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Author: Maurice Savaryego, M.Sc.Eng. (Learn More)
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Note that the above selected three Bluetooth wireless speakers are not only the most popular among Amazon customers, but also among the best available today. All three brands have received an average of 4.5 stars (out 5 stars) from Amazon reviewers!
While Bose SoundLink III corresponds to excellent high-end products in the wireless small speaker sector, Logitech UE MINI BOOM and Sony SRS-BTV5 are good examples of more affordable very small speakers that still offer more than adequate sound and a number of useful features. This particular selection will provide you with product information at both ends of the wireless speaker market, and will allow selection of the best brand and model corresponding to your personal needs and pocket.
The three Bluetooth speakers selected for review here are all compatible with Bluetooth supporting Android and Apple devices (smartphones, tablets, and laptops).
Note: If you're in a hurry and wish to see Amazon product and price information for the selected wireless speakers, please click below:
Selected Bluetooth Wireless Speakers on Amazon
Note: Pairing a Bluetooth device like a speaker with another Bluetooth device like a smartphone is extremely easy, and it needs to be done only once as the pairing information is memorized by both devices. Usually, all you have to do is press and hold a Bluetooth button on the speaker and then choose the id associated with the speaker displayed on the smartphone. That's it! Simple and quick. This procedure may slightly change depending on the devices you are pairing, but it is usually very simple and clearly explained in product documentation. For instance, the Sony SRS-BTV5 speaker can also be paired using the NFC (Near Field Communication) technology that enables pairing between Bluetooth devices that support NFC just by tapping a specially identified location on the devices. This makes the pairing even simpler.
The following pictures show the Bose SoundLink III, Logitech UE MINI BOOM, and Sony SRS-BTV5 speakers selected for comparison:
(Photo credits: Bose)
(Photo credits: Logitech)
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(Photo credits: Sony)
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You will find below a comparison table for the selected Bluetooth speakers.
Please read the following notes for a better understanding of each speaker's capabilities.
Comparing Selected Bluetooth Wireless Speakers
Explanation of Notes 1 to 9 from Table:
Note 1: Sound Quality Comparison:
Bose SoundLink III: This speaker provides the best sound you can find today in the small size wireless speakers category. Using advanced Bose technologies, it plays louder and longer than its predecessor SoundLink II, reproducing perfectly the fullness, clarity and depth of the music.The best part is that even when played very loud no distortion is noticeable. This is partly due to the sound processing software that is built-in and that enhances the quality of the outgoing sound. The speaker can play surprisingly loud for its size and definitely louder than any other comparable speakers with no noticeable distortion, vibration or shaking.
Logitech UE MINI BOOM and Sony SRS-BTV5: Being even smaller than the Bose SoundLink III and Jawbone Big Jambox, Logitech UE and Sony SRS-BTV5 should not be expected to achieve similar sound volume levels. But with the new Logitech UE MINI BOOM (which replaced the old Logitech UE 984) the sound is surprisingly powerful and clear for a small speaker. In particular, the sound is noticeably richer and has a deeper bass than the older UE 984. Note that with these small speakers the sound quality is best in the middle volume settings and slightly deteriorates at high settings.
Note 2: Logitech UE and Sony SRS-BTV5, all have a built-in microphone which allows hands-free phone calls when your smartphone is Bluetooth connected to the speaker. This feature is not offered on the Bose SoundLink III speaker. With the Bose SoundLink III, when there is a phone call on the smartphone connected to the Bose speaker, the audio source is interrupted and the call is played through the phone only and not through the speaker. When the call ends, the music starts again automatically through the speaker.
Note 3: The auxiliary input allows connection of other non-Bluetooth sound devices to the speaker.
Note 4: All three speakers considered here come with a USB port, but their use is quite different: With Logitech UE MINI BOOM and Sony SRS-BTV5 speakers, the USB port is used only to charge the battery. With Bose SoundLink, the USB port can also be used to download new software to the unit to keep it up to date.
Note 5: Only the USB port on the Bose SoundLink III allows software downloads to the speaker to update the unit's software with the latest features and bug corrections.
Note 6: This refers to the number of smartphones, tablets or computers that can be programmed into the speaker for Bluetooth wireless communication. Though the Sony SRSBTV5 speaker does not specify the number of devices that can be programmed, users were able to program at least their smartphone, laptop and tablet.
Note 7: This refers to the number of smartphones, tablets or computers that can simultaneously be connected to the speaker allowing music being streamed alternately from any one of them. Logitech UE MINI BOOM allows simultaneous connection with up to two devices. Bose SoundLink III does not provide this feature. Also, on Sony SRS-BTV5, when the NFC technology (explained above) is used for pairing the speaker with your device, the multi-point connection feature is not available.
Note 8: The Bose SoundLink II and Logitech UE speakers all come with AC wall chargers/power adapters. The AC wall charger for the Sony SRSBTV5 is optional and can be obtained separately. Note however that the Logitech UE and Sony SRSBTV5 speakers can also be charged by connecting their supplied micro-USB cable to the speaker, and then connecting the other end of the cable to a computer. All three speakers provide also optional car chargers for charging your speaker while on the road. These car chargers need to be purchased separately (see below under Amazon products section).
Note 9: All prices are approximate as they can change for one day to the next. Also prices may vary depending on the color chosen. Note that Amazon often provides a good discount on the List Price of sold products.
Bose SoundLink III: This speaker provides the best sound you can find today in the small size wireless speakers category. Using advanced Bose technologies, it plays louder and longer than its predecessor SoundLink II, reproducing perfectly the fullness, clarity and depth of the music.The best part is that even when played very loud no distortion is noticeable. This is partly due to the sound processing software that is built-in and that enhances the quality of the outgoing sound. The speaker can play surprisingly loud for its size and definitely louder than any other comparable speakers with no noticeable distortion, vibration or shaking.
Logitech UE MINI BOOM and Sony SRS-BTV5: Being even smaller than the Bose SoundLink III and Jawbone Big Jambox, Logitech UE and Sony SRS-BTV5 should not be expected to achieve similar sound volume levels. But with the new Logitech UE MINI BOOM (which replaced the old Logitech UE 984) the sound is surprisingly powerful and clear for a small speaker. In particular, the sound is noticeably richer and has a deeper bass than the older UE 984. Note that with these small speakers the sound quality is best in the middle volume settings and slightly deteriorates at high settings.
Note 2: Logitech UE and Sony SRS-BTV5, all have a built-in microphone which allows hands-free phone calls when your smartphone is Bluetooth connected to the speaker. This feature is not offered on the Bose SoundLink III speaker. With the Bose SoundLink III, when there is a phone call on the smartphone connected to the Bose speaker, the audio source is interrupted and the call is played through the phone only and not through the speaker. When the call ends, the music starts again automatically through the speaker.
Note 3: The auxiliary input allows connection of other non-Bluetooth sound devices to the speaker.
Note 4: All three speakers considered here come with a USB port, but their use is quite different: With Logitech UE MINI BOOM and Sony SRS-BTV5 speakers, the USB port is used only to charge the battery. With Bose SoundLink, the USB port can also be used to download new software to the unit to keep it up to date.
Note 5: Only the USB port on the Bose SoundLink III allows software downloads to the speaker to update the unit's software with the latest features and bug corrections.
Note 6: This refers to the number of smartphones, tablets or computers that can be programmed into the speaker for Bluetooth wireless communication. Though the Sony SRSBTV5 speaker does not specify the number of devices that can be programmed, users were able to program at least their smartphone, laptop and tablet.
Note 7: This refers to the number of smartphones, tablets or computers that can simultaneously be connected to the speaker allowing music being streamed alternately from any one of them. Logitech UE MINI BOOM allows simultaneous connection with up to two devices. Bose SoundLink III does not provide this feature. Also, on Sony SRS-BTV5, when the NFC technology (explained above) is used for pairing the speaker with your device, the multi-point connection feature is not available.
Note 8: The Bose SoundLink II and Logitech UE speakers all come with AC wall chargers/power adapters. The AC wall charger for the Sony SRSBTV5 is optional and can be obtained separately. Note however that the Logitech UE and Sony SRSBTV5 speakers can also be charged by connecting their supplied micro-USB cable to the speaker, and then connecting the other end of the cable to a computer. All three speakers provide also optional car chargers for charging your speaker while on the road. These car chargers need to be purchased separately (see below under Amazon products section).
Note 9: All prices are approximate as they can change for one day to the next. Also prices may vary depending on the color chosen. Note that Amazon often provides a good discount on the List Price of sold products.
So which speaker to buy?
Once you have finished comparing the Bluetooth wireless speakers selected in this review, you should keep in mind the following points before deciding which one to get:
- If the priority for you is getting the wireless speaker that produces the best sound with no distortions even when played very loud, then you should consider the Bose SoundLink III. Remember though that it does not have a built-in microphone, and therefore it does not support hands-free phone calls.
- If you don't want to spend as much, and you still want to have a wireless speaker with adequate quality sound, then consider either the Logitech UE MINI BOOM or the Sony SRS-BTV5. We prefer the surprisingly good sound quality of the Logitech UE MINI BOOM over the Sony SRS-BTV5. Note that these speakers are smaller and lighter than the Bose speaker. This has the advantage of making them easy to carry, but also the disadvantage of not being able to produce as big and perfect a sound as the Bose speaker can, even though the Logitech UE MINI BOOM sound comes very close. Also, keep in mind that even though both the Logitech and Sony speakers have built-in microphones that allow hands-free calls, their USB ports can only be used to charge the battery and can not be used to software upgrade the units.
The selected Wireless Speakers are all available on Amazon
Please click the speaker of your choice below for price information or to purchase:
Bose SoundLink III Speaker, Cover and Carrying Case:
Logitech Ultimate Ears (UE) MINI BOOM:
Sony SRSBTV5 Speakers:
