JBL is dominating when it comes to delivering some of the market's best Bluetooth speakers, from slimmer portables like the JBL Flip 6 to the heftier, newer Xtreme 4. Ultimate Ears, Sony, Bose, Beats and many others are attempting to break what often feels like a de facto monopoly, but in terms of consistent excellence, no one else comes close right now.
The tricky part for the buyer, then, isn't knowing to pick JBL, it's knowing which JBL speaker to pick. The decision goes beyond size and shape – of course, more expensive models have more features than their cheaper siblings, and we've found that the incremental updates in sound quality are worth it with every newer iteration. But you might forego some of the additional features for the basic Bluetooth connection, if you're looking to spend less and favour portability over scale of sound. And bear in mind it isn't just the various new models that are worth considering; the previous generations that earned five or four stars are still excellent options, especially when you can buy them at significant discounts.
