Wi-Fi & Bluetooth speaker systems

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What's behind our wi-fi & bluetooth speaker system Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 23 models in wi-fi & bluetooth speaker systems to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Overall score is based mainly on sound quality with ease of use and versatility also factored in. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.
Sound quality
Sound quality represents the speaker systems tonal accuracy and ability to reproduce fine sonic detail. Sound quality judgments are made with the system optimized using its own tone controls and/or pre-set tone settings (if any) adjusted for most balanced sound.
Ease of use
Ease of use indicates how easy it is to set up the system and use controls on the speaker and/or it's remote control.
Versatility
Versatility score is based on the presence or absence of useful features.

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Recommended wi-Fi & bluetooth speaker systems

Recommended wi-Fi & bluetooth speaker systems are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Wi-Fi & Bluetooth speaker system buying guide

To find the wi-Fi & bluetooth speaker system that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Ratings & recommended wi-Fi & bluetooth speaker systems

Wi-Fi & Bluetooth speaker systems (23)

Speaker docks are a handy place to park your iPod and iPhone when you want to listen to your music without headphones, but there’s another option: wireless speaker systems that can play music stored on a phone, tablet, media player, or computer that’s across the room or even elsewhere in the house. Because you don’t need a physical connection, a wireless system may be a great solution if you have a new iPhone or other new Apple device with the new connector, which doesn’t work with older docks and cables unless you buy an adapter.

The best systems don’t ask you to trade sound quality for the convenience of going wireless. But you will pay a premium for the privilege—the tested models range in price from about $200 to $700. Two that can run on battery power are designed for portable use. All the tested models offer stereo sound.

Most of the models use Bluetooth, which is widely supported by mobile devices. Several use Wi-Fi, and specifically Apple’s AirPlay technology. Sonos uses Wi-Fi to create its own mesh network, where each device acts as a repeater. One model, from Samsung, can use Bluetooth, AirPlay, or DLNA (which also lets you share content among devices on a network). Each has its advantages and drawbacks. (See Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi sidebar, below.) Four of the systems that use Wi-Fi, which has a longer range than Bluetooth, let you add multiple speakers for sound throughout the house.

In addition, two systems have built-in iPod docks—two others let you connect an iPod or iPhone via USB— and all but one have auxiliary audio inputs for connecting other gear, such as a TV.

Wi-Fi & Bluetooth speaker system buying guide

Wireless speaker systems let you play music stored on a phone, tablet, media player, or computer that's across the room or even elsewhere in the house. Our tests showed that you don't have to trade sound quality for convenience, but you will pay a premium--one of the models we tested cost $650.

Most models use Bluetooth wireless technology, which works with a wide range of mobile devices, including the Apple iPhone 5 and Android smart phones. But Bluetooth's reach is limited to about 30 feet. Several speakers use Apple's AirPlay or other Wi-Fi wireless network technology, which allows for wider coverage. Still others can create a "mesh network," in which each wireless device acts as a Wi-Fi repeater to enable even broader coverage. (See Wi-Fi vs. Bluetooth.)

Depending on the speaker model, you may also get an iPod dock or the ability to connect an iPhone, iPod, or other device via USB. And almost all of the tested wireless speaker models have auxiliary audio inputs for connecting other gear, such as a TV.

Getting started | Wi-Fi vs. Bluetooth