Wi-Fi speakers have become a common feature in our daily life, both indoors and outdoors. However, it’s not necessary to spend a lot of money to get a high-quality one. The finest streaming speakers have Wi-Fi connectivity and provide exceptional sound quality. Moreover, Bluetooth is included in many speakers too. We’ve gathered the top Wi-Fi speakers we’ve tested in the CNET labs to help you choose the one that will best complement your home audio system.
With Wi-Fi streaming, you can manage music in a setting with multiple rooms, and the majority of Wi-Fi speakers also provide voice control, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple’s Siri. As a result, you can direct your speaker to play a particular song and it will play it for you. To learn more, be sure to check out CNET’s top-rated smart speakers.
If you don’t prefer voice control, you can easily disable it in streaming speakers that provide this feature. Moreover, you do not need to spend a lot of money as there are excellent non-smart options for multiroom speakers like the Ikea Symfonisk Bookshelf priced at $140. For a better understanding, read on to find the top Wi-Fi speakers that suit your requirements.
Also Recommended: Top Bluetooth Speakers for 2023.
The Sonos Era 100 is considered the top speaker with a price point of $249. It is a smart speaker that can satisfy any music enthusiast due to its compact design, superior audio quality, and stereo playback features which surpasses the award-winning One. The Era 100 is now more versatile than ever before, as it features Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility- turning it into an even more adaptable streaming speaker.
$249 on Crutchfield, $249 at Best Buy, and $249 at B&H Photo-Video.
Check out the Sonos Era 100 and Era 300: Experience the Latest Wireless Streaming Speaker Technology. Watch this video, which is 03:38 in length.
JBL Playlist 150 is the best option for Android users among affordable Chromecast built-in speakers that have great sound quality. Although Google has many speaker options, including the discontinued Home Max, it’s surprising that there are only a few good options for music listening. The JBL Playlist has a large speaker and is capable of filling a typical room with sound. It also offers Bluetooth and an auxiliary input for added convenience. Although it is not considered a smart speaker, it can be controlled by an existing Google Assistant speaker.
Check out our review of the JBL Playlist.
Currently priced at $173 on Amazon. You have set up price alerts for the JBL Playlist 150.
Amazon’s creation, the Echo Studio, is the top-performing device in the Amazon Echo lineup. Its effortless setup and powerful sound quality make it capable of filling an entire room. Featuring impressive bass, clear audio and highs, it is the unparalleled winner among Amazon Echo devices. The device is Alexa-enabled and offers access to various streaming services, including Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Tidal and more.
Check out our review of the Amazon Echo Studio.
Buy now for $200 on Amazon, Best Buy, or Target.
Apple HomePod Mini
Top-notch AirPlay Speaker
While the HomePod Mini may not boast the same output power as the new HomePod, it does offer exceptional value at just one-third of the cost. Despite its small size, this speaker is packed with an impressive range of features, including the Siri voice assistant and temperature and humidity controls. What’s more, the sound quality is exceptional, making it a great addition to any home. For those already entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, particularly those who rely heavily on Siri, the Apple HomePod Mini is an ideal choice.
$99 available at Best Buy
David Carnoy/CNET
Sonos Roam
Top-notch Outdoor Speaker
The Sonos Roam is no ordinary portable Bluetooth speaker- it is equipped to be used either on-the-go or as part of a Sonos multiroom system. It is reasonably priced (in terms of being a Sonos product) and sounds superior to its competitors. It includes a selection of voice assistants to simplify the music selection process.
You are receiving WiiM Pro price alerts for $149 at Amazon. We have also tested and reviewed two competitors to the Sonos speaker. The JBL Link Portable, currently on sale for $100 off at $180, is both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible, and can play louder with weightier bass than the Sonos Roam. However, reviewer David Carnoy still preferred the sound and build quality of the Sonos. The Bose Home Speaker 300, priced at $280, is a responsive smart speaker with a lovely design, but its audio quality falls short compared to its cheaper competitor, the Sonos One. Additionally, its onboard multiroom system is not compatible with existing SoundTouch products. The 300 appears to be out of production but can still be found new at select retailers or as refurbished models for even less.
The Apple HomePod (2023) now has an edge-to-edge Siri display and improved sound quality with support for Dolby Atmos. It also has temperature and humidity sensors, but at $300, purchasing the HomePod mini with similar features might be a better choice. The Bowers and Wilkins Formation Flex is a stylish speaker with an open-hearted sonic signature, but faces tough competition from the Sonos Five, which delivers a bigger party-ready sound.
The Sonos Move
David Carnoy/CNETThe Sonos Move ($399) provides great sound quality in a very large box and is somewhat portable and water-resistant. It’s perfect for powering a tailgate or large party, but for most people, the Sonos Roam is a better and more affordable choice. Check out CNET’s review of the Sonos Move for more information.Sony SRS-RA5000 ($498): The Sony SRS-RA5000 and the McIntosh RS150 are both quite large speakers. The Sony model is over a foot tall and has 360-degree playback, making it awkward to place. The sound quality is good, but for 3D audio, you can get the Amazon Echo Studio for a quarter of the price. CNET has a first take on the Sony SRS-RA5000.McIntosh RS150 ($1,200): The McIntosh RS150 is a massive speaker that comes with Chromecast built-in, Roon Ready and Spotify Connect. The sound quality is not as clear as expected, and it lacks EQ controls to compensate. Although the previous RS100 had the iconic McIntosh blue meter, the updated version replaces it with LEDs. For the same price, the more compact and high-performing Naim Mu-so Qb is a better option.
What is CNET’s process for testing Wi-Fi speakers?
CNET has a strict and impartial process for evaluating all audio devices, including Wi-Fi speakers, from basic bedside models to high-end systems. Their audio laboratory is equipped with a Roon server on a Synology NAS, Google Nest and Amazon Echo speakers, iOS and Android devices. They conduct a comparative analysis of similar Wi-Fi speakers in a living room setting with different genres of music and utilizing multiple streaming platforms when required. The speakers are evaluated based on clarity, dynamics, bass response, and stereo imaging (if applicable). They also compare proprietary apps with other competitive controllers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wi-Fi Speakers
Is Wi-Fi inferior to Bluetooth?
Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can be identified as wireless speaker systems. Wi-Fi offers the same fundamental convenience as Bluetooth by using your phone’s Wi-Fi connection to play music through an external sound system or speaker. Comparable to Bluetooth-connected speakers, it can function in combination with a subscription music app like Spotify (through Spotify Connect) or Apple Music, a radio service like Pandora or TuneIn, or your own music library. These are the top benefits of having a Wi-Fi speaker that supports streaming:
A Wi-Fi speaker offers superior sound quality compared to a Bluetooth speaker, thanks to its wider bandwidth. It also has a better range and doesn’t intrude on your phone’s audio channel, meaning you can take a call without interrupting the music playback. Plus, it is perfect for creating a multiroom audio setup, enabling seamless playback across a variety of speakers throughout the house via your Wi-Fi network, all managed through a single phone application.
