVE $35$199.99$165.33Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Impressive build quality
- Portable design
Reasons to Avoid
- Unimpressive sound quality
- Average battery life
- Limited connectivity options
Specifications
Battery Charge Time 1 hrs Battery Life 10 hrs Built In Microphone No Depth 3.1" Height 7.3" IPX Rating IPX6 Size – Smart App Bushnell Golf App Speaker Pairing Yes Water Resistant Yes Wattage 20W Width 3.2" Wireless Range 331.4 ft All Specs
Test Results
Battery Life (Hours) 12 Volume Output (dB) 89 Low End Roll Off (Hz) 180 High End Roll Off (Hz) 14.5k All Retailers
- $165.33$200Save $35
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
Our Verdict
If you want the loudest car speaker possible, the Bushnell Wingman View is an impressive speaker that hits a sweet spot between performance and value. Despite being the most expensive option in the list, its mid-range price is justified by its best-in-class 88.8 dB volume output that works well in various settings, from your car interior to noisy outdoor environments like parks or stadium parking lots. Its unparalleled wireless range of 331.4 ft also makes it a great fit for large outdoor spaces where you need freedom to roam around but want to maintain a stable connection over long distances.
If you don’t mind not having the deepest bass or clearest high-frequency sounds, this speaker has a well-rounded sound quality suitable for general listening to a variety of genres. Its low-end roll-off is 179.59 Hz, and its high-end roll-off is 14,481.55 Hz, which means it still provides deep enough bass for EDM and hip-hop music and crisp high-frequency sounds for podcasts, classical, and acoustic music.
Its sturdy build and IPX6 water resistance make it well-suited for users who demand durability and reliability in the car. Thanks to the Bushnell Golf App integration, it may also appeal to outdoor enthusiasts and golfers. Though it’s the shortest on the list, the 12-hour battery life is decent if you only use it for long listening sessions during part of the day. This might not be the ideal speaker for long road trips and extensive parties.
This is a fantastic investment if you’re a driver who likes loud, well-rounded sounds for shorter drives and tailgate parties. Despite the higher price and limit with the battery life, its best-in-class wireless range and volume output make it a reliable choice if you prioritize performance in a speaker. It’s a versatile option suitable for a variety of uses, such as playing different music genres plus travel and outdoor activities.
DON’T SEE WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?
For those looking to make some noise at their next outdoor event, the loudest Bluetooth speaker and the best tailgate speakers provide powerful sound that can project across large spaces. When it comes to water environments, the top boat Bluetooth speaker ensures your music can endure the elements. If deep, resonant bass is what you’re after, the best Bluetooth speaker bass and excellent car speakers for bass deliver thumping lows that enhance any track.
Understanding the difference between 4 way vs 2 way speakers can also impact your audio setup, as each offers distinct advantages in sound quality and frequency range, helping you choose based on your listening preferences and space requirements.
Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Bluetooth Speakers (For Car)?
By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 1 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these Bluetooth speakers and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a Bluetooth speaker that is perfect for you.
| CRITERIA | RANGE | REQUIRED | DEFINITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Life (Hours) | > 9 Hr | Yes | The length of time a Bluetooth speaker can play before the battery goes flat. |
| Volume Output (dB) | > 85 dB | Yes | The maximum volume that a Bluetooth speaker is able to output when turned to max. |
| Low End Roll Off (Hz) | < 60 Hz | No (nice to have) | The point at which bass response starts to fall sharply, causing it to rapidly become inaudible. |
Our Trusted Data Sources
We looked at 57 Bluetooth speaker reviewers and only 9 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for Bluetooth speakers.
- Becca Fischer – Rtings, MuckRack
- Michelle Powell – TechGearLab, MuckRack
- Brent Butterworth – Wirecutter, MuckRack, LinkedIn
Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every Bluetooth speaker review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.
Bluetooth Speaker (For Car) Test Data & Results
1. Volume Output Test Results
Maximum volume is the most straightforward test to grasp when it comes to Bluetooth speakers: it simply refers to the loudest level at which the speaker can play. However, the importance of having a high maximum volume might not be immediately obvious. Beyond the ability to fill rooms with sound or serve as party speakers, higher maximum volumes play a crucial role in ensuring audio clarity at typical listening volumes.
This concept is known as “headroom.” Adequate headroom in a Bluetooth speaker means it can reproduce sounds at a level that is both loud enough and clear enough, ensuring that your usual listening levels for music or podcasts are crisp and free from distortion. Your Bluetooth speaker should have a minimum of 85 dB of maximum volume. The higher the maximum volume, the better the speaker is at delivering sound that can fill increasingly large spaces without sacrificing sound quality.
Volume Output
>85 dB
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The maximum volume that a Bluetooth speaker can hit at 100%.
Units of Measurement: dB (Decibels)
Tools to Measure: Sound level or decibel meter
Why It’s Important:
Max volume is how you ensure you’ve got enough volume to hear your music at a party without audio becoming heavily distorted.
Volume Output (in dB; higher is better)
2. Battery Life Test Results
Your Bluetooth speakers are more than likely going to be battery powered. They might not run solely on battery power, but it is more common than not for Bluetooth speakers to be able to play without being plugged into a wall. That means, you’ll want your speaker to be able to play for as long as possible without having to be plugged in to charge, so even if you forget your charging cable, you’re not shackled to 4 hours of play time.
It’s for this reason that we recommend that Bluetooth speakers have at least 9 hours of playtime – enough to get you through a full day of playing your speakers. That said, there’s no upper limit to battery life – the more you can get “under your belt”, the better. If your speaker can deliver more than 17 hours of battery life on a single charge, you’ve got more than enough for two days and change, which is plenty of time to remember you need to plug the speaker in.
Battery Life
> 9 Hours
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The amount of time speakers can play before the battery dies.
Units of Measurement: Hours
Tools to Measure: Timer
Why It’s Important:
Battery life is what keeps your speaker going when you’re out and about, otherwise your speaker can’t survive heavy usage in a day or a weekend.
Battery Life (in hours; higher is better)
3. Low End Roll Off Test Results
The low-end roll off is key in determining how deep the bass on your Bluetooth speaker will sound. A Bluetooth speaker with a roll off that doesn’t start at a sufficiently low frequency leads to bass that sounds weak or is missing entirely, which makes music sound weak. Essentially, the deeper the bass can extend before rolling off, the more robust the sound.
For the majority of Bluetooth speakers and typical usage scenarios, aiming for a roll off that begins no higher than 60 Hz is advisable. However, the lower the frequency where roll off begins, the better the bass experience. It’s important to understand that there’s a limit to how low the roll off can go, so expecting Bluetooth speakers to achieve roll off points in the teens might be unrealistic. It’s also important to remember that Bluetooth speakers don’t have subwoofers and are also generally small, which limits how deep their bass can get.
Low End Roll Off
< 60 Hz
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The point at which bass begins to sharply decline and becomes rapidly inaudible.
Units of Measurement: Hz (Hertz)
Tools to Measure: Oscilloscope
Why It’s Important:
If bass takes longer to start rolling off, it’ll generally be more present in your speaker’s output, which will give music much more “punch” and depth.
Low End Roll Off (in Hz; lower is better)
Best Bluetooth Speakers For Car: Mistakes To Avoid
- Neglecting Audio Quality: It’s essential to prioritize speakers with outstanding sound fidelity and balance to ensure a truly enjoyable listening experience. The best Bluetooth speakers focus on quality over additional features, you can avoid disappointment and immerse yourself fully in your favorite music or podcasts.
- Overlooking Battery Life: Take into account your usage patterns and select speakers with sufficient battery capacity to meet your needs. This becomes particularly important if you’re frequently on-the-go or enjoy outdoor activities, as a longer battery life ensures uninterrupted enjoyment without the hassle of frequent recharging.
- Ignoring Connectivity Options: It’s crucial to choose speakers that provide a range of connectivity options beyond just Bluetooth. Features like AUX-in or NFC compatibility ensure seamless connections with a variety of devices, offering flexibility for different situations and environments. If you need a high-quality cable, the best aux cable for your speaker setup ensures seamless connections and reliable audio transmission.
- Disregarding Water Resistance: When selecting speakers, much like when choosing the best waterproof speakers, prioritize those with water-resistant or waterproof capabilities, particularly if you anticipate using them outdoors or in environments where exposure to moisture is likely. This feature protects against damage from rain or spills, prolonging the lifespan of your speakers and ensuring consistent performance in diverse conditions.
The Best Bluetooth Speakers (for the Car) Tests Compared
Product |
True Score
|
Battery Life
|
Volume Output
|
Low End Roll Off
|
High End Roll Off
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 |
|
|
|
|  $59.99 $100 $40 |
| 82 |
|
|
|
| $101.13 $120 $19 |
| 66 |
|
|
|
| $165.33 $200 $35 |
