2026 Popular Speaker Shopping Guide & Recommendation
Speakers can be categorized into Bluetooth, Computer, Subwoofer types, etc. Popular brands include Bose, JBL, Marshall, Sony, and B&O. How do you choose the right speaker for yourself? Check out this speaker buying guide, which also includes recommended popular speakers~
Latest Speaker Review Report
Plug-in Speakers
▾3.5 to 4 Stars▾
| Product | Sound Quality | Listening Effect | Technical Performance | Power Efficiency | Ease of Use | Overall Rating |
JBL Authentics 500 Bluetooth Speaker |
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Harman Kardon Aura Studio 4 Bluetooth Speaker |
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SONOS Era 300 Wireless Speaker |
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SAMSUNG HW-LS60D Bluetooth Speaker |
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Portable Speakers (Latest)
▾2.5 to 4.5 Stars▾
| Product | Sound Quality | Listening Effect | Technical Performance | Battery Performance | Ease of Use | Overall Rating |
Marshall Kilburn III Bluetooth Speaker |
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Marshall Middleton II Bluetooth Speaker |
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Sony ULT30 (ULT FIELD 3) Bluetooth Speaker |
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Sony ULT50 (ULT FIELD 5) Bluetooth Speaker |
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JBL Charge 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker |
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Harman Kardon ONYX Studio 9 Wireless Speaker |
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LG XBOOM Bounce Bluetooth Speaker |
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Bose SoundLink Plus Bluetooth Speaker |
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JBL Flip 7 Portable Bluetooth Speaker |
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Bose SoundLink Home Wireless Speaker |
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B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen Bluetooth Speaker |
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LG XBOOM Grab Bluetooth Speaker |
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Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) Bluetooth Speaker |
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JBL Grip Portable Neon Bluetooth Speaker |
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Source: Consumer Council (January 2026, Issue 591)
The market demand for speakers is increasing, and the reason is obvious. Ultra-HD TVs allow people to enjoy cinema-quality visuals at home, so naturally, everyone expects sound quality to "catch up". Furthermore, in the 5G era, music streaming platforms have expanded to lossless music formats, not to mention Podcasts and viral apps like Clubhouse, all reflecting the rapid development of auditory entertainment. It is truly worth investing in hardware to get a better experience.
How Speakers Work
Most speakers on the market use "moving coil" drivers to produce sound. The driver can be considered the life of the speaker; it is generally the part with the largest surface area that vibrates most intensely when producing sound, often in cone, dome, horn, or ribbon shapes. When the speaker receives an electrical signal, the current passes through the coil on the driver, generating a magnetic field. As the positive and negative poles constantly change, the driver's diaphragm vibrates, creating sound waves and airflow, thus producing sound. Currently, no single driver can perfectly handle all frequencies, so sophisticated speakers use crossovers to distribute audio into high, medium, and low frequencies for playback through different components.
Choosing a Speaker Type
1. Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Features
In recent years, portable Bluetooth speakers have surged in popularity, easily found at beaches, picnic sites, camping spots, and parties. Their advantage lies in being lightweight and easy to carry, suitable for various outdoor and indoor activities, allowing music to be available on demand and letting you control the atmosphere.
Things to Note When Choosing
Portable Bluetooth speakers are designed to handle various activities, so before buying, consider their primary use, such as location, scenario, volume, and sound quality requirements, to easily find a speaker that suits you.
2. Bookshelf/Desktop Speakers
Features
Generally, due to size limitations on crossovers and driver diameter, the sound quality of desktop speakers often cannot match that of Hi-Fi speakers. That said, their smaller size, flexible placement, and support for streaming platforms make them very suitable for Hong Kong homes. Moreover, thanks to technological advances, there are plenty of options with surprisingly detailed and rich sound quality. Additionally, many desktop speakers support AI assistants, making them especially suitable for those intending to build a smart home.
Things to Note When Choosing
Currently, most desktop speakers connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The former has a longer connection range than Bluetooth and higher output power but usually requires a power outlet. Some models offer both connection methods, giving you the best of both worlds. If primarily used to build a smart home, choose based on the operating system and compatibility with other appliances.
3. Floor-standing Speakers
Features
Floor-standing speakers mostly use three-way crossovers with three or more drivers and larger driver diameters, suitable for use with stereo sound systems. Although they take up more space, their more detailed crossovers, stronger amplitude, and sound pressure produce powerful bass with a great sense of presence, making them a favorite among audiophiles.
Things to Note When Choosing
Driver diameter is just one factor affecting sound quality; when purchasing, you also need to consider the material of the driver and the cabinet to achieve the desired effect. The characteristics of various materials are as follows:
| Driver Material | Cabinet Material |
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4. Smart Speakers
Things to Note When Choosing
✔️Mobile Compatibility
• Connectivity: If you plan to connect a mobile phone or other music player, ensure the speaker has Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capabilities.
• Phone Model: Generally, most speakers support both iOS and Android smartphones, but some older phone versions may not be compatible. Please ensure compatibility between your smartphone system and the speaker.
✔️Functions
• Voice Control: Voice-controlled Bluetooth speakers can control lights, alarms, play music, make video calls, and provide schedule and weather alerts, etc.
• IoT: Smart Internet of Things technology.
• To-Do List: Create or edit to-do lists.
• Calendar: Create calendar events and check schedules.
• Battery Charger: Can charge other electronic devices.
✔️Language Support
• Language options are very important, especially when using voice control. Some speakers only support a limited number of languages.
• If the original device does not support your language, check if you can download your language via a language expansion pack.
✔️Sound Quality
• Stereo: Dual-channel or multi-channel speakers provide better sound quality than mono, creating surround sound effects and a 3D audio experience.
• Low Frequency (Bass): If you particularly like heavy metal or rock music, choose speakers with excellent bass. Good bass should be clean, snappy, and layered.
• High Frequency (Treble): Good treble is smooth and resilient.
• Frequency Response: Speakers generally range at least from 50Hz-20KHz. A lower bottom limit means better bass response. A higher upper limit indicates better high-frequency characteristics.
• Sensitivity: The volume level at the same power. With different efficiency speakers, given the same wattage input, higher sensitivity speakers produce greater sound pressure.
• Impedance: Common speaker impedance values are 4Ω, 6Ω, 8Ω. At the same voltage, higher impedance allows less current to flow, while lower impedance allows more current.
✔️Supported Smart Home Platforms
• HomeKit: Only for APPLE products, like HomePod; users can communicate directly with the smart assistant in Cantonese.
• Amazon Alexa: Users need to install the Amazon Alexa App before use. Since Amazon's smart voice assistant Alexa does not yet support Cantonese, users need to communicate with it in English.
• Google Home: Similarly, check if appliances support Google Home before use. Google Nest Audio also does not yet support Cantonese; users can communicate in English or Mandarin. However, the mobile version of Google Assistant supports Cantonese, but pay attention to wording as some colloquial terms may not be supported.
Additionally, if you intend to build a home theater, it is best to choose all speakers from the same brand.
Speaker FAQs
Q: What are the common types of speakers?
A: There are many common types of speakers. These include stereo speakers, car speakers, professional audio speakers, Bluetooth speakers, wireless speakers, etc. Each type has its specific uses and characteristics.
Q: How do I choose a suitable speaker?
A: Choosing a suitable speaker requires considering multiple factors. First, choose the speaker type based on your needs and usage, such as indoor use, outdoor use, car use, etc. Second, pay attention to the speaker's power and sound quality, which depends on your desired volume and musical effect. At the same time, consider factors like size, appearance, and price to ensure it fits your space and budget.
Q: What should be noted regarding speaker installation and use?
A: There are several things to note when installing and using speakers. First, ensure the installation position is stable and appropriate to avoid resonance or noise. Second, pay attention to correct wiring, ensuring positive and negative poles are connected correctly. Additionally, adjust the volume moderately to avoid hearing damage from excessive volume. Finally, clean and maintain the speakers regularly to ensure long-term quality and performance.
Q: How does speaker sound quality affect the musical experience?
A: Speaker sound quality has a significant impact on the musical experience. High-quality speakers can typically provide clearer, richer audio performance, making music sound more realistic and dynamic. Sound quality is affected by multiple factors, including materials, design, drivers, and the cabinet. Therefore, choosing high-quality speakers is very important for obtaining a better musical experience.
Q: How do I protect speakers from damage?
A: To protect speakers from damage, you can note the following. First, avoid using them at high volumes for extended periods to prevent overheating and damage. Second, avoid exposing speakers to extremely humid, wet, or hot environments to prevent damage to electronic components. In addition, clean the speakers regularly to keep the surface tidy and avoid dust and dirt accumulation. Finally, when storing speakers, use a dust cover or package them well to prevent damage from scratches or collisions.