The best wireless speaker 2021: find the best connected speakers for your home

Date:
Thu, 24 Jun 2021 12:10:48 +0000

Description:
Looking for the best wireless speaker? Here are our top picks to get music flowing throughout your home.

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The best wireless speakers in 2021 come in a range of shapes and sizes, from compact voice assistant-enabled desk buddies right through to big multi-room models thatll fill your home with sound.

As well as offering pristine audio playback, the best wireless speakers have lots of modern features packed in, including smart assistants like Siri,
Alexa and Google Assistant . Many of the best home speakers also boast built-in support for a range of your favorite streaming services, as well as slick designs that will look the part in any home.

Some of these wireless speakers double up as Bluetooth speakers as well. This means you can easily cast music from your phone or another Bluetooth device, though some rely on a Wi-Fi network.

This round-up of the best speakers of 2021 is growing all the time, and with the new Amazon Echo , the latest Google Nest Audio smart speaker, and the Apple HomePod mini , there are plenty of new devices to sink your teeth into. We also expect plenty more to be unveiled as 2021 unfolds.

Whatever you need a new wireless speaker for, making the right decision can
be a challenge, theres just so much choice. Thats why weve selected and
ranked the best wireless speakers for 2021 based on price and performance to make your decision a little easier. Try Amazon Music Unlimited with a FREE trial: US | UK | AU Our top picks (Image credit: Sonos) 1. Sonos One

For the time-being, the Sonos One is the king of connected speakers Weight: 1.85kg (4.08 lbs) | Size: 6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69 in | Drivers: 1 x tweeters, 1 x woofer | Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 4.2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, 3.5mm, RCA | Ethernet: No | Aux-in: Yes | USB: No Full-bodied, rich sound Alexa and Google Assistant Combine two for stereo setup Premium price

If you're in the market for a cleanly designed, exceptional sounding
connected speaker, you'll find none better than the Sonos One. Offering the best of both Sonos' multi-room speaker platform and both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant's smart home prowess, the Sonos One is the pinnacle of connectivity.

Want to hear your favorite song from Spotify? All you need to do is ask! Want every speaker in the upstairs to play the same song? Group them together via the Sonos app and you'll have a house party in minutes.

While there are more powerful (and more expensive) speakers listed down
below, for the vast majority of folks, the Sonos One is the best wireless speaker of 2021.

Read more: Sonos One review (Image credit: Sonos) 2. Sonos Play:5

Another excellent flagship speaker from the multi-room king Weight: 6.3kg | Size: 204mm x 364mm x 154mm | Drivers: 3 x tweeters, 1 x woofer | Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 4.2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, 3.5mm,
RCA | Ethernet: No | Aux-in: Yes | USB: No Easy to setup Powerful sound
Simple design

Sonos was one of the first companies to get into the wireless speaker business, and as a result has one of the most seamlessly integrated speaker systems on the market.

Unlike solutions which rely on Bluetooth or Google Cast, Sonos' speakers are controlled directly from its own app, which has built in integration for a number of streaming services, including Spotify , Tidal , Apple Music , Deezer, TuneIn, and a whole range of smaller services.

Since the Play:5 comes with multi-room support, you can also add additional speakers such as the Sonos Play:3 and Sonos Play:1 to built up a complete surround sound system, but if you want to keep it simple, then you should
find the Play:5 to offer more than enough volume.

Read more: Sonos Play:5 review (Image credit: Pure Evoke) 3. Pure Evoke C-F6

The all-in-one audio system of your dreams Weight: 4.2kg | Size: 380 mm x 145 mm x 223 mm | Drivers: 2 x 3" full range | Supported Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Ethernet: Yes | Aux-in: Yes | USB: No Modest and attractive
design Incredible playback options No Google Cast support

The Pure Evoke C-F6 isn't a flashy wireless speaker its modest (but refined) looks let it slip unassumingly into any decor, although it doesn't boast the premium multi-room options of pricier competitors on this list.

But that's also not really the point of the Evoke C-F6 it's positioning itself to be the one-room, one-shop stop for all your audio playback needs. There's a dazzling array of audio source options on offer here, with the biggest draws being Spotify Connect, DAB, Internet radio, Bluetooth and old faithful CD playback.

With a solid app letting you control the speaker from across a room, and the Evoke C-F6 offering a warm and natural soundstage from its stereo speakers, it'll take pride of place on whichever bedside table or living room shelf you decide to pop it on.

Read more: Pure Evoke C-F6 review

The Pure Evoke C-F6 seems to only be available in the UK right now, but
we'll keep our eyes peeled in case any US or Australian retailers restock the wireless speaker. (Image credit: Sonos) 4. Sonos Move

The best Bluetooth speaker in the world Weight: 6.61 pounds (3kg) | Battery life: 10 hours | Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz, and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 4.2 | Drivers: One down-firing tweeter, one mid-woofer, two Class-D digital amplifiers | NFC: No | Aux-in: No | USB charging: Yes (USB-C, and comes with charging dock) Integrates with a home Sonos speaker network On-the-go tunes Not as feature-rich when using Bluetooth Cant be used as rear cinema speakers

Heres the thing about theSonos Move its so good, you might want to consider
it not only as your on-the-go party station, but also as your main in-the-homewireless speakertoo.

With two quality drivers, a solid app that unlocks playback from hundreds of wireless sources, multi-room capabilities and smart audio-tuning tech which tweaks the output based on the speaker's immediate surroundings, the Sonos Move is engineered well beyond your average Bluetooth speaker. It's a versatile speaker, one that stands solidly alongside the built-for-home Sonos speakers that the company made its name on.

Its not perfect its heavy as a byproduct of its incredible sound, its expensive due to its rich feature set, and it sadly cant be used as rear channels for a home cinema set-up. But if youve got the money, its hard to fault the Sonos Move when it comes to hunting down the one of the best Bluetooth speakers in the world.

Read more: Sonos Move review

Note: If you're looking for a more portable option, check out the Sonos
Roam. It's our pick for the best Bluetooth speaker in 2021, and it's much smaller and more rugged than the Move. (Image credit: Bose) 5. Bose Home Portable Speaker

A great Sonos Move alternative Weight: 2.4 pounds | Battery life: 12 hours | Wireless range: N/A | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | NFC: No | Bluetooth version: 4.2 | Aux-in: No | USB charging: Yes Great design Well-balanced sound Expensive Lacking in bass

There's a growing market for portable smart speakers, and the Bose Portable Home Speaker is a great example, offering the smarts ofGoogle Assistantand Alexa alongside Bluetooth connectivity.

The Bose Portable Home Speaker isnt the brands first outdoor-friendly
speaker, and it shows: gorgeous minimalist design meets weather-ready robustness, with a light build and handle that lends itself to listening on the go.

It doesnt quite meet the sonic dexterity of the Sonos Move, or the value for money of the UE Boom 3 and JBL Charge 4 but if you love that Bose sound and build quality, this is the speaker for you.

Read more: Bose Portable Home Speaker review 6. Mu-So Qb

Stunning looks, but thankfully not just a pretty face Weight: 5.6kg | Size: 210mm x 218mm x 212mm | Drivers: 1 x Woofer, 2 x Mid-range, 2 x Tweeter, 2 x Passive Radiator | Supported Connectivity: UPnP, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth aptX | Ethernet: Yes | Aux-in: Yes | USB: Yes Amazing looks Full
and vibrant sound Small form factor Setup isn't seamless

You might not have heard of it before, but Naim audio is a company that produces some of the most stylish connected speakers in the business, and we think the Mu-So Qb is the best they've put out yet.

It comes will a full suite of connectivity options including aptX Bluetooth, Spotify Connect and AirPlay, which means all of your music should be
supported at its maximum resolution, no matter what device you're using.

But even if you don't have your phone in hand, this wireless speaker is still controllable using its sleek touch-screen which allows you to access internet radio stations, for example.

It's got a premium price, but if you pluck for the Qb then you won't be disappointed.

Read more: Mu-So Qb review (Image credit: Sonos) 7. Sonos Arc

The best wireless soundbar you can buy right now Dimensions: 1141.7 x 87 x 115.7mm (W x H x D) | Speaker configuration: 5.0.2 | Claimed audio power: N/A | Connections: HDMI input (ARC), optical digital audio to HDMI converter, Bluetooth, Ethernet port, 802.11b,g Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, IR receiver Dolby Atmos, TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus Discrete all-in-one soundbar Amazing surround sound and music playback Doesnt suit every room

Sonos has a new surround sound solution and its contained entirely in a
single soundbar it calls Arc.

The Sonos Arc draws on Dolbys latest TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus sound codecs to deliver the best quality lossless audio found on cutting edge Blu-ray disks and some of the leading streaming services. It then enhances
the 3D soundscape using Dolby Atmos object tracks to bounce certain sounds
off the walls around you so they feel like theyre coming at you from all angles.

While all this might sound complicated, the Sonos Arc setup couldnt be simpler, involving just a couple of steps on the smartphone app. The minimalist cable connections and all-in-one system construction add to this no-fuss feeling and streamlined aesthetic making it the best soundbar you
can buy in 2021 that doubles up as a fantastic wireless speaker for your TV.

Read more: Sonos Arc review Looking for more great soundbars? Check out the best soundbars you can buy (Image credit: Google ) 8. Google Home Max

The best Google Assistant speaker Weight: 3.2kg | Size: 209 x 294 x 166 mm | Drivers: 2x Tweeters, 2x Woofers | Supported Connectivity: DLNA, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, USB, 3.5mm | Ethernet: Yes | Aux-in: Yes | USB: Yes
Sounds incredible Google Cast built-in Bluetooth compatible Exclusive to the US

When it comes to stuffing a small apartment with Google Assistant devices, is too much of a good thing bad? As the Google Home Max proved to us, the answer is no.

Although absolutely massive, the Home Max makes for a surprisingly versatile addition to a space of any size, thanks to its balanced, awesome sound delivery and Smart Sound function that helps it adjust to any environment you set it in.

Googles biggest wireless speaker is more elegant than it has any right to be, what with clever touches like the moveable resting pad and orientation-friendly touch functions. Its also appreciated that its looks stand out if you choose to notice it, but blend into the scene during
everyday use.

Read more: Google Home Max review

[Update: We've reviewed the latest Google speaker the Google Nest Audio brings improved audio and a new design to the brand's flagship wireless speaker.] (Image credit: KEF) 9. KEF LS50 Wireless II

Truly phenomenal stereo speakers for wire-free listening Dimensions: 305 x
200 x 311 mm (12 x 7.9 x 12.2 in.) | Weight: 20.1kg (44.31lbs) | Dolby Atmos
/ DTS:X enabled: No | Active or Passive: Active | Subwoofer: N/A | Frequency response: 40 Hz 47 kHz | Maximum Output: 108dB Phenomenal audio quality Easy setup Lots of connection options Pricey

Available in a range of chic colors, the LS50 Wireless II build upon the success of LS50 Wireless , which impressed with their detailed sound and connectivity options, to create what could be the best stereo speakers you
can buy today at this price.

With support for Hi-Res Audio , an expansive soundstage, and excellent detail and dexterity, audio quality is nothing short of fantastic. Add to this a vastly improved app, the ability to adjust the EQ settings, and blissfully easy setup, and you have yourself a pair of stereo speakers that can really
do no wrong in our eyes.

Read more: KEF LS50 Wireless II review Image credit: TechRadar (Image
credit: Marshall) 10. Marshall Stanmore

A hyper-connected stylish speaker Weight: 4.70kg | Size: 350 x 185 x 185 mm | Drivers: 2x Mid-to-high range, 1x Woofer | Supported Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth aptX, USB, Toslink/3.5mm | Ethernet: Yes | Aux-in: Yes | USB: Yes Lots of connectivity options Great retro design Big heavy build Price

Of its trio of wireless multi-room speakers, the Marshall Stanmore is the middle child. However, that doesn't mean it's the unloved sibling.

While the larger Woburn is just a little too big for most rooms, and the smaller Acton has a number of connectivity issues, the Stanmore strikes a
nice balance between the two with a sound that's big and punchy, without straying too far into 'overkill' territory (although mark our words, it will if you want it to).

It features its own app for controlling it, but we were fans of how nicely it integrates with a host of other services including AirPlay, Google Cast and Spotify Connect, meaning you can stick to the apps you're familiar with while still controlling your new toy.

But it's the on-board controls that impressed us the most. You're able to set presets from a number of different services, meaning you can happily switch between pre-defined Spotify playlists and internet radio stations with a
twist of a vintage Marshall-styled brass knob.

It's not got the most refined sound out of the speakers on this list, but the Marshall Stanmore is intelligently designed and simple to use.If you're looking for something to take on the road, check out our Marshall Tufton review it packs the vintage Marshall look and rocking sound into a portable design.

Read more: Marshall Stanmore review (Image credit: Amazon) 11. Amazon Echo Studio

The best Alexa speaker Weight: 7.7lbs | Size: 206 x 175mm | Drivers: 1 x upward-firing midrange speaker, 1 x right-firing midrange speaker, 1 x left-firing mid-range speaker, 1 x forward-firing tweeter, 1 x
downward-firing woofer | Supported Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, Airplay | Ethernet: No | Aux-in: Yes | USB: No Gigantic sound Alexa smarts Larger than your average Echo 3D audio is a mixed bag

The Amazon Echo Studio is an impressive offering - a smart-speaker and Dolby Atmos immersive sound home cinema unit, all in one tidy package. Some of its experiments with upmixing stereo sources can sound a bit confused, but it's otherwise a very powerful, feature-rich smart speaker especially considering the price.

It's a good option for anyone who's low on space and can't stretch to an upfiring soundbar or multi-speaker setup, while Alexa smarts means that it
can act as the center of your smart home, as well as your music player.

If you're upgrading from the simple speakers built into your TV, or a lowly stereo soundbar, it's a fantastic and simple upgrade to make to your home cinema system. You'll get a cracking, resonant bass response, excellent
volume and far more depth than a comparably-priced soundbar can offer.

As ever with virtualized surround sound, it's not as impactful as having discrete physical speaker channels above and behind you, hooked up to an AV receiver . But that's a huge expense, and not practical for all living room arrangements, making the powerful Echo Studio an impressive value option.

Read more: Amazon Echo Studio review

[Update: We've just reviewed the Amazon Echo Show 10 , which comes with a rotating screen and can double up as a home security camera.] (Image credit: Apple) 12. Apple HomePod

Superb sound, so-so smart speaker Great sound Nice, minimal design Siri's scope is limited Apple Music needed

The Apple HomePod finally entered the wireless speaker battle for your bookshelf in early 2018, and it's still a great choice in 2021.

The obvious benefit of an Apple HomePod over an Echo or Google Home device is that it'll play nice with your other Apple products. So if you're a die-hard Apple fan the HomePod may be a no-brainer.

But it's worth asking the same question you should always be asking yourself when you want to splurge on a new Apple product: how much of a premium should you pay for owning a device that fits only seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem?

When we reviewed the device we were torn because we were really reviewing two things at once: how the HomePod weighs up as a premium speaker and how it fares as a smart home hub.



In the former category, the HomePod is excellent, as it boasts incredible sound and a very intuitive set-up. But in the latter, Siri is only middling
in its implementation, and the fact that you're not able to break out of the Apple ecosystem for many key functions also rankles.

Read more: Apple HomePod review

[Update: Having first gone on sale at the start of 2018, theApple HomePodsmart speaker is now being discontinued, with Apple turning all of its attention to the smaller (and cheaper) HomePod Mini instead.

That doesn't mean it won't get any updates, though. Apple has now confirmed that theHomePodandHomePod miniare going to support lossless audio on Apple Music when the streaming music catalog gets its upgrade in June.] Best wireless speakers 2021 at a glance Sonos One Sonos Play:5 Pure Evoke C-F6 Sonos Move Bose Portable Home Speaker Mu-So Qb Sonos Arc Google Home Max KEF LS50 Wireless II Marshall Stanmore Amazon Echo Studio Apple HomePod Try
Amazon Music Unlimited with a FREE trial: US | UK | AU How to choose the best wireless speaker for you

When it comes to picking a new home speaker, sound is probably the most important factor. If you're looking for room-filling sound, check out models that feature 360-degree grilles and disperse audio at all angles; the Amazon Echo Studio or the Sonos One are good places to start.

If it's true audio-fidelity you're after, opt for trusted brands like Sonos, Bowers & Wilkins, and KEF speakers from these companies are always likely to sound brilliant.

If smart home connectivity is your main concern, then check out Amazon Echo and Google Home / Nest speakers; you'll need to work out which voice assistant's ecosystem suits you, Alexa or Google Assistant . Wireless speaker deals



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