Bluetooth speakers are the perfect audio accessory for teens and tweens. Most are portable, durable speakers that can withstand the wear and tear youth have on electronics, while offering impressive playback of favorite tunes.
Music is a powerful influence on teens and tweens, as different songs can help them navigate what can be extremely hard years. When I was a teenager, I always had music playing in the background, no matter where I was. While that involved portable cd-players, cumbersome headphones, and a ridiculous amount of CD disks and cassette tapes, the youth today have millions of songs at their fingertips with their Bluetooth-enabled devices. Bluetooth speakers allow kids to enjoy their favorite music, podcasts, or other audio while being wire-free and sometimes weatherproof!
This article features some of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market today. They range in price and have various features that most kids will find helpful!
What to Consider Before Purchasing Bluetooth Speakers
Before purchasing a Bluetooth speaker for a tween or teen, here are a few things to keep in mind!
- How the speaker will be used. If your teen is going to be using the speaker outdoors, a waterproof or water-resistant design would be best. The speaker needs to be able to withstand the unexpected rain shower or be completely waterproof for a day on the lake. Alternately, if your teen wants a simple speaker for their bedroom to enhance listening experience, sound quality is going to be most important.
- Bluetooth speaker cost. The Bluetooth speakers in this article vary in price, so have a budget in mind before you start shopping. It may be worth it to compare the cost of a Bluetooth speaker, verses a wired surround sound set-up based on your preteen’s needs. The Bluetooth speakers available today rival the sound quality of the top surround sound speakers on the market, at sometimes a fraction of the price.
- Battery life. As with all electronic devices, battery life is an important feature you will want to consider when shopping for a Bluetooth speaker for a teen or tween. Some models of Bluetooth speakers require the device to be powered off to charge, while others can continue to be played while plugged in. Battery life on Bluetooth speakers has improved over the years, so finding one that meets the needs of your adolescent should not be hard.
- Compatibility. Once your teen and tween has chosen a Bluetooth speaker they like, it is important to make sure that the device they will be using to connect is compatible with the Bluetooth speaker. Many phones, mp3 players, and computers have built-in Bluetooth connection, but it is worth double checking to make sure. Many Bluetooth speakers have an audio jack input to connect to devices if needed as well.
- Headphones. While Bluetooth speakers are great to play out loud, there may be times your juvenile prefers to listen via headphones. A pair of good quality headphones would be a great gift idea to pair with a Bluetooth speaker!
- Waterproof Rating or IP Code Rating. Bluetooth speakers have a variety of waterproof ratings. IPX7 is the best rating and it means that a device can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes and it will still be fine. IPX6 and IPX5 mean the device can survive being squirted with water. IPX4 certified means the device can be splashed with a spray nozzle for ten minutes and work. Other devices are not waterproof rated at all.
Updated December 4, 2020. Check out today’s deals on speakers.
Budget Bluetooth Speakers Kids will Love 2020
| Model | Features |
|---|---|
Ultimate Ears Boom 3 | |
Sonos Move | |
JBL Flip 5 | |
Echo Studio | |
Marshall Stockwell II | |
Bose SoundLink Color II | |
Anker Soundcore Motion+ | |
JBL Boombox 2 | |
Beats Pill+ | |
DOSS SoundBox Plus | |
Bose Soundlink Micro | |
Anker Soundcore 2 | |
OontZ Angle 3 Ultra | |
AOMAIS Sport II | |
Bugani M90 Speaker |
1. Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 
For a teen who wants a Bluetooth speaker to use around water, it is hard to find a better option than the Ultimate Ears Boom 3. This speaker is waterproof and floats, ensuring that it will not be lost if dropped in the pool, lake, or ocean! The speaker is wrapped in layers of ultra-durable material that is virtually indestructible and comes in a variety of bright colors as well. This makes the speaker drop-proof, which is great for younger teens.
With an easy-to-use magic button function and up to 15 hours of life on one battery charge, this Bluetooth speaker was made for active fun. The sound quality is crisp and powerful too! This speaker comes with a cord to recharge the speaker but also has a wireless charging dock if needed (sold separately).
2. Sonos Move
For another great Bluetooth speaker that offers true stereo sound, the Sonos Move is a great pick! With TruePlay tuning technology, the output sound continually adapts to its playing environment, whether your 12-year-old is outside by a pool or studying in their room. This speaker is meant for indoor or outdoor use, making it resistant to humidity, rain, dust, pollen, and extreme hot and cold temperatures.
The Sonos Move can be paired with other Sonos speakers as well, so your child can play their favorite music throughout the house. With up to 11 hours of continuous playtime, this speaker is a great option for your family!
3. JBL FLIP 5
The JBL Flip 5 is the most recent Bluetooth speaker in JBL’s popular flip line. This enhanced speaker has a cylindrical design, making it the perfect grab and go device. Waterproof up to an impressive depth of three feet, your 14-year-old will love taking this speaker to the pool or beach to enjoy their favorite songs with friends.
The Flip 5 comes in multiple colors and has up to 12 hours of battery life on one charge. It can be played standing on its end or side and has Party Boost capability, meaning it can be paired with other Flip 5 speakers. Your teen will love this little speaker!
4. Echo Studio
Amazon’s Echo line of products has made utilizing a virtual assistant easy for every family. Now, the Echo Studio Bluetooth Speaker combines the virtual assistant capabilities with top-quality stereo sound. The Echo Studio features five built-in speakers that fill the room with immersive sound. It has built-in room-sensing technology as well, so it knows how to present the sound in any environment.
Music savvy teens will love the sound quality of the Echo Studio, as well as the ability to use Amazon Alexa for virtual assistant needs. My boys have an Echo device in their room, and they love playing music to fall asleep to on it, as well as setting alarms to wake up with the Alexa capabilities.
5. Marshall Stockwell II
That Marshall Stockwell II is an amplifier-style Bluetooth speaker that has great sound and long battery life. The classic square design with handle will be instantly recognizable to those who play guitar, and the speaker can be used as an amplifier for instruments too (with a headphone jack adapter)!
Turn knobs on the top can be used to adjust the bass and treble output, as well as volume. This speaker also features multi-pairing abilities, meaning more than one Bluetooth device can be used at the same time. With over 20 hours of battery life on a full charge, this speaker is perfect for the teen or tween who wants great sound quality with a rock and roll vibe.
6. Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II
The Bose Soundlink Bluetooth Speaker II is a handy little device that has a sleek design and is available in a variety of colors. Covered in a protective rubber material, this speaker is water resistant and durable. A built-in microphone responds to voice commands, making it easy to answer calls or skip songs without having to touch the speaker or your phone.
Older teens will appreciate the stellar song quality and the 8 hours of playtime.
7. Anker Soundcore Motion+
The Anker Soundcore Motion+ is another great option for a completely waterproof Bluetooth speaker that offers impeccable sound quality. This speaker features various Hi-Res audio and a frequency range that makes for crisp treble and deep bass. If your 16-year-old is more interested in the quality of sound, then the Anker Soundcore Motion+ will not disappoint.
This speaker features 12 hours of play time on a full battery charge and can also be played while charging as well. This would be perfect for a day at the lake, beach, or pool as it is also completely waterproof!
8. JBL Boombox 2
“Massive sound, all day long” is the motto for the JBL Boombox 2 Bluetooth speaker. With 24 hours of rechargeable battery life, your teen or tween really can listen to music all day long! An internal power bank means that they can also charge the speaker while still listening to music.
This Bluetooth speaker features a waterproof design and a powerful bass that teens will appreciate. The speaker can also be paired with other JBL Party Boost-enabled speakers to offer playing ability across rooms. If your adolescent wants a quality sound with a powerful volume, the JBL Boombox 2 is a great option!
Our Speaker Pick for Camping
9. Beats Pill+
The Beats by Dre line of speakers and headphones are arguably the most popular brand among high schoolers. For the young person who wants great sound quality in a compact design, The Beats Pill+ Bluetooth Speaker is the perfect option.
Available in red, white, or black, the Pill+ has a cylindrical design that can be taken anywhere. Built-in microphones make receiving calls a breeze, and it pairs well with any Bluetooth-enabled device. This speaker plays up to 12 hours of music on a full charge and comes with a Lightening to USB-A charging cord.
10. DOSS SoundBox Plus
For the middle schooler who likes ambiance with their music, this DOSS Soundbox Plus Bluetooth Speaker is a perfect option! Built-in LED lights flash with the beat of the music being played, offering a music-listening session that will light up the room. This is perfect for the bedroom or study area and could even be used as a nightlight.
The speaker has a built-in microphone, which means users can accept phone calls that may come in while in use. It also has built-in Amazon Alexa, so even young tweens can utilize the handy electronic assistant. The DOSS Soundbox Plus comes with a charging cord and AUX cable as well and offers up to 20 hours of playtime!
11. Bose SoundLink Micro
Bose has long been the industry standard for top quality speakers, and their Bose Soundlink Micro Bluetooth Speaker is no exception. This tiny speaker packs a powerful yet crisp sound and deep bass. The speaker features a waterproof design and a built-in microphone, ready to be used for phone calls or talking to Siri.
A unique, tear resistant strap makes it easy to attach this speaker to backpacks, coats, or anywhere else your juvenile needs to tote their speaker!
12. Anker Soundcore 2
With a compact design and bright colors, the Anker Soundcore 2 is a great basic Bluetooth speaker that packs a powerful sound punch teens and tweens will love.
The li-ion battery holds up to 24 hours of battery with a full charge. The speaker is water resistant and completely dust-proof, making it perfect for outdoor adventures like camping or ball games.
13. OontZ Angle 3 Ultra
The Oontz Angle 3 Ultra Bluetooth speaker is an American-made device that offers top-of-the-line sound quality for an affordable price. With room-filling sound, this is the perfect speaker for the music lover who wants to jam out to their favorite songs or podcasts. The triangular design enhances bass and vocal sounds, while the internal rechargeable battery offers up to 20 hours of playtime time on a single charge.
The Angle 3 is water resistant and comes with a charging cord. It can also be paired with other Oontz Bluetooth Speakers to offer additional playability!
14. AOMAIS Sport II
For tweens who want a durable speaker for all their activities, the Aomais Sport II Bluetooth Speaker is a great option! The rugged design is meant to be impact-resistant and the casing ensures up to 30 minutes of waterproofing ability. A unique feature to this speaker is that it can be paired with other speakers like it. When paired together, the sound quality enhances automatically, providing top quality music listening.
This speaker has up to 15 hours of play time on a single charge and comes with a USB charging cable. The portable and compact design make it perfect for an active teen!
15. Bugani M90
The Bugani M90 is a powerful Bluetooth speaker that, at a lower price point, may be the perfect choice for a 10-year-old getting their first speaker. This speaker features a rugged design that is housed in a drop-proof rubberized material. The M90 comes with a charging cord and AUX cord as well, for devices that may not have Bluetooth capabilities.
The sound quality is impressive with crisp notes and a bass plate that ensures deep, booming sound. This speaker can get LOUD, making it perfect for outdoor activities or those impromptu dance parties!
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth was originally called short-link radio and was developed as a technology to help develop wireless headphones at Ericsson Mobile in Sweden. A Bluetooth signal operates using UHF short ranged radio waves. This signal runs from 2.402 GHz to 2.480 GHz and makes it perfect for a home device that connects to your phone or other device.
Why Bluetooth Instead of WiFi for a Speaker?
Advantages of a WiFi Speaker
Standard WiFi is actually better at maintaining packet integrity with signals such as music, but it requires the speaker to be connected to the internet. A WiFi speaker can actually work from a further distance than a Bluetooth speaker. That is why some of the best in home speakers have WiFi has an option, such as the Sonos Move and the Echo Studio.
Advantages of a Bluetooth Speaker
To have a speaker work great for a teen, it is important that it can be moved around and work in a variety of different locations. The main advantage of a Bluetooth speaker is convenience. A Bluetooth signal can work anyway close to the device that it is communicating with. Bluetooth devices can communicate within about 100 feet depending on the Bluetooth type. The other advantage of Bluetooth over WiFi is the ease at which it connects to a device because of security protocols. WiFi takes more time to connect and often requires a security key.
Our Recommendations and Final Thoughts
My favorite choice of the Bluetooth Speakers above is the Ultimate Ears Boom 3. I like this model because of its durability. Teens and tweens are typically rough on their devices. My older kids love taking their music outside and the Boom 3, with its durable covering and ability to float if dropped in water, can stand the tests of the most destructive teens.
Bluetooth speakers can be used for many different things. From playing music, adding audio to favorite videos, or catching up on the latest podcasts, Bluetooth speakers are a popular gift for teens or tweens for a reason. Many of the models featured above can be paired to other like speakers too, making for an even louder and immersive listening experience. Your teen or tween will love receiving any of the Bluetooth Speakers listed here!
