JBL’s Bluetooth speakers are known for their robust build quality, well-balanced sound profile, and versatile connectivity options, making them an excellent choice for various needs. From the portable JBL Flip and Clip lineups to the powerful PartyBox series, you can find models that deliver deep bass, clear highs, and enduring battery life. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, these speakers often feature IP ratings for water resistance and durable construction to withstand the elements, ensuring you get the most out of your audio experience.
For those seeking the best Bluetooth speaker, our guide highlights three top-performing JBL models. We analyzed over 100 Bluetooth speakers and 1,149,542 reviews, revealing that 92% of expert reviews were untrustworthy. We use a unique approach that certifies products as tested and filters out fake reviews through our proprietary Trust Rating. The winning JBL speakers excelled in our evaluations, showcasing excellent sound quality, robust build, and impressive battery life, making them standout choices for any audio enthusiast.
How Did We Rank the Best JBL Bluetooth Speakers?
Our rigorous evaluation process included over 200 sites, combining customer reviews and expert opinions to identify the best JBL Bluetooth speaker. Using our True Score system, we scrutinise critical criteria, focusing on 2 required test results, 1 nice-to-have test result, and 1 must-have specification. This guide simplifies your decision-making, spotlighting the essential features for the ultimate audio experience. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.
?️ Minimum Specifications
- Must be JBL
? Test Criteria
- Battery Life: Lasts a minimum of 9 hours before the battery needs recharging.
- Volume Output: The speaker should deliver powerful and immersive sound performance, exceeding 91 decibels in volume output.
? “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
- 04/14/2024: Published the list of best JBL Bluetooth speakers based on our True Score system.
Top JBL Bluetooth Speakers For 2024
Prices accurate at the time of publishing
To make the cut, a JBL Bluetooth speaker must ace our tough audio quality test. No compromise on excellence!
Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best JBL Bluetooth Speakers?
By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 1 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these speakers and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a speakers that will sound great.
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) | > 91 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 50+ 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 Test Data & Results
1. 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)
2. Volume Output Test Results
Volume Output
>90 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.
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 90 dB of maximum volume, but 91 dB or even higher is ideal. 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 (in dB; 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 thin. 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 JBL Bluetooth Speakers: Mistakes To Avoid
- Sound Quality: While JBL, like the top Bose speakers, is known for its quality audio, it’s important not to rely on the brand reputation solely. Take the time to listen to the speaker in person or research reviews to ensure it meets your expectations for sound performance. Factors such as frequency response, clarity, and bass output should be considered.
- Battery Life: A Bluetooth speaker’s portability is one of its main advantages. However, overlooking battery life can lead to frustration, especially if you frequently use the speaker on the go. Be sure to check the specifications for battery life and consider your usage patterns to ensure it aligns with your needs. Additionally, remember to factor in the length of time in charging a Bluetooth speaker to ensure it will always be ready when you need it.
- Portability: JBL offers a range of speakers with varying sizes and weights. It’s essential to consider how and where you plan to use the speaker. For instance, if you intend to bring it along for outdoor activities or travel, a compact and lightweight design might be preferable. Don’t overlook portability features like carrying handles or straps if you anticipate moving the speaker frequently. You can read our JBL Boombox 2 review for another portable Bluetooth speaker from JBL.
- Connectivity Features: Bluetooth speakers offer convenience by wirelessly connecting to your devices. However, not all speakers have the same connectivity options. When searching for the best smart speaker, consider models that offer Bluetooth connectivity and incorporate smart features like voice assistants for hands-free control and integration with smart home devices.Some may support additional features like NFC pairing or multi-device connectivity. Evaluate your connectivity needs, such as range and compatibility with your devices, to ensure the speaker meets your requirements.
The Best JBL Bluetooth Speakers Tests Compared
Product | True Score
|
Battery Life
|
Volume Output
|
Low End Roll Off
|
High End Roll Off
| |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 |
|
|
|
| $179.95 |
| 84 |
|
|
|
| $349.95 $400 $50 |
| 82 |
|
|
|
| $381.95 |