The prevalence of wireless speakers has become widespread in all aspects of our daily life, including both indoor and outdoor settings. However, you don’t have to break the bank to acquire a high-quality speaker. The top streaming speakers connect through Wi-Fi and offer exceptional audio performance, and often feature Bluetooth capabilities as well. To assist in determining which speaker will suit your home audio system the best, we have compiled a list of the finest Wi-Fi speakers that we have assessed within the CNET laboratories.
If voice control is not preferred, it can be easily turned off in the streaming speakers that offer this feature. Moreover, you don’t have to break the bank as a great “non-smart” multiroom speaker like the Ikea Symfonisk Bookshelf is available from just $140. To find the most suitable Wi-Fi speakers for your requirements, continue reading for the top recommendations.
Also Check Out: Top Bluetooth Speakers for 2023
The Sonos Era 100, deemed the best speaker overall by Ty Pendlebury of CNET, is priced at $249 and is a top choice for music enthusiasts. This compact smart speaker boasts improvements from the award-winning One, such as stereo playback and superior sound quality. Plus, with its compatibility with Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Apple AirPlay 2, the Era 100 is a highly versatile streaming speaker for users.
$249 at Crutchfield
$249 at Best Buy
$249 at B&H Photo-Video
Sarah Tew/CNET
Ikea Wi-Fi Symfonisk Bookshelf
Top economical speaker
At $120, there are various impressive smart speakers on the market, such as the Amazon Echo, Nest Audio, and HomePod Mini. However, the Symfonisk outperforms them all in size, resulting in richer sound quality. Although it is most effective when utilized as a component of a Sonos sound system, it is also an ideal choice for a children’s playroom or garage speaker.
Check out the review of Ikea Symfonisk.
$120 from Ikea.
Check out the Sonos Era 100 and Era 300: Witness the Latest Generation of Wireless Streaming Speakers. Duration: 03:38.
JBL Playlist 150
Best for Android users
Despite Google’s abundance of speaker offerings, including Nest Audio, the discontinued Home Max was the only one truly impressive with music. Surprisingly, there are only a handful of affordable Chromecast built-in speakers with good sound quality. Among these speakers, the JBL Playlist is the best based on my testing. It boasts a generously sized speaker and enough power to fill a typical room. Additionally, it has Bluetooth and an auxiliary input that makes it highly versatile. While it may not be a “smart” speaker, it can be controlled via an existing Google Assistant speaker if you’re seeking an alternative control system.
Check out our review of the JBL Playlist, now available for $173 on Amazon. You’ll also be notified of any price changes for the JBL Playlist 150.
The Amazon Echo Studio, created by Alexa’s parent company Amazon, is the top-performing Echo device when it comes to sound quality. Its setup process is user-friendly and it can produce loud sound that can fill a whole room. This device delivers exceptional audio quality with powerful bass, distinct sound, and clear high tones. Additionally, users can utilize Alexa to access various music streaming services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, and others.
Check out our review of the Amazon Echo Studio.
Available for $200 on Amazon, Best Buy, and Target.
Apple HomePod Mini
Best AirPlay Speaker
While the HomePod Mini may not have as much output power as the new HomePod, it is still an excellent choice, especially considering that it is only a third of the price. In addition to its compact size, the HomePod Mini boasts a range of useful features, including the Siri voice assistant and temperature and humidity controls. Furthermore, it offers impressive sound quality. If you are fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem and frequently use Siri, integrating the Apple HomePod Mini into your home should be a seamless and easy experience.
$99 available at Best Buy.
The Sonos Roam is an exceptional portable speaker that surpasses other products of its kind. Not only can it be used as a standalone Bluetooth speaker on-the-go, but it also seamlessly integrates with a Sonos multiroom system. With a reasonable price (considering it’s Sonos), it delivers superior sound quality and features a selection of voice assistants to simplify music control.
$179 at Sonos$179 at Crutchfield
改写后：
$179 on Sonos’s website$179 on Crutchfield’s website
Ty Pendlebury/CNET
WiiM Pro
Ideal for streaming on existing systems
Although not functioning as a speaker itself, it is an excellent alternative for those who do not want to purchase a new one. Suppose you have a stereo system or an outdated Bluetooth speaker, such as the Fluance F170, and you want to add Wi-Fi streaming to it. WiiM Pro provides superior sound quality and streaming capabilities compared to other dongles that come to mind, and it is only priced at $149. The setup and use of the app is simple, and it can also be integrated with many multi-room systems.
You are getting WiiM Pro price alerts for $149 on Amazon. We conducted tests on JBL Link Portable and Bose Home Speaker 300. JBL Link Portable is a larger-sized competitor of Sonos and it is compatible with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It can play louder with weightier bass. Reviewer David Carnoy expressed a preference for Sonos Roam due to its sound and build quality over JBL, but with the current $100 discount, JBL Link Portable becomes a more competitive option. Bose Home Speaker 300 is a responsive and aesthetically pleasing smart speaker. However, its audio quality falls short of its cheaper competitor, Sonos One. Additionally, the onboard Bose Music multiroom system is incompatible with existing SoundTouch products. Although the 300 seems out of production, it can still be found new at select retailers, and many refurbished models are also available for an even lower price. You can read CNET’s review of the Bose Home Speaker 300.
The recently released HomePod has a Siri display that extends to the edges, and offers improved sound and additional features, including new temperature and humidity sensors and support for Dolby Atmos. However, at a price of $300, many consumers may find the HomePod mini, with nearly identical features, to be the better purchase. The Bowers and Wilkins Formation Flex, priced at $500, boasts a stylish design and impressive sound quality, although there are other options, such as the Sonos Five, that offer a larger, more party-ready performance. Check out CNET’s first impressions of the Formation line.
The Sonos Move
David Carnoy/CNETThe Sonos Move ($399) is a great option if you are looking for a wireless speaker that is somewhat portable and water-resistant. Although it comes in a large size, it offers excellent sound quality. It would be a perfect choice for powering up a tailgate or hosting a big party. However, for most people, the Sonos Roam would be a better and more affordable pick due to its portability. You can read CNET’s review of the Sonos Move for more information.
Sony SRS-RA5000 ($498): The Sony SRS-RA5000 and the McIntosh RS150 are quite large speakers, making it difficult for people to figure out where to place them. The Sony is over a foot tall and its 360-degree playback adds to its awkwardness, making the best place to put it at the center of the room. While its sound quality is good, you can get 3D audio at a quarter of the price with the Amazon Echo Studio. Check out CNET’s first take on the Sony SRS-RA5000 for more information.
McIntosh RS150 ($1,200): The McIntosh RS150 is a massive speaker that comes with Chromecast built-in, Roon Ready, and Spotify Connect. Although it has some great features, the sound quality is not as clear as expected, and there are no EQ controls to compensate for it. In addition, the unit does not have the McIntosh blue meter, which was present in its previous version, and is replaced with LEDs. If you are looking for a more compact speaker that offers excellent performance for the same price, the competitive Naim Mu-so Qb would be a better pick.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wi-Fi Speakers
Is Wi-Fi inferior to Bluetooth?
Both can be classified as wireless speaker systems. Wi-Fi provides the same fundamental advantage as Bluetooth: using your phone’s Wi-Fi connection to play music through an external speaker or sound system. Similar to Bluetooth-enabled speakers, it can collaborate with a subscription music service app like Spotify (through Spotify Connect) or Apple Music, a radio service like Pandora or TuneIn, or your personal music library. The following are the most compelling reasons to purchase a Wi-Fi speaker for streaming:
A Wi-Fi speaker produces better audio quality compared to a Bluetooth speaker because of its wider bandwidth. Wi-Fi also has a longer coverage range. With Wi-Fi, you can take calls without interrupting your music as it doesn’t take over your phone’s audio channel. Additionally, it is ideal for multiroom audio, enabling playback from various speakers throughout the house via your Wi-Fi network, all controlled through one phone app.
How do multiroom speakers function?
Multiroom technology empowers users to effortlessly play music from one or more speakers throughout their home, with the majority of systems capable of supporting up to twelve or more different zones. To play a song in “house party mode,” for instance, where it simultaneously emanates from numerous speakers throughout the house, all of the speakers must be compatible with the same ecosystem. In the case of Sonos and other vendor-specific systems, every speaker must be Sonos (or linked to a Sonos device). To utilize Chromecast, all of the speakers, irrespective of their brand, must be Chromecast-compatible, and so forth.
What is the process to connect my music to my Wi-Fi?
Generally, speakers are equipped with a particular app which is compatible with iOS and Android, and it is utilized for system setup and control. It is essential to have an internet connection to use a Wi-Fi speaker, and most speakers operate on at least 2.4GHz connections, or some even support 5Ghz. It is recommended to verify the name of the app required provided in the documentation and keep your Wi-Fi password readily available. The apps are usually designed using a simple step-by-step procedure, so that it will take only a few minutes to start enjoying the music.
What Wi-Fi music standards exist?
Purchasing a Wi-Fi speaker also entails investing in an ecosystem encompassing a range of products and applications that cooperate, but may not be compatible with other ecosystems. The following article delves into the primary Wi-Fi systems available today.
The Amazon Echo speaker family has revolutionized the speaker market with its integration of wireless audio, voice control, and home automation, including the Amazon Multi Room Music (MRM) system. However, MRM adoption has been sluggish due to limited support for third-party devices. Other brands with Wi-Fi systems that may appeal to consumers include Yamaha MusicCast, Denon HEOS, Bowers and Wilkins Formation, Bose Music, and Bluesound.
Most Wi-Fi speakers are compatible with streaming services like Pandora and Spotify, but it’s always best to check. If your music is saved on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Amazon Music, Sonos would still be a good option; however, other products may support more platforms.
