What are the Best WiFi Speakers of 2016? (Reviews and Smart Guide)

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best-wifi-speakers-review-guideWires can be a real pain. Not only do they get tangled up frequently, they also limit your ability to place your devices where they need to be. Fortunately, technology has advanced to the point where most electronic devices no longer need wires. One such electronic device is speakers.

Because they’re free from wires, WiFi speakers are capable of being placed anywhere within their designed WiFi range. As long as they’re in the general proximity of the device they’re being synced up to, they will provide you with strong, clear, and rich audio.

What are WiFi Speakers?

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WiFi speakers are like any audio speakers except that they don’t need to be connected via wire to the device that they are being synced up to. These speakers come in all different shapes and sizes with some being large and powerful, and others being compact and capable of easy storage and transportation.

Because they’re wireless, they can be synced up to any device that has WiFi capabilities, whether that device be a laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet, smartphone, or otherwise. A high-quality WiFi speaker provides as much physical freedom as you’re going to get from a speaker.

What are the Advantages of WiFi Speakers?

When compared with wired speakers, it’s not even close; WiFi speakers are the far superior speakers. Because they’re wireless they possess ultimate freedom, capable of being moved around and placed anywhere within the general proximity of their source device.

Additionally, WiFi speakers can be used with a number of different devices at different times with little trouble or hassle. Simply sync them up to your smartphone, computer, or tablet for instant audio capabilities. It should also be noted that WiFi speakers are much better suited to being transported from place to place.

Who are the Contenders for Best WiFi Speakers?

Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker – Measuring in at 5 inches x 2.1 inches x 5.3 inches and weighing just 1.25 pounds, this Bose WiFi speaker is as portable as WiFi speakers come. Equipped with intuitive voice prompts, it allows you to operate it from anywhere in its general vicinity. Stocked with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it provides up to 8 hours of continuous, well-rounded, rich audio.

SONOS PLAY:1 Compact Smart Speaker – Equipped with two custom drivers, each stocked with their own amp, the Sonos Play:1 possesses an auto-tune feature which ensures that your music sounds perfect for the room that it’s currently being played in. Measuring in at 4.7 inches x 4.7 inches x 6.4 inches, and weighing in at 4.1 pounds, it can be easily picked up with one hand and transported with very little effort. Designed to withstand high humidity, it can be used during showers, or outside on a muggy day.

Anker SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker – With an incredible 66-foot WiFi range, the Anker SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker is one of the most powerful mini Wifi speakers on the market. Measuring in at 1.77 inches x 6.5 inches x 2.13 inches, and weighing in at just 0.79 pounds, it’s beyond easy to store and transport from place to place. Equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it provides up to 24 hours of continuous play.

Considerations for Choosing the Right WiFi Speakers

WiFi speakers come in a number of different shapes and sizes, with some of them being small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and others being big enough to take up the entire capacity of your desk. While the size and shape of the WiFi speakers you choose is completely dependent on your wants and needs, there are other aspects to consider in WiFi speakers that directly affect their overall quality. These include their signal range, sound quality, portability, and any other additional features.

Range

When purchasing WiFi speakers, one of the most important things to consider about them is how far their signal is able to travel. WiFi speakers can range anywhere from 5 feet to 50 feet and over. Consider what exactly you plan to use the speakers for before making a final purchase.

Sound Quality

Probably the most important thing to consider in any set of speakers is their overall sound quality. While everyone has a different preference for their exact sound specifications, there are a few sound components that everyone desires. These include full, rich bass, soaring, but not overwhelming treble, and smooth, consistent mids.

Portability

While you may plan on keeping your speakers in exactly the same place at all times, you might also have a need to move your speakers around frequently. If so, you need to make sure that you purchase speakers which can be picked up, stored, and transported with general ease. There are many palm-sized speakers that fit this bill, and also some large ergonomic ones as well.

Special Features

From voice-activated operation prompts, to built-in, intuitive music tuners, WiFi speakers possess a bevy of additional features. While none of these features are absolutely necessary, they do make the use of your speakers all that much easier. If your budget can afford these features, you should certainly take advantage of them.

Range

Anker SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker

Providing an incredible 66-foot WiFi range, the Anker SoundCore speaker can be placed anywhere in the general vicinity of the device it’s being used with. This includes connection to tablets, smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers alike.

SONOS PLAY:1 Compact Smart Speaker

Although the Sonos Play:1 has no listed WiFi range, users have reported that it provides a strong signal in every part of both two and three story houses. These houses were around 4,000 square feet in area. This means that you can set your speakers essentially anywhere remotely close to their source device without losing signal.

Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker

With a WiFi range of around 30 feet, the Bose SoundLink falls slightly below the Anker SoundCore and Sonos Play:1 in terms of overall range. However, it is still plenty powerful enough to extend across the majority of your home. As long as your speakers are in the general vicinity of their source device, you will not run into any problems.

Sound Quality

Bose SoundLink

Though it’s a compact speaker, the Bose SoundLink provides truly rich, expansive, and all-immersing sound. With rich, soothing bass, and well-balanced mid and treble, it allows every nuance of every song to shine to its full extent

SONOS PLAY:1

Possessing one mid-woofer, and one tweeter with an amp designated for each, the Sonos Play:1 provides you with large, balanced, and immersive sound regardless of whether you’re listening to music, watching videos, or speaking on the phone. Its trueplay tuning feature intuitively adjusts its sound to meet the exact conditions of the room it’s in.

Anker SoundCore

As far as sound quality goes, the Anker SoundCore falls just below the Sonos Play and Bose SoundLink. Providing well-rounded stereo sound, it makes use of a patented spiral bass port to supply incredible, but balanced low-end to every song you listen to.

Portability

Bose SoundLink

Measuring in at 2.1 inches x 5 inches x 5.3 inches, the Bose SoundLink is about as compact of a WiFi speaker as you’re going to find. Weighing in at a miniscule 1.2 pounds, it can be picked up with ease and stored away in a bag with little to no effort.

Anker SoundCore

Weighing in at just 0.79 pounds and measuring in at 1.77 inches x 6.5 inches x 2.13 inches, the Anker SoundCore is small enough to fit in your pocket, making it beyond easy to transport from place to place. If you can’t find a way to transport this WiFi speaker, you’re going to have trouble transporting any WiFi speaker.

SONOS PLAY:1

Measuring in at 4.7 inches x 4.7 inches x 6.4 inches, the Sonos Play:1 is a bit larger than the Anker Soundcore, but is still beyond easy to transport from place to place. Weighing in at 4.1 pounds, it can be picked up with one hand and stored in a bag of just about any size.

Special Features

Bose SoundLink

Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the Bose SoundLink offers up to 8 hours of continuous use. With the ability to remember the last 8 songs you listened to, it connects easily to each device it comes into contact with. Programmed with intuitive sound prompts, it can be operated from anywhere within speaking distance.

SONOS PLAY:1

Designed to withstand high-humidity situations, the Sonos Play:1 can be used outside, around showers, and any other place in which a lot of moisture will be in the air. In addition to its trueplay tuning feature which intuitively adjusts your sound to meet the conditions of the room you’re in, it also comes with an app through which you can manage all of your music accounts.

Anker SoundCore

Equipped with a built-in microphone, the Anker SoundCore can be used to make convenient, hands-free phone calls. Powered by a Li-ion rechargeable battery, it possesses 24 hours of continuous play time, or up to 500 different songs over a long period.

Conclusion: Our WiFi Speakers Reviews

Etekcity RoverBeats T3 – Best Cheap

etekcity-roverbeats-t3While the top-notch WiFi speakers can be a little expensive, there are certainly some high-quality speakers out there for affordable prices. One of these is the Etekcity RoverBeats Bluetooth Speaker. With a 33-foot WiFi range, it allows you to take it fairly far away from its source device without the loss of a strong signal. Measuring in at 2.52 inches x 2.52 inches x 2.64 inches and weighing in at just 6 ounces, it’s unbelievably compact and easy to store. If you’re looking for the best WiFi speaker at an affordable price, you must take a look at this one.

Pros:

  • Ridiculously compact and easy to store
  • Above average WiFi range of 33 feet

Cons:

  • Limited playtime
  • Its built-in microphone is sub-par

Anker SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker – Best for the Money

anker-soundcoreArguably the best WiFi speaker currently on the market, the Anker SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker is easily the best WiFi speaker for the money. With an incredible 24 hour run time, it sports a rechargeable lithium ion battery that can be fully charged in around 2 hours. Offering an incredible 66-foot WiFi range, it can be placed just about anywhere in your house without the loss of a strong signal. If you’re looking for an incredible WiFi speaker at a very reasonable price, you should certainly take a look at this one.

Pros:

  • Superb 66-foot WiFi range
  • As portable as they come
  • Ridiculous 24-hour run time

Cons:

  • Some users complain that it’s not loud enough

Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker – Best Overall

bose-soundlink-color-bluetooth-speakerThough there are a great many WiFi speakers currently on the market, we’ve decided to go with the Bose SoundLink as the best WiFi speaker around. Though it only provides 8 hours of continuous run time, it provides as good of sound quality as you’re going to find in a mini speaker. Equipped with voice prompts for remote programming, it allows you to sync it up with devices from all the way across the room. Looking for the best WiFi speaker on the market? You must take a look at this one.

Pros:

  • Superb sound quality
  • Possesses easy-to-use voice prompts
  • Compact and easy to store

Cons:

  • Limited 8 hour continuous run time

All in All

Looking for a compact, easy-to-store speaker that can be transported from place to place with ultimate freedom? A WiFi speaker is just the thing you’re looking for. It be moved around with ease. Plus it will also allow you to connect to different devices with little trouble.

Compact and powerful devices like the Bose Speaker provide strong, well-balanced, pristine sound from many different devices without the use of annoying wires. Want to listen to music with as little fuss as possible? Invest in a high-quality WiFi speaker.