Shop for speakers & speaker systems

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony HT-CT260 is our go-to budget sound bar pick, with excellent sound quality, built-in Bluetooth, an adaptable design, and no major missteps. Read review

Specs: Sound Bar, Subwoofer, Wireless - Bluetooth, Wired, Active, 170 Watt, 130 Watt, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 22 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Jambox is the most stylish portable speaker we've seen, with features and sound quality you won't find in comparable compact designs. Read review

Specs: Speakers, Portable speaker, Wireless - Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, Wired, Active, 85 dB, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: While the SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II may no longer be in a class by itself, it's still near the top of the portable Bluetooth speaker category. Read review

Specs: Bluetooth speaker, Wired - Bluetooth, Wireless, Active, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.5 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.3 (4.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 28 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Energy Take Classic 5.1 is the best budget speaker system we've reviewed, earning our Editors' Choice Award with its outstanding sound quality and exquisite looks. Read review

Specs: Home theater speaker system, 5.1-channel, Wired, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 89 dB, 100 Watt, 200 Watt, High-gloss black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Vizio's S4251w-B4 sports rear speakers for unparalleled home theater sonics from a sound bar, although it has some quirks. Read review

Specs: Sound bar speaker system, Wireless

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Jawbone Big Jambox doesn't quite measure up to the Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile and it carries a premium price tag, but it's an impressively designed product that offers strong performance and speakerphone capabilities. Read review

Specs: Wireless speaker, Wireless - Bluetooth, Active, Graphite

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Beats Pill outperforms the Jawbone Jambox and has a couple of intriguing extra features, but Apple iOS 6 users may encounter some problems. Read review

Specs: Portable speaker, Wired - Bluetooth, Wireless, Active, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The latest Bluetooth speaker from Bose is smaller, lighter, and less expensive than its predecessor -- but pricey compared with the competition. Read review

Specs: Portable Bluetooth speaker, Wireless - Bluetooth, Silver

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: The JBL Flip's decent performance and attractive design make it a worthy Bluetooth speaker contender at $100. Read review

Specs: Portable speaker, Bluetooth, Wireless, Active, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: Although its sonic talents are comparatively modest, the Bose Solo is an exceedingly handsome and easy-to-use sound bar. Read review

Specs: Sound bar, Wired, Active, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The JBL Charge is a nice compromise for those who want a better-sounding portable wireless speaker but don't want to make the jump -- both in terms of size and price -- to something like the Jawbone Big Jambox or Bose SoundLink. Read review

Specs: Portable speaker, Wireless - Bluetooth, Blue

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: With an appealing design, affordable price, and the ability to combine a second Jam Plus to create a left/right stereo pair, the Jam Plus is a worthy budget Bluetooth speaker. Read review

Specs: Speaker, Portable Bluetooth speaker, Wireless - Bluetooth, Blue

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Sharp HT-SB60 is one of the best-performing sound bars we've tested, although its extra-long size and lack of Bluetooth will give some buyers pause. Read review

Specs: Active subwoofer, Wired, Active, 160 Watt, 150 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: A worthy peer to speakers by Bose and Jawbone, the Sony SRS-BTX500 is one of the best premium portable Bluetooth speakers you can buy. Read review

Specs: Bluetooth speaker, Wireless - Bluetooth, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Logitech UE Boombox's eight powerful internal drivers and timeless architecture score top marks for the first product bearing the company's collaborative moniker. Read review

Specs: Portable speaker, Wireless - Bluetooth, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  5.0 stars Spectacular

  Overall score: 9.7 (5.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Monoprice 9774 speaker system is the best home audio value we've ever seen: gorgeous, incredible-sounding home theater speakers for just under $250. Read review

Specs: Home theater speaker system, 5.1-channel, Wired, Active, 8 Ohm, 89 dB, 200 Watt, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it packs an impressive punch in terms of sound performance and feature set, the G-17 is more expensive than an iPad and doesn't seem worth its $550 price tag. Read review

Specs: Speaker, Wireless - AirPlay via Wi-Fi, Wired, Active, 30 Watt, High-gloss black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Logitech UE Mobile Boombox sports an improved design and slightly better sound than last year's Mini Boombox -- for the same price. Read review

Specs: Portable speaker, Wireless - Bluetooth, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 19 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Jambox is the most stylish portable speaker we've seen, with features and sound quality you won't find in comparable compact designs. Read review

Specs: Portable speakers, Wireless, Wired, Active, 85 dB, Blue

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Creative D100 speaker plays music wirelessly from your Bluetooth-compatible music player with impressive low-end range from its dual 3-inch drivers, making it a worthwhile addition to your next outdoor get-together. And although it doesn't have a remote control or speakerphone functionality, the price is right for this portable speaker and it earns our recommendation. Read review

Specs: Portable speaker, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, Active, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Philips SoundShooter Wireless has a sharp design and is one of the better-sounding sub-$50 tiny Bluetooth speakers -- and it has speakerphone capabilities to boot. Read review

Specs: Portable Wireless Bluetooth speaker, Bluetooth, Wired, Orange

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Ultimate Ears' new $199.99 compact wireless speaker plays very loud and is water- and stain-resistant. Read review

Specs: Bluetooth, Wireless - Bluetooth, NFC, Active, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The SpeakerCraft CS3 is a handsome, excellent-sounding sound bar that's well worth its lofty price. Read review

Specs: Sound bar, Wired - Bluetooth, Wireless, Active, Matte black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Harman Kardon SB 16 features a premium price tag and some remote control quirks, but its excellent sound quality and exterior design make it worth the extra cash. Read review

Specs: Sound bar speaker system, 2.1-channel, Wired, Active, 25 Watt, 100 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sonos Playbar is cleverly designed and does great fake surround, but it's better suited to current Sonos customers than newcomers. Read review

Specs: Sound bar, Ethernet - Wi-Fi, Wireless, Active