The best wireless speakers you can buy in 2020 come in a range of shapes and sizes, from compact voice assistant-enabled desk buddies through to big multi-room models that’ll fill your home with sound.
As well as offering pristine audio playback, the best wireless speakers pack in a whole host of features, iincluding smart assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant. Many of the best wireless speakers also boast built-in support for streaming services, and slick designs that will look the part in any home.
Most of these best wireless speakers double up as Bluetooth speakers as well. This means you can easily cast music from your phone or other Bluetooth device, though some rely on a Wi-Fi network to communicate with your device.
Whatever you need a new wireless speaker for, making the right decision can be a challenge, there’s just so much choice. That’s why we’ve selected and ranked the best wireless speakers for 2020 based on price and performance to make your decision a little easier.
Our top picks
1. Sonos One
For the time-being, the Sonos One is the king of connected speakers
Weight: 1.85kg (4.08 lbs) | Size: 6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69 in | Drivers: 1 x tweeters, 1 x woofer | Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 4.2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, 3.5mm, RCA | Ethernet: No | Aux-in: Yes | USB: No
If you're in the market for a cleanly designed, exceptional sounding connected speaker, you'll find none better than the Sonos One. Offering the best of both Sonos' multi-room speaker platform and both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant's smart home prowess, the Sonos One is the pinnacle of connectivity.
Want to hear your favorite song from Spotify? All you need to do is ask! Want every speaker in the upstairs to play the same song? Group them together via the Sonos app and you'll have a house party in minutes.
While there are more powerful (and more expensive) speakers listed down below, for the vast majority of folks, the Sonos One is the best wireless speaker of 2020.
Read the full review: Sonos One
2. Sonos Play:5
Another excellent flagship speaker from the multi-room king
Weight: 6.3kg | Size: 204mm x 364mm x 154mm | Drivers: 3 x tweeters, 1 x woofer | Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Bluetooth 4.2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, 3.5mm, RCA | Ethernet: No | Aux-in: Yes | USB: No
Sonos was one of the first companies to get into the wireless speaker business, and as a result has one of the most seamlessly integrated speaker systems on the market.
Unlike solutions which rely on Bluetooth or Google Cast, Sonos' speakers are controlled directly from its own app, which has built in integration for a number of streaming services, including Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, Deezer, TuneIn, and a whole range of smaller services.
Since the Play:5 comes with multi-room support, you can also add additional speakers such as the Sonos Play:3 and Sonos Play:1 to built up a complete surround sound system, but if you want to keep it simple, then you should find the Play:5 to offer more than enough volume.
Read the full review: Sonos Play:5
3. Pure Evoke C-F6
The all-in-one audio system of your dreams
Weight: 4.2kg | Size: 380 mm x 145 mm x 223 mm | Drivers: 2 x 3" full range | Supported Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Ethernet: Yes | Aux-in: Yes | USB: No
The Pure Evoke C-F6 isn't a flashy wireless speaker – its modest (but refined) looks let it slip unassumingly into any decor, although it doesn't boast the premium multi-room options of pricier competitors on this list.
But that's also not really the point of the Evoke C-F6 – it's positioning itself to be the one-room, one-shop stop for all your audio playback needs. There's a dazzling array of audio source options on offer here, with the biggest draws being Spotify Connect, DAB, Internet radio, Bluetooth and old faithful CD playback.
With a solid app letting you control the speaker from across a room, and the Evoke C-F6 offering a warm and natural soundstage from its stereo speakers, it'll take pride of place on whichever bedside table or living room shelf you decide to pop it on.
Read the full review: Pure Evoke C-F6
4. Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless
An iconically designed speaker for the connected age
Weight: 6.5kg | Size: 188mm x 660mm x 183mm | Drivers: 2 x Tweet , 2 x Mid-range, 1 x Subwoofer | Supported Connectivity: AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth aptX | Ethernet: Yes | Aux-in: Yes | USB: No
It's a tough call between this speaker and the Mu-So Qb for the best-looking wireless speaker on this list, but the Zeppelin is certainly the most striking.
As with all these speakers, the proof is in the pudding, and the Zeppelin sounds absolutely stunning no matter what volume you play it at. Its bass is distortion free, and its mid-range is nice and punchy.
It's also backed by a complete swath of connectivity options, so you'll have no problem getting your more obscure apps playing through the speaker.
The only problem is its price: $699 / £499 / AU$999. But while the sticker price ensures that only serious audiophiles will give it some consideration, it's a lot less pricey than the Mu-So Qb, and you get a similar level of sound quality.
Read the full review: Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless
[Update: We recently saw the new Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex in action – and so far we're impressed. Don't be surprised if you see the cheapest entry-point to the Formation range on this list in the near future.]
5. Mu-So Qb
Stunning looks, but thankfully not just a pretty face
Weight: 5.6kg | Size: 210mm x 218mm x 212mm | Drivers: 1 x Woofer, 2 x Mid-range, 2 x Tweeter, 2 x Passive Radiator | Supported Connectivity: UPnP, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth aptX | Ethernet: Yes | Aux-in: Yes | USB: Yes
You might not have heard of it before, but Naim audio is a company that produces some of the most stylish connected speakers in the business, and we think the Mu-So Qb is the best they've put out yet.
It comes will a full suite of connectivity options including aptX Bluetooth, Spotify Connect and AirPlay, which means all of your music should be supported at its maximum resolution, no matter what device you're using.
But even if you don't have your phone in hand, this wireless speaker is still controllable using its sleek touch-screen which allows you to access internet radio stations, for example.
It's got a premium price, but if you pluck for the Qb then you won't be disappointed.
[Update: Naim has just launched a second-gen version of the Mu-so Qb, and it looks fantastic – we'll be sure to update this list as soon as we get the chance to hear it.]
Read the full review: Mu-So Qb
6. Sonos Arc
The best wireless soundbar you can buy right now
Dimensions: 1141.7 x 87 x 115.7mm (W x H x D) | Speaker configuration: 5.0.2 | Claimed audio power: N/A | Connections: HDMI input (ARC), optical digital audio to HDMI converter, Bluetooth, Ethernet port, 802.11b,g Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, IR receiver
Sonos has a new surround sound solution and it’s contained entirely in a single soundbar it calls Arc.
The Sonos Arc draws on Dolby’s latest TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus sound codecs to deliver the best quality lossless audio found on cutting edge Blu-ray disks and some of the leading streaming services. It then enhances the 3D soundscape using Dolby Atmos object tracks to bounce certain sounds off the walls around you so they feel like they’re coming at you from all angles.
While all this might sound complicated, the Sonos Arc setup couldn’t be simpler, involving just a couple of steps on the smartphone app. The minimalist cable connections and all-in-one system construction add to this no-fuss feeling and streamlined aesthetic – making it the best soundbar you can buy in 2020 that doubles up as a fantastic wireless speaker for your TV.
Read more: Sonos Arc review
- Looking for more great soundbars? Read our list of the best soundbars in 2020
7. Google Home Max
The best Google Assistant speaker
Weight: 3.2kg | Size: 209 x 294 x 166 mm | Drivers: 2x Tweeters, 2x Woofers | Supported Connectivity: DLNA, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, USB, 3.5mm | Ethernet: Yes | Aux-in: Yes | USB: Yes
When it comes to stuffing a small apartment with Google Assistant devices, is too much of a good thing bad? As the Google Home Max proved to us, the answer is no.
Although absolutely massive, the Home Max makes for a surprisingly versatile addition to a space of any size, thanks to its balanced, awesome sound delivery and Smart Sound function that helps it adjust to any environment you set it in.
Google’s biggest wireless speaker is more elegant than it has any right to be, what with clever touches like the moveable resting pad and orientation-friendly touch functions. It’s also appreciated that its looks stand out if you choose to notice it, but blend into the scene during everyday use.
Read the full review: Google Home Max
8. KEF LS50 Wireless
If you came for bookshelf speakers, leave with these
Weight: 6.12kg | Size: 420 x 198 x 192 mm | Drivers: 2x Mid-to-high range, 1x Woofer | Supported Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth aptX, USB, Toslink/3.5mm | Ethernet: Yes | Aux-in: Yes | USB: Yes
If you're looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers that handle wireless audio as well as having the traditional connections for your vinyl player, check out the KEF LS50 Wireless. While KEF's flagship speakers don't support every wireless standard on the market, they do support Tidal or Spotify, plus standard Bluetooth 4.0.
In terms of sound quality, they are staggeringly detailed and their stand-out sonic feature is their holographic imaging and instrumental layering: We could hear exactly where each instrument was coming from and each instrument sounded distinct and never blurry. Soundstage was expansive with good space to the side and above the listener. Resolution is excellent as the speaker can dig for the micro-details that get lost in lesser audio systems.
If you're an audiophile who wants the convenience of wireless audio – whether that’s directly from internet streaming services like Tidal or Spotify or from a home server – the KEF LS50 Wireless should be at the top of your list.
Read the full review: KEF LS50 Wireless
9. Marshall Stanmore
A hyper-connected stylish speaker
Weight: 4.70kg | Size: 350 x 185 x 185 mm | Drivers: 2x Mid-to-high range, 1x Woofer | Supported Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth aptX, USB, Toslink/3.5mm | Ethernet: Yes | Aux-in: Yes | USB: Yes
Of its trio of wireless multi-room speakers, the Marshall Stanmore is the middle child. However, that doesn't mean it's the unloved sibling.
While the larger Woburn is just a little too big for most rooms, and the smaller Acton has a number of connectivity issues, the Stanmore strikes a nice balance between the two with a sound that's big and punchy, without straying too far into 'overkill' territory (although mark our words, it will if you want it to).
It features its own app for controlling it, but we were fans of how nicely it integrates with a host of other services including AirPlay, Google Cast and Spotify Connect, meaning you can stick to the apps you're familiar with while still controlling your new toy.
But it's the on-board controls that impressed us the most. You're able to set presets from a number of different services, meaning you can happily switch between pre-defined Spotify playlists and internet radio stations with a twist of a vintage Marshall-styled brass knob.
It's not got the most refined sound out of the speakers on this list, but the Marshall Stanmore is intelligently designed and simple to use. If you're looking for something to take on the road, check out our Marshall Tufton review – it packs the vintage Marshall look and rocking sound into a portable design.
Read the full review: Marshall Stanmore
10. Amazon Echo Studio
The best Alexa speaker
Weight: 7.7lbs | Size: 206 x 175mm | Drivers: 1 x upward-firing midrange speaker, 1 x right-firing midrange speaker, 1 x left-firing mid-range speaker, 1 x forward-firing tweeter, 1 x downward-firing woofer | Supported Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, Airplay | Ethernet: No | Aux-in: Yes | USB: No
The Amazon Echo Studio is an impressive offering - a smart-speaker and Dolby Atmos immersive sound home cinema unit, all in one tidy package. Some of its experiments with upmixing stereo sources can sound a bit confused, but it's otherwise a very powerful, feature-rich smart speaker – especially considering the price.
It's a good option for anyone who's low on space and can't stretch to an upfiring soundbar or multi-speaker setup, while Alexa smarts means that it can act as the center of your smart home, as well as your music player.
If you're upgrading from the simple speakers built into your TV, or a lowly stereo soundbar, it's a fantastic and simple upgrade to make to your home cinema system. You'll get a cracking, resonant bass response, excellent volume and far more depth than a comparably-priced soundbar can offer.
As ever with virtualized surround sound, it's not as impactful as having discrete physical speaker channels above and behind you, hooked up to a home theater receiver. But that's a huge expense, and not practical for all living room arrangements, making the powerful Echo Studio an impressive value option.
Read the full review: Amazon Echo Studio
Best wireless speakers 2020 at a glance
- Sonos One
- Sonos Play:5
- Pure Evoke C-F6
- Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless
- Mu-So Qb
- Sonos Arc
- Google Home Max
- KEF LS50 Wireless
- Marshall Stanmore
- Amazon Echo Studio
How to choose the best wireless speaker for you
When it comes to picking a new wireless speaker, sound is probably the most important factor. If you're looking for room-filling sound, check out models that feature 360-degree grilles and disperse audio at all angles; the Amazon Echo Studio or the Sonos One are good places to start.
If it's true audio-fidelity you're after, opt for trusted brands like Sonos, Bowers & Wilkins, and KEF – speakers from these companies are always likely to sound brilliant.
If smart home connectivity is your main concern, then check out Amazon Echo and Google Home / Nest speakers; you'll need to work out which voice assistant's ecosystem suits you, Alexa or Google Assistant.
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