With so many wireless speakers chasing the same specific sound profile, far too few are able to produce sound that cater to every genre and setting.

A Bluetooth speaker uses Bluetooth technology to establish a direct, short-range wireless connection with a device like a smartphone, tablet, or computer, typically within a range of about 30 feet. In contrast, a wireless speaker can refer to any speaker that connects without wires, including Bluetooth, but more commonly it implies the use of Wi-Fi, AirPlay, or other wireless protocols.

The Beats Pill is the best compact Bluetooth speaker worth your attention. Weighing a pound and a half, the Pill is lighter and more compact than the JBL and Sony models on this list. The Beats speaker is much easier to slip into a bag or a backpack, as well as to carry it using its bundled strap.

The JBL Flip 7 launched into the world of Bluetooth speakers in April, but it's already more than impressed. Succeeding the five-star Flip 6, it delivers hearty improvements on build quality, features and usability.

You can head to Amazon right now to get the Marshall Acton III Bluetooth Home Speaker for just $200, down from its usual price of $300. That’s $100 off and a discount of 33% for Amazon Prime Day.

All wireless speakers can access music streaming services, such as Spotify, by streaming it over Bluetooth from your smartphone (may require subscriptions). If you’d like music streaming built-in to the speaker itself, you’ll need a wireless speaker with wi-fi, so it can connect to the internet directly.

Normally in this situation, most people turn to a pair of headphones or one of the best gaming headsets to achieve something similar. While convenient, you’re usually getting virtual surround sound instead of the hardware-based surround sound that a true multi-speaker setup delivers.

Bluetooth and quick-to-music features like Spotify Tap are the future of sound at Ikea now that the Sonos partnership has fizzled. It’s an approach that Ikea’s David Granath says will make speakers more affordable and easier to use for more people.

Macworld It’s beautiful, it’s tiny, it’s loud, it’s wireless, and it’s at an all-time-low price for Prime Day. Apple’s Beats Pill speaker is down to $98 right now, the best price we’ve ever seen for this Bluetooth speaker.