The sound quality of a Bluetooth speaker under 200 is questionable, but does that mean you can’t get good sound quality without paying through the nose? To help you in your search, our experts have reviewed a few of the best Bluetooth speakers under 200.
Reviews of the Best Bluetooth Speakers Under 200
1. JBL Charge 3
JBL Charge 3 is a Bluetooth speaker that can simultaneously connect up to 3 smartphones or tablets. You can also easily integrate it into your JBL system to amplify the sound. The smart speaker comes in a wide array of eye-catching colors rather than just black and white.
Charge 3 is a waterproof Bluetooth speaker that makes it easy to use. You won’t have to worry about spillage or weather conditions when you take your portable speaker with you.
You can also pick up calls in between and take full advantage of the echo-cancelling built-in microphone. All it takes is a push of a button to connect or hang up.
Pros
- Waterproof speaker
- High-end yet affordable
- Good battery life
- Many colors
- Noise-cancelling mic
- Connects up to 3 external devices
- Connects to other JBL products
- Lithium ion battery
- An average 20 hours of play time
- JBL Connect +
Cons
- Bluetooth is unstable at greater wireless range
- The cable is thin
2. Bose Soundlink Revolve
Bose Soundlink Revolve, like the Bose Soundlink Mini and Bose Soundlink Color Bluetooth speaker, has a very luxurious and high end design. It comes in at just under our limit and has two color choices.
Due to the design, the Soundlink Revolve can produce true 360-degree sound to fill the room with expansive sound. You can hear your content clearly from any corner. It even has a built-in microphone that allows you to take calls with well balanced sound.
The Bluetooth connection is strong and steady anywhere within 30 feet. Thanks to Bluetooth pairing, you can access your voice assistant in your phone easily and give voice commands completely hands-free.
Pros
- Two colors
- Luxurious appearance
- True 360-degree sound
- Built-in mic
- Strong Bluetooth connection
- Can pair with other Soundlink speakers
- Works with the Bose Connect App
- Works with Siri and Google Assistant
- Stereo sound and Party Mode
- IPX4 water resistant
- Standing speaker for a smaller footprint
Cons
- Prompts you to answer calls through the speaker
- Pairing takes longer
3. Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4
Perhaps the most impressive in terms of sound is the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 4. Aside from great sound, it also works with Siri and Google Assistant with the touch of a button.
The Studio 4 features a unique round design that isn’t seen in many wireless speakers. What is also unseen in many portable speakers is the amazing bass the Onyx Studio 4 is capable of.
Other than the bass, this portable Bluetooth speaker also blends the other sounds of the spectrum together flawlessly for a very enjoyable listening experience.
Pros
- Innovative design
- Comes in two colors
- Incredible bass
- Accurate sound relays
- Strong Bluetooth connection
- Rechargeable battery
- 60 watts of max power
- Can connect with two smart devices
Cons
- Can only be placed on a flat surface
- Short battery life
Bluetooth Speakers Under $200 Buyer’s Guide
Let’s take a closer look at what to consider when buying the best Bluetooth speaker under 200. In each section, our experts have broken down the important traits to look for.
Sound Quality
Bluetooth speakers are only as good as their sound quality. Ideally, your wireless Bluetooth speaker will deliver enveloping sound across large spaces and not lose the precision and clarity.
Because portable Bluetooth speakers such as UE Boom 2 vs JBL Flip 4 are smaller, their drivers will only measure 3-4 inches at most. This means they won’t be quite as loud as regular-sized speakers, but it can still hold its own and produce thrilling audio. Passive radiators will also help with sound production for balanced acoustics.
Other than the ones on our list, some other models that round out the top 10 best Bluetooth speakers under 200 include the JBL Pulse and the Charge 4, the Ultimate Ears Boom also known as the UE Boom, the JBL Flip series, and the Bose Soundlink Color Bluetooth Speaker ii.
Frequency and Response
Look for a speaker with a wide frequency response range. 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz can all be found on the market, but for wireless speakers, you won’t be getting up to 20,000. The wider the frequency range, the more notes and tones your Bluetooth speaker can produce. This will result in better audio quality and more precise relays.
Design and Build
Our experts were careful to choose very different speakers under 200 to give you variety. We have a horizontal option, a standing speaker and one with a unique shape. The shape only pertains to how easy it is to integrate it into your home and little to do with the audio quality.
However, the shape does impact whether or not your speaker can fit a control panel on the surface and how large the batteries and drivers are, which can affect the usability of the device.
All of our wireless speaker options above are very well-built with strong housing and an attractive grille. However, they do come in different sizes. To choose the right size for your home, consider where the placement will be to find the right shape and dimensions.
Portability
The definition of portability on these wireless Bluetooth speaker choices rests on the battery life, charging and durability, which we will get to a bit later, and also the weight. Look for a speaker that is not only small in size, but also lightweight such as JBL Xtreme and Bose Soundlink 3.
How do you control the speaker? One that has a compatible app will be very easy to use. You can set everything with your phone, which accompanies you wherever you go. For example, the JBL Connect + can link your Bluetooth speaker quickly and efficiently to other devices.
All the options on our list are easily portable. Other ones that also meet this criteria are the JBL Charge 4, JBL Flip series and more.
Wireless Connectivity
While some of these speakers work with Wi Fi, the most common form of connection is Bluetooth for speakers. Bluetooth gives incredible versatility and options for connecting your external devices.
The wireless connectivity also allows you to pair voice assistant devices or to accent these virtual helpers such as Siri and Google Assistant directly from your phone. One thing our experts will advise is to keep your external device close to your speaker. While they don’t have to be directly next to each other, anywhere within 30 feet will offer the most stable connection.
Weather-Resistance
How waterproof and weatherproof your device is also impacts the usability, portability and durability. There will be a figure on the IP rating scale [1] that refers to how waterproof or water-resistant your Bluetooth speaker is.
Take heed that waterproof and water-resistance are two different terms. It’s important to differentiate the two when purchasing your speaker. A waterproof speaker can be full-on submerged in water and come out just fine. Even so, our experts do not advise doing this for long periods and frequently.
A speaker that is water-resistant means it can handle splashes and the rain well, but again, our team does not advise leaving them out in stormy weather for long periods. With both definitions, you won’t need to worry about spillage when using your speakers at a party, outdoors or by the pool.
USB Charging and Battery Life
To be a portable Bluetooth speaker, it will need to have a rechargeable battery. This means you can charge your battery and use the speaker without a power source for a certain length of time. How many hours of battery life your device offers is a huge consideration for Bluetooth speakers. We see lots of speakers that can offer 12 hours or more, so that has set the standard.
12 hours of battery will function better than just an 8 hour battery life. For the price range, our experts wouldn’t expect too much in terms of these features, but the ones we have suggested above can perform well for hours without recharging.
FAQ
What is the best Bluetooth speaker under $200?
The best Bluetooth speaker under 200 is the JBL Charge 3. Not only is it a very nice speaker to look at, it’s also one of the most durable on the market with a very high IP waterproof rating. The battery can function for 20 hours without a recharge and the audio from the speaker itself is powerful and expansive.
Our Top Pick For a Bluetooth Speaker Under $200: JBL Charge 3
For our top pick of the best Bluetooth speaker under 200, our experts chose the JBL Charge 3. The appealing aesthetics aside, the speaker is a very durable one that ranks high on the IP waterproof rating scale. You won’t have to worry about liquids around this wireless speaker.
Perhaps one of the most appealing traits about the Charge 3 is the battery life. It goes above and beyond with a 12-hour window where you can play your favorite tunes away from the power source.
The speaker is lightweight, attractive, easily portable and can even allow you to take calls with a noise cancelling mic built-in. The highs, mids and lows are clear and accurate.
Want to know which is better between JBL Charge 3 and JBL Pulse 2? Check our comparison of JBL Charge 3 and Pulse 2 here.
The post What is the Best Bluetooth Speaker Under 200? Awesome Sounding Device in a Portable Package (2020) appeared first on The Product Analyst.
from The Product Analyst https://theproductanalyst.com/best-bluetooth-speakers-under-200/
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