We at GravaStar know the importance of a great audio experience. This not only goes for when you play games, but also when listening to music at home or with friends on a Bluetooth speaker.
Unfortunately, some of these speakers cost a pretty penny and aren't viable for people who might be on a budget. Because we know not everyone wants to spend a fortune on a speaker, we decided to create this guide to go over some of the most affordable Bluetooth speakers that cost less than $200.
Choosing the right option gives you wonderful audio and a long battery life, without breaking the bank. But going with the wrong option can leave you with a poor listening experience, a battery that dies almost immediately, or a speaker with an unreliable connection.
In our search for the best options to include in this guide, we consulted several in-depth reviews and customer comments. Combining this research with our experience in the industry, our best overall pick for Bluetooth speakers under $200 is JBL Charge 5.
How We Picked
As you search for affordable Bluetooth speakers for under $200, there are a number of crucial considerations to make. Here are a few that are the most important, and why.
Sound quality
Of course, you want to ensure the speaker you choose is great to listen to. Make sure the sound is clear at all volumes, and provides a good overall sound range without distortion. It should sound equally as good on heavy songs with a lot of bass, to lighter sounds with high treble.
If you can't test the speaker out for yourself before buying, make sure to consult reviews or testing to ensure you're making a good choice.
Build quality
Choose a speaker made with quality materials, to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Bluetooth speakers aren't always treated the most carefully, as they're often tossed in a bag without a second thought and put in locations where they can easily fall or be knocked down from.
If you go with a model that's too fragile, it may not last very long. Choose one with a strong and durable outer shell, and preferably one that's waterproof if you plan on taking it anywhere where it could get splashed.
Brand reputation
The credibility of the brand you purchase from is crucial. Choose brands with a solid track record for quality and great audio. While this doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune, if you simply go with the cheapest option you can find (or a brand with poor reviews), you'll often be stuck with a poorly-made speaker or one that offers a subpar listening experience.
Battery life
If the speaker is wireless, its battery life is also an important consideration to make. The last thing you want is to take a speaker out to the beach or a party, only to have it run out of juice in the first hour.
The speaker should last multiple hours on a full charge at least, preferably even longer.
Best Overall: JBL Charge 5
- Battery life: 20 hours
- Durability: IP67 waterproof and dustproof
- Features: Numerous colors and designs, built-in powerbank, and PartyBoost
The JBL Charge 5 is our top choice for the best Bluetooth speaker under $200. It has a solid battery life, is IP67 waterproof and dustproof, and comes in many different colors.
The speaker has balanced audio with clear sounds and is small enough to easily take with you anywhere, without being too tiny that it impacts the audio levels and quality.
We also like how the speaker also doubles as a portable power bank as it has a built-in USB port to charge your devices. The PartyBoost feature is another strong point in our opinion, as it lets you pair the speaker together with other speakers to take your audio to new heights.
However, even if you don't pair the speaker with another, it still provides plenty of volume. YouTuber See Rooster Tech reviewed the speaker and said the sound quality is not only "great", but also "loud".
While there's a ton to like about this speaker, it doesn't have any RGB lights and has a relatively simple, basic, and safe design. This isn't a drawback for everyone, but some people want a speaker with slightly better aesthetics.
Runner-Up: GravaStar Mars Pro
- Battery life: 15 hours
- Durability: Zinc metal alloy design
- Features: RGB lighting, unique design, and touch volume controls
Our next best option is the GravaStar Mars Pro. It has an incredibly unique sci-fi mech design, with a sphere and futuristic robotic legs. The speaker also has 6 dynamic RGB lights that have multiple modes, so you can ensure the speaker fits well in any space.
In addition to looking great, it also offers superb audio with heavy bass, crisp treble, and accurate mids.
The touch volume controls are a big win in our opinion, and make it easy and fun to adjust the volume. You can also pair two of the speakers for an immersive experience. We also like its durability thanks to the zinc metal alloy design.
YouTuber NeverEnoughTech reviewed the speaker and highlighted the overall weight and durability, saying that it's a "tank" and that "consumer electronics devices are just not built like this".
He also highlighted the various aesthetic details he appreciates, like the sculpting, indentation, and more.
A downside is that it's not waterproof, so it might not work if you want to take it to the beach or to a pool party.
Also Great: Bose SoundLink Flex
- Battery life: 12 hours
- Durability: IP67 waterproof
- Features: Built-in microphone, carrying loop, and durable silicone exterior
The Bose SoundLink Flex is another solid option. It's well-made and was designed to not only be water and dust-proof, but also to withstand both rust and drops with a silicone exterior. The sound quality is wonderful, especially considering the small size of the speaker.
We also like how the speaker comes with a built-in microphone, which means you can even make calls on it if need be. The carrying loop is a nice touch in our opinion, as it makes the speaker very easy to take with you anywhere and you can secure it to just about anything.
It also has PositionIQ technology, so no matter how you save it set down or what position it's in, it'll continue to deliver great audio and not get muffled.
YouTuber Smart Home Sounds reviewed the speaker and said it sounds "awesome for its size" and that it might just be the best of both worlds when it comes to size and audio quality.
A drawback is that the battery life lags behind some of its competitors. It's still more than enough for many people, but may not give you that all-day battery life that other options can.
Best for Big Sound: Anker Soundcore Boom 2
- Battery life: 24 hours
- Durability: IPX7 waterproof
- Features: Carrying handle, Colorful light show, and floats on the water
The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 is a large and powerful portable Bluetooth speaker with an impressive 24-hour battery life and a waterproof design. It also has a built-in carrying handle that makes it easy to take along on any adventure.
In addition to being loud thanks to the 50w subwoofer and dual 15w tweeters, it also provides detailed audio that sounds good at all levels. You can also tweak the EQ settings to ensure the speaker sounds just the way you want.
YouTuber New Stuff TV reviewed the speaker and demonstrated some of the audio personalization, such as choosing from a selection of presets, to customizing your own.
We also like how it floats on the water and includes colorful lights on each side. The option to customize the light effects in a number of different ways is another highlight in our opinion.
Unfortunately, a downside of this speaker is that it's relatively bulky and large, but this is necessary to fit the large subwoofer and other audio components to ensure it can sound its best.
The Competition
Here are a few other high-quality options to consider if you're looking for a budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker.
JBL Flip 6: The JBL Flip 6 is a compact portable speaker with solid audio and a durable design. It can pair with other speakers for a wider audio experience and is waterproof. Unfortunately, the battery life falls below what is advertised according to many reviews.
Tribit StormBox Blast: This speaker offers incredible volume, solid bass, and very long battery life compared to many other speakers. It also has several LED lights that can sync to the beat of the music. However, it's at the high end of the price range and isn't as portable as smaller options.
Marshall Emberton II: The Marshall Emberton II provides a rich audio experience with an attractive design and a strong battery life. It's also dust and water-resistant, and small enough to easily take anywhere. However, there are complaints about its longevity and durability over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a couple of common questions about budget Bluetooth speakers, along with our answers.
Are speakers under $200 worth it?
Yes, advancements in audio and technology as a whole has helped even cheaper speakers sound great, something that was once reserved for expensive options.
Not only do they generally sound good, but even cheaper speakers have solid batteries, good build quality, and a consistent connection.
Which size Bluetooth speaker is best?
It depends entirely on your needs. People who want some music for a large gathering or wedding may want to go with a large speaker with a higher volume, but someone who just wants to listen to music on the go or while out with friends may prefer a smaller and more portable option.
How long do wireless Bluetooth speakers last?
Once again, it depends. Generally, they'll last anywhere from a few hours up to almost a full day. The exact battery life depends on the size of the battery, the volume your music is set to, whether the speaker has lights and other factors.
Final Thoughts
While Bluetooth speakers are often relatively durable, you still need to be careful when using it. Too many drops or falls could damage it, which is sure to have an impact on audio quality, or could break the entire speaker.
Of course, make sure to keep it fully charged while at home, so it's always ready to take with you and use at the beach, at a party, or even just in your yard.
Also, make sure to keep an eye on it if you take it somewhere public. These speakers are generally very light and portable, and it's easy for someone to take it and run, so don't leave it unattended if at all possible.