Last updated on March 3rd, 2023 at 12:35 am
At least in the realm of speakers, size does matter. Bigger models sound better than smaller ones for physics-based reasons as we’re talking about devices that produce vibrations by moving air.
Yet there are many valid reasons to choose a smaller speaker. You may have limited room. Consider bringing your music along.
Or perhaps you like simple things. In light of this, we’ve compiled several excellent compact wireless and smart speakers.
The rechargeable batteries in wireless variants allow them to be carried about in a backpack or even mounted on a bicycle.
The intelligent speakers must be hooked to an electrical outlet at a location with WiFi. All models below passed our stringent testing process from most costly to least expensive.
Each was acquired via standard retail channels, and qualified technicians in our laboratories assessed each for sound quality, usability, and variety.
Please be aware that there are differences between the testing procedures used for intelligent and wireless speakers, so you shouldn’t compare the results for the two categories.
Best Wireless and Bluetooth Mini Speakers
SoundLink Mini by Bose
- Price: $119.00 Shop
- Sound Performance
- Effortless Usage
- Versatility
- Who ought to purchase it? a devotee of itsy-bitsy speakers and podcasts.
Things to enjoy:
The adorable and compact SoundLink Mini has a strap that lets you attach it to a bike, backpack, or stroller.
With an IP67 classification, according to Bose, it is also water-resistant, making it a fantastic option for wet and adventurous activities.
What may be disliked?
If you only care a little about the Micro’s palm-sized profile, look at the Bose SoundLink Color II instead. It delivers significantly better sound quality for not much more money, but in a less water-resistant design.
The Mini performs best if you’re near the speaker and listening to spoken word or background music.
Read: Noise-Canceling Headphone Deals – Top Picks
SRS-XB13 by Sony
- Price: $48.00 – $59.99 Shop
- Sound Performance
- Effortless Usage
- Versatility
- Who should purchase it? A person seeking a portable, inexpensive speaker to throw in a bag and carry to the park or to use as a gift.
Things to enjoy:
At under $50, the Sony SRS-XB13 is a fantastic deal and provides good performance. The device is offered in six vibrant hues, from basic black to coral pink, and the lanyard-style strap makes carrying it about simple.
The speaker has IXP67 water resistance, which means it should be able to withstand light soakings and resist dust. Moreover, the SRS-XB13 produces adequate volume to fill a small space.
What may be disliked?
It is hardly unexpected that Sony has certain sound restrictions, given the price tag.
The middle and trebles lack the smoothness and clarity seen in more costly models, and the bass is less potent than you would expect from a speaker this small.
Yet, the SRS-XB13 sounds much better than the SRS-X12, which has a nasal, restricted character that causes us to downgrade it in our sound-quality evaluations.
Read: [Tested] Best Bookshelf Speakers Under 1000 – Buying Guide
Super Ears Wonderboom 2
- Price: $97.00 – $99.99 Shop
- Sound Performance
- Effortless Usage
- Versatility
- Who is it for? a listener seeking a small selection of music.
Things to enjoy:
The Wonderboom 2 is squat, short, and comfortably fits in your hand. The audio quality is comparable to that of most portable devices.
The midrange, which isn’t very rich, has a little echo, and the bass might be better. The device is simple to operate, with big buttons and an easy-to-use Bluetooth connecting feature.
According to Ultimate Ears, it also boasts an IPX67 certification, which denotes that it is resistant to dust and water.
What may be disliked?
The Wonderboom 2 is a capable performer, but before you purchase it, think about how you’ll use it.
It is among the more substantial types you would take while traveling and includes a little mesh loop instead of a strap or handles at the top.
Moreover, more significant variants, such as the Sony SRS XB-23 or the JBL Flip 5, provide superior performance for about the same price as the Wonderboom 2 if you plan to use it mainly on a picnic table or beach blanket.
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JBL Clip 4
- Price: $59.95 – $91.39Shop
- Sound Performance
- Effortless Usage
- Versatility
- Who is it for? Anybody seeking an inexpensive, pleasant hiking or biking partner.
Things to enjoy:
This little speaker is palm-sized and has a carabiner for attaching to a beach bag or backpack. According to JBL, the speaker has an IP67 classification, which means it is both dust- and water-resistant.
The Clip 4 is simple to pair, and our testers like how simple it is to change the volume thanks to the visible buttons.
What may be disliked?
Clip 4 to be difficult sonically. There isn’t much bass to speak of, the midrange is a touch nasal, and the highs are a tad sizzle.
The Bose SoundLink Mini, which is similarly tiny but substantially more costly, performs far better.
Top Portable Smart Speakers
Apple HomePod (5th Generation)
- Price: $59.99 Shop
- Sound Performance
- Effortless Usage
- Versatility
- Who is it for? An intelligent speaker is seeking a cheap approach to see if adding a digital assistant to their house is worthwhile.
Things to enjoy:
Despite its tiny size and affordable price, the Dot has the same intelligent speaker capability as its much more costly siblings.
The Dot is also a low-cost means of introducing Alexa-based multiroom smart speaker capability around your house.
Even a Bluetooth speaker you currently possess may be used to link an Echo to give it intelligent speaker capabilities.
What may be disliked?
According to Amazon, the fifth-generation Dot’s drivers and circuits have been updated to enhance sound quality. The improvement is only marginal.
The middle is a little crisper and has less loudness, and the bass and treble are more substantial, but overall the sound quality of the most recent Dot is still low on our list of priorities.
It’s suitable for podcast listening. But if you want to listen to music (and have more room), think about the somewhat more costly but far better-sounding full-sized Echo.
Read: BEST BLUETOOTH EARBUDS FOR SMALL EARS
Small Apple HomePod
- Price: $99.00 – $99.99 Shop
- Sound Performance
- Effortless Usage
- Versatility
- Who is it for? Someone who has a strong affinity for Apple products and doesn’t mind spending a little amount of “Apple tax” for a $100 speaker that sounds like a $50 alternative.
Things to enjoy:
The Mini is a reliable option for managing Apple HomeKit services and goods, like Apple Music. The Mini now supports voice control for various music services like Pandora and iHeartRadio.
She can even connect to Apple CarPlay in your car, allowing you to ask for directions in the morning while making coffee and then transmit the selected route to your vehicle before leaving.
What may be disliked?
The Apple HomePod Mini performs noticeably worse than the Echo or Google Nest Audio, which are priced similarly, according to our tests.
Although having a richer bass, the slightly crowded sound is comparable to that of the far less expensive Echo Dot.
Like the Dot, the HomePod Mini isn’t the best for playing your favorite music, but it’s OK for podcasts or background music in a tiny space.
The HomePod Mini cannot be associated through Bluetooth with a better-sounding wireless speaker, unlike those Echo and Nest devices.
Hence, if your budget allows, consider purchasing the most recent HomePod, a full-sized instrument.
It includes all of Mini’s features, including the ability to serve as a multiroom system, but with a much superior sound quality—as it should be for three times the price.
Google Nest Mini
- Price: $41.98 – $49.99 Shop
- Sound Performance
- Effortless Usage
- Versatility
- Who is it for? An intelligent speaker rookie on a budget, searching for Google search skills.
Things to enjoy:
The Google Home Mini is a good choice if you’re looking for a cheap entry point into the world of smart speakers—or an inexpensive present.
The Nest Mini costs $50 (or maybe even less when it’s on sale), and it provides you access to Google Assistant, which has powerful search skills.
But Google Assistant doesn’t support many third-party skills, unlike Alexa, and its shopping features aren’t as sophisticated.
What may be disliked?
The Nest Mini’s sound quality should be much better. That although the little speaker is sufficient for spoken-word material like podcasts, more is needed for pleasurable music listening.
