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Whether you’re interested in background music for your next party or looking to upgrade a stereo system, there’s a speaker set ready for you. Speakers tend to be designed with a specific purpose in mind. For example, maybe you need speakers for your TV, computer speakers or a set for a specific room. Or maybe you need a portable one Bluetooth speakers to travel. There is a speaker for every situation.
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Not all speakers are created equal
I’ve highlighted the best wired and wireless speakers I’ve tested that cost between $50 and $1,000. While most embedded systems are powered speakers, you can also find passive ones bookshelf speakerslike Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2which only needs to be matched with a large AV receiver.
from intelligent speakers of external speakers to be immersive home theater systemeach model I selected has good sound quality and is the best speaker in the particular category. I’ll be updating this list from time to time as we review new products, so you can take your audio setup to the next level.
Read more: Best Soundbar for 2025
With great sound, a compact size and the Alexa voice assistant built-in, the Sonos Era 100 packs a lot of punch, making it the best smart speaker for the money.
Elac has been wearing classic, affordable designs since its inception in 2015. The Debut 2.0 demonstrates the brand’s appeal to the budget-conscious and audiophiles. It offers a lively, meaningful sound and attractive looks for around $400.
Pros
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Large, generously proportioned speakers
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Excellent sound quality perfect for long binge sessions
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Nothing holds a candle to it for money
Cons
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Could be smoother, especially in its lower register
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Dustcaps are less lined
Want the biggest sound? You need big speakers. The fit and finish of the large Fluance XL8 towers is unmatched by other speakers at its price. The XL8F’s sound is open and exciting, but never screeching, and when fed a movie soundtrack these speakers simply hum. They are also not into music. If you want the best speaker for your money, the big Fluance XL8F has no equal.
Pros
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Very powerful (pocket-friendly)
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More bass and volume than most speakers this small
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Waterproof and dustproof (IP67)
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Integrated strap
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Can be linked to another StormBox Micro for stereo mode
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USB-C charging
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8 hours of battery life
Cons
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Not as strong as the Bose SoundLink Micro
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Distorts slightly at higher volumes with some tracks
Budget Bluetooth speakers seem to be a dime a dozen, but among the countless options there are some gems. The $50 Tribit Stormbox Micro is a compact, portable speaker that offers waterproofing and excellent bass for its size.
Pros
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Compact, easy to set up and affordable
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Excellent dialogue reproduction
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Tried and true Roku experience
Cons
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Movies and music lack bass
The $130 Roku Streambar is a hybrid soundbar-4K video streamer and the most welcome surprise is that it does both tasks well. Match it with a room TV and the optional Onn Wireless Sub for a killer home theater setup.
If there’s ever a home theater bargain this is it – for the same price as the Elac speakers above you can get a full Dolby Atmos setup. In a sub! The sound quality is excellent and the Klipsch kit includes all the cables you need in the box.
The Edifier R1280DB offers almost everything you could want in a PC speaker – excellent sound, a range of connections including Bluetooth and a compact footprint – and all for a reasonable $150. It doesn’t offer USB, though, so connect the headphone/line from your PC to it.
Pros
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Excellent sound in a compact size
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Amazon Alexa on board
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DTS Virtual:X
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Articulated subwoofer
The Yamaha YAS-209 is one of the most fully featured soundbars the company has to offer – especially for the price. With Alexa, HDMI connectivity and a wireless subwoofer, this soundbar wants for nothing. The sound quality is also good.
Pros
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Motorized speakers work well.
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Excellent sound for movies and music.
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Many connections
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Includes rear and wireless sub.
Cons
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Not as easy to use as the Sonos Arc
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There is no Apple AirPlay support
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Pretty short cables all around
The Vizio Elevate may have one big gimmick at its core, the rotating height speaker, but it also offers sound quality to back up the gee-whizzery. It is a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos soundbar, with a large subwoofer, and its performance is equally exciting for movies and music. Add a bunch of streaming features and you have the best system around under a grand.
