There's certainly no shortage of brands out there claiming to all have the best speakers around. It can be tough to tell them apart at times, and even tougher to know what set of specific and unique features is best for you. Luckily, we're here to help decipher the strengths and weaknesses of the major brands so that you can reach the best choice for you.
JBL
You may be familiar with JBL from its range of headphones, but they're easily one of the top brands when it comes to varied and reliable speakers. Whether you're after something small and portable, a reliable outdoor option, an indoor powerhouse or something highly waterproof, the JBL selection of speakers will easily have something that takes your fancy.
Regardless of which design appeals to you, JBL speakers always produce high-quality, crisp audio. They also tend to be highly durable and water-resistant even when in smaller builds. We highly recommend JBL for just about anyone who wants to casually listen to music, but especially so if you're planning a day to the beach.
Bose
Bose speakers tend to be on the higher end of speakers, but the price tag is justified when you consider the array of smart features each one comes with. If you're after a smart home system with speakers that match up well with smart assistants, Bose has you covered.
While the audio quality is excellent with Bose speakers, they're designed for much more than just music. We recommend them for podcasts and audiobooks, especially for having on in the background of cooking.
Sony
We all know Sony. From TVs to headphones, audio has long been one of its strong suits, so it's unsurprising that Sony speakers are so solid. Able to pack a punch in a small build, Sony speakers are a great midrange budget option that still produces plenty of bass.
Any party-hungry student will get plenty of use from one of these, but we think they're a great gift option overall. Even if something has another speaker already, Sony ones are easy to connect with.
Anker
Anker might as well be the king of budget-friendly speakers. You find many fancy smart features, but Anker speakers deliver excellent audio quality at a very affordable price. If you want something simple and reliable for your music-listening needs, look no further.
Anker's Soundcore mini is surprisingly bassy, whereas the Soundcore 2 boasts an impressive 24-hour party, so don't misunderstand the affordability for a lack of quality aspects.
Sonos
Another high-end speaker brand. You're unlikely to find any Sonos speakers on a budget list, but if you want a premium option to splash out on, Sonos is a fantastic choice. Some Sonos speakers are capable of intelligently adjusting their sound settings on the fly to match your environment, so you can comfortably take it with you on the go.
Of course, since the Sonos selection pairs up with smart assistants so nicely, we think it's worthwhile singling one out and kitting your room around it, that way you can get the best audio experience possible.
Logitech
If you're after computer accessories, Logitech is often the first name that will come to mind, and naturally, they make some solid speakers that act as a companion to your PC. Computer speakers can tend to get a bit pricy, but you can rely on Logitech to keep its speakers fairly priced while remaining high-quality.
You could certainly find more advanced speaker options for your PC setup, but Logitech offers plenty of reliable mid-range options that are well worth considering. Best of all, the selection is so vast that it's almost guaranteed you will find something suitable.
Apple
Apple products tend to behave best when paired with other Apple items, so keep that in mind when picking one up. That said, Apple's selection of smart speakers is very impressive. When you choose an Apple speaker, music sound quality is probably not your priority, but they still deliver some great sound for casual listeners.
The real strength of Apple speakers is in the array of smart home features, and of course, assistants like Alexa and Siri. Apple speakers are a clear winner for anyone wanting a strong all-rounder for their home.
FAQs
Should speakers be placed off the floor?
If possible, definitely try to avoid placing speakers on the floor. Whether it's from being in the path of foot traffic or from spilt drinks from above, the floor is the most likely place for your speakers to get damaged.
By placing your speakers at ear level, or even just on an elevated surface such as a desk, your speakers will be much less likely to be in harm's way. Even better, the actual audio quality will sound better now that it isn't travelling up to your ears.
Can you mix speaker brands?
Although it can be occasionally difficult to link various speaker brands together, with a little bit of work they should all work fine with each other. In terms of sound, you can again use them together with no issue. You'll likely need to adjust the volume settings on each individually, but that should be as much work as is needed.
Kyle Purves is a Commercial Content Writer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
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