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Buying Guide: The Best Wireless Speakers For Your iPhone or iPad
Your new Apple iPhone or Apple iPad needs better sound. It may have a Lightning connector, but Lightning speaker docks simply haven't caught on like classic iPod docks with Apple's older 30-pin connector, and tablets are a bit trickier to dock than smartphones. Besides, wired sound is so last decade; for your new tablet you really want wireless convenience, with the ability to control your tunes from wherever you are.
There are plenty of wireless speaker options, from Bluetooth to AirPlay to even proprietary Wi-Fi standards. They can all deliver clean sound these days, but it depends on what you want to listen to, where you want to listen to it, and how much you're willing to spend.
For portable music, Bluetooth is the way to go. Many Bluetooth speakers are small enough to pack into your bag, and come with rechargeable batteries that let them run for hours without plugging them in. For a home system, a plugged-in Wi-Fi speaker is a better choice. AirPlay and other Wi-Fi-based standards generally offer better sound quality, and since these speakers are larger and stay plugged in, they often have much more power. Some also let you set up multi-room audio and seamlessly switch between rooms without re-pairing your iPad with a different speaker.
These speakers each represent one of the best choices you can get for its respective purpose, and can be found for as little as $100 or as much as $1,400. For more options in each category, look at our lists of the top wireless speakers, the best AirPlay speakers, and the best Bluetooth speakers.
Best Overall Bluetooth Speaker
Bose SoundLink III
$299.95
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Bose SoundLink II was an excellent Bluetooth speaker, and the SoundLink III slightly improves on that with a warmer, louder sound, even if it doesn't look quite as stylish. Read the full review ››
Best Bluetooth Speaker for Travel
Bose SoundLink Mini
$199.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% This small Bluetooth speaker puts out louder, richer sound than any speaker its size should, and its handy charging dock keeps it in one place when you're not tossing it in your bag. Read the full review ››
Best Rugged Speaker
Soundcast Melody
$449.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% It might look like a big bucket, but the splash-resistant, UV-resistant, portable Soundcast Melody sounds excellent and gets loud enough to power your next pool party. Read the full review ››
Best Budget Bluetooth Speaker
Boom Movement Swimmer
$59.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% Yes, it kind of looks like a cross between a sperm and a showerhead. It's waterproof, sounds pretty good, and costs just $60. Are you really going to complain? Read the full review ››
Best General Purpose AirPlay Speaker
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air (With Lightning Connector)
$599.99
The blimp-shaped B&W Zeppelin Air has been around for a few years, but it still stands as one of the best AirPlay speakers out there. It now has a version with a Lightning connector, so you can dock your iPad Air on it if you want to. Read the full review ››
Best Home Theater Wireless Speaker
Polk N1 Surroundbar
$299.95
%displayPrice% at %seller% Polk's Xbox-themed soundbar looks attractive, sounds good, and features Bluetooth so you can stream music from your iPad with ease. It's also one of the few soundbars out there available with a non-black version. Read the full review ››
Best Wireless Multi-Room Speaker System
Sonos Play:1
$199.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% AirPlay isn't your only option for multi-room sound. Sonos' Play:1 packs a solid sound and a flexible Wi-Fi based streaming system into an affordable $200 package. Read the full review ››
Best Wireless Desktop Speakers
Grace Digital Bluetooth Speakers
$249.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% Desktop speakers might not seem iPad-friendly, since you'll probably keep all of your music on your computer as well. Still, these Bluetooth stereo speakers can play music from both your computer and your iPad, and offer the real stereo separation most other iPad speakers don't. Read the full review ››