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Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Reviewers Love These Under-$50 Bluetooth Speakers
Having a great sound system in your home can elevate the overall vibe of your living space. Want to host the perfect party? You can't do without great music in the background. And if you want to listen to music or a podcast while you're cooking, cleaning, or crushing an at-home workout, a top-notch Bluetooth speaker can come in handy there, too. The only problem? These wireless speakers can get expensive, retailing at around $500 at their highest price point. Luckily, you don't have to break the bank to get a high-quality speaker: Here are the best $50-and-under Bluetooth speaker options reviewers swear by. A waterproof Bluetooth speaker that comes in five colors Do you love to sing in the shower? Then you won't want to miss this under-$30 waterproof speaker in five different colors. This portable Bluetooth device seamlessly delivers a strong, well-balanced sound with very little distortion. Plus, it has over 14,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. Promising review: 'This speaker really surprised me. I have one that is more expensive but this one has better quality and more power. It's so easy to take with you. Fits right in one hand. I didn't realize it had changing lights but they're a plus.' —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $22.99+. An Echo Pop with Alexa to help you out If you ask Alexa to find you the best affordable Bluetooth speaker you can bet she'll suggest the Amazon Echo Pop. This full-sound compact smart speaker, which comes in two neutral hues as well as lavender and teal, can be used to play your favorite music and podcasts. As a nice bonus, Alexa can help you out with any important information you need between review: 'This thing has pretty amazing sound quality for its size. It fills a bedroom easily and music sounds really good on it. I purchased a Homepod mini and returned it because it sounded exactly the same while being much more expensive. Alexa is also super useful and responds super quickly. I think this is a really good product.' —AndyGet it from Amazon for $24.99. A compact but powerful clip-on speaker This small portable speaker has a whopping 10 hours of playtime and has a very strong sound for how small it is. Waterproof and durable, you can wirelessly stream high-quality sound from your devices no matter where you are. Promising review: 'I actually just bought this to place in my Bose is just so bass heavy I couldn't listen to a podcast while the shower was running. There was just no clarity. The sound was distorting. Imagine my surprise at this much less expensive and much better sounding little shower Bluetooth. I highly recommend! My house is large. I can play this in my bathroom at one end of my 2000 square-foot UPstairs and still hear it at the other end of the upstairs portion of the house. Seriously!' —AnnieGet it from Amazon for $37+ (available in 10 colors). A wireless speaker with 12 watts of audio power This little speaker has nearly 100,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, so you know it's good. With 12 watts of pure audio power, this Bluetooth speaker features an intense base and is both waterproof and outdoor-proof. Plus, if black is just a little too boring for you, this speaker is also available in vibrant blue and orange shades. Promising review: 't isn't as nice as some of the other speakers, but at the price point, this one has great value. If you're not wanting to spend that $70-100+ for a speaker, this is a great route to go. Still has really good sound and fills a room well.' —MichaelGet it from Amazon for $29.44+ (available in four colors). The Tribit with crystal-clear sound With "crystal highs, crisp mids and rich bass," according to the brand, this mighty little speaker creates an immersive listening experience with bass radiators and dual 8W power drivers. This Tribit Bluetooth speaker can connect to all Bluetooth-enabled devices within 150 feet. And in case you're wondering, yes, it's waterproof. Promising review: "We decided to get a new, state-of-art portable speaker for our outdoor patio. We were interested in its portability and bluetooth connectivity, in addition to decent sound quality. After some research we ended up with small Tribit because it's very affordable price but because other people had commented positively on its capabilities. We definitely like and enjoy our new Tribit in our outdoor garden-battery life is good as we have played it non-stop outdoors for a 5 hour stretch. The sound quality is very good even with some bass notes. We plan to take the Tribit on our vacations and to our second home in Latin America. This is a good, affordable buy over some of the really expensive offerings." —Amazon Customer-breton9Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three colors). A cute little speaker with punchy bass This super portable JBL speaker features punchy bass and seven hours of playtime. Waterproof and dust-proof, this cute speaker is available in nine different designs and is made in part with recycled materials. Plus, it has over 2,000 five-star ratings on review: "The sound of the speaker itself is pretty decent. Obviously, you can't compare a speaker like this to a full on party speaker or anything like that but it sounds pretty good. There is no tin like or static sound whatsoever, and the device doesn't rattle when the bass hits even when at loud volumes. I listen to a lot of different genres of music and everything sounds good. you could definitely compare the quality of sound from this brand to a few more well-known, but more expensive brands that are out there.' —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $39.95. A Doss Bluetooth speaker The Doss 12-watt full-bodied stereo is water-resistant and includes easy-to-use touch controls. It's also waterproof, and the rechargeable battery powers up to 20 hours of playtime. Promising review: 'I buy a lot but don't write a lot of reviews. But I am so happy with this speaker! I tend to research so much that I get lost in the conflicting opinions and reviews and end up just buying the most expensive in hopes that it's true that you get what you pay is not the truth too many times. I have been through three different Bose portable Bluetooth speakers over the past year and between the charging port messing up and having trouble with Bluetooth connectivity and range I finally decided to just try a less expensive one and see what it would do since it seemed I would be buying one periodically anyway. All of that is to say that I read a couple of reviews saying this DOSS speaker was better than an expensive Bose and took a chance. I am so happy with it! Easily connects, stays connected, sounds great (I'm only using it for listening to music in the house and outside when I'm working), the range is awesome and it doesn't sound distorted when I turn it up. Very pleased. Wish I had tried this a long time ago.' —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in 11 colors).


7NEWS
03-06-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Amazon Australia's Mid Year Sale is here: Score huge savings across GHD, Breville, Lacoste and more
Amazon Australia's Mid Year Sale is here, offering up to more than 60 per cent off on a range of selected items. The sale includes everything from household appliances, electronic devices, beauty products and more. If you're wanting to upgrade your headphones, invest in a new hair straightener or elevate your morning routine with a smart speaker, now is your chance to do so without breaking the bank. This Amazon Australia sale is for a limited-time only so you'll want to be quick, we've rounded up our five top items from the sale below to help you shop. 1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, were $649 now $399.95 The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones deliver immersive spatial audio and personalised sound with CustomTune technology for a next-level listening experience. Featuring world-class noise cancellation with multiple modes, they also ensure crystal-clear call quality thanks to advanced microphone technology. Designed for luxury and comfort, they offer soft ear cushions, balanced pressure, and sleek materials. With Bluetooth 5.3, 24-hour battery life, intuitive touch controls, and motion-activated power, these headphones combine premium performance with seamless convenience. 2. Echo Pop | Full sound compact Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart speaker with Alexa, was $79 now $49 The Echo Pop is the ultimate compact smart speaker with rich sound, perfect for small spaces like bedrooms, and blends easily into any décor. With Alexa built-in, you can control music, audiobooks, and smart home devices using just your voice or the Alexa app. It also makes daily tasks easier, you can set timers, check the weather, make calls, and more, all hands-free. Featuring eero built-in for Wi-Fi extension and multiple privacy controls, the Echo Pop is a smart, secure, and versatile addition to your home. 3. GHD Original Hair Straightener, was $295 now $188.10 The GHD Original Hair Straightener is a modern upgrade of the iconic classic, delivering smoother, sleeker, and shinier results with advanced ceramic technology. Its single-zone heating maintains a consistent 185° degrees to ensure long-lasting styles while minimising heat damage. With a rounded barrel and floating plates, it easily creates straight styles, waves, or curls without snagging. Fast-heating and travel-friendly, it features universal voltage, a 30-minute sleep mode, and precision plates for enhanced shine and control. 4. Lacoste Crocodelle Green Silicone Green Dial Women's Watch, was $249 now $124 The Lacoste Crocodelle Women's Watch features a stylish green sunray dial with the signature Lacoste logo at 3 o'clock, paired with a matching green silicone strap for a bold, sporty look. Powered by a reliable 3-hand quartz movement, it has a sleek 36mm case with an 8.55mm thickness for a comfortable fit. With 5ATM water resistance, it's suitable for everyday wear, including showering or swimming. This watch combines fashion-forward design with practical functionality, perfect for active and style-conscious women. 5. Breville the Breakfast Pack Kettle & Toaster, was $139.95 now $99 The Breville Breakfast Pack includes a sleek stainless steel 2-slice toaster and a 1.7L BPA-free stainless steel kettle, designed for durability and style. The toaster features extra-wide, deep slots for even toasting and offers Cancel, Reheat, and Defrost settings for added convenience. The powerful 1.7L kettle heats water quickly, making up to seven cups — perfect for busy mornings. With 900 watts of power and a modern, matching design, this duo brings efficiency and elegance to your kitchen routine. Shoppers have given the Breville Breakfast Pack, a 4.4-star rating on Amazon Australia's website, calling it, 'excellent.'


Buzz Feed
31-05-2025
- Buzz Feed
The Tech Purchase That Made My Life 1,000 Times Easier
I don't remember exactly why I bought my first Kasa smart plug. According to my Amazon history, it was May 9, 2021, and I can't remember what I was doing then except spending lots of time at home. But I do know this: I don't want to remember life without one. Or 10. They're so good, so helpful, so useful, that now I have 10. Why did I go from zero to 10, and why should you? Turning every outlet in your home into one you can control by app or voice assistant opens up a world of possibilities. I have houseplants under grow lights in darker corners of my home, and can turn those on and off even if I'm halfway around the world. I can put them on a schedule when I travel, but still turn that schedule off if someone needs to stay in my apartment. I can leave an appliance running, and turn it off while running errands. I can use my smart plugs for Christmas lights, or to make it appear someone is home for safety. I have a bedroom air purifier set to turn on one hour before my usual bedtime and to turn off in the morning, right as my living room air purifier is scheduled to turn on (doing this with a coffee maker or fan is an absolute no-brainer). All this automation might sound complicated or technically intimidating, but I promise it's easier than you could dream possible. All you have to do is plug one in, push a button to connect it to your WiFi, add it to the phone app, and live your life. In the more than two years I've been using these every day, I've never had an issue with dropped connections or an inability to find WiFi. The Kasa app is straightforward, and if you prefer, you can simply use Alexa or Google Home instead (or both). (Amazon has a new and compact Alexa-enabling Echo Pop smart speaker, if you don't have a voice control system set up.) One thing I love most about the Kasa mini smart plugs is that if you only use one, it's small enough to leave the other socket in your outlet free without covering it up or making it impossible to plug something else in. Kasa also makes their smart plug in a weather-ready outdoor power cord form, which is great for Halloween displays, Christmas lights or landscape lighting, or as indoor power strips for which each outlet can be controlled individually (I have one of those, too, plugged in behind a piece of furniture I never want to move). The Kasa weather-resistant outdoor smart plug has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon. You can check out every type they offer. With the Kasa smart plug power strip, you can control each socket individually with your phone or voice. Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in an outdoor version for $17.99 and an indoor power strip for $43.99).


Tom's Guide
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Amazon knocks up to 40% off Bluetooth speakers ahead of Memorial Day — 11 deals I'd shop now
Whether you're hosting a barbecue, heading to the beach or hanging by the pool this Memorial Day weekend, there's nothing quite like blasting some feel-good tunes as the weather warms up. However, you're going to need a high-quality Bluetooth speaker that's up to the task. Fortunately, Amazon is taking up to 40% off top-rated speakers during its latest sale — many of which hold a spot on our list of the best Bluetooth speakers we've tested. Right now, we're seeing epic discounts from brands like JBL, Ultimate Ears, Sony and Sonos. Even better? The deals are starting at just $24. Below, I've rounded up my favorite deals on Bluetooth speakers that will get you the most bang for your buck — all from Amazon's Memorial Day sale! Keep scrolling to check them out. Plus, check out our full guide to the best Memorial Day sales right now. This is the most affordable Alexa speaker Amazon sells and it's now been slashed to an even lower price. In our Echo Pop review, we were impressed by the speaker's sound for its small size. It lacks the temperature and motion sensors of the Echo Dot, but the Echo Pop still allows you to set timers, control your other smart home devices and more. Note that this isn't a portable speaker and has to be used while plugged in. The JBL Go 3 is the ideal Bluetooth speaker for traveling and outdoor adventures, and it's dropped to $29 at Amazon. It's IP67 waterproof and dustproof, and ultra-compact in size. But it still offers surprisingly strong sound and up to five hours of playback on a single battery charge. One of the best Bluetooth speakers in terms of portability is on sale right now at Amazon. Believe it or not, this 0.6-pound speaker packs a punch. The orange, light grey and black colors are all included in the promotion. The Clip 4 is a wicked little speaker that clips to your bag so that you can take it anywhere you want. There's 10 hours of battery life so it'll last you through any hike you might take it on. We found some great sound for its size in our JBL Clip 4 review as well, with a surprising amount of bass. I also happen to really like the way that it looks, with its giant keyring styling going a long way in setting it apart from other small Bluetooth speakers. The Miniroll is the ultimate musical companion. It's a super small Bluetooth speaker, so it'll fit into a backpack without a problem. It's sturdy too, which will let it survive even the most traumatic of outdoor mishaps. The small but mighty device is a great deal at its original price — but right now, you can get it for just $58. The Anker Motion Boom may not be much of a looker, but it has all the right credentials to deliver big stereo sound anywhere. Its practical size belies its ability to fill whatever space you are in with bassy sound, and has the power to project sound outwards into an open space with impressive clarity. Sony's ULT line is big, bassy and loads of fun. The ULT Field 1 is a great entry into the family, and when we went hands on with the ULT Field 1 we found a powerful little speaker with some big sound. Battery life is solid as well at 12 hours. This deal puts the speaker at its lowest price ever. This deal brings a long-awaited discount to the Beats Pill. We had a Beats Pill hands-on, and found a speaker that has (as you might expect) some massive bass and a slick look. Battery life is respectable at 24 hours, and its waterproofing makes it perfect for pool parties and outdoor use. This portable has some useful rugged touches to protect the speaker from routine knocks and scuffs while on the road. Its IP67 rating means that it's protected from dirt and moisture, and a rubberized cap secures the USB-C charging port at the back to protect it from water ingress. Sound quality was impressive during our Ultimate Ears EpicBoom review, and the battery life claims to deliver 17 hours of playback. This speaker is perfect to get the party going. Our JBL Xtreme 4 review praised its incredible sound quality with adaptive EQ, thumping bass and 24-hour battery life. On top of that, it has an IP67 rating meaning it can survive spills and it can even be used as a power bank to charge your phone. It's heavy at 73.76 ounces, but it's a great speaker especially after a discount. The Sonos Move 2 remains our top pick for Bluetooth speakers. It's not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but it's loaded with smart features and has 24 hours of battery life to make sure you can keep listening for hours on end. Its sleek good looks help it worm its way into your heart as well.


Gizmodo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
Amazon Drops the Newest Echo Pop to Its First and Lowest Price Yet, Practically Free for a Limited Time
If you've been thinking about dipping your toes into the smart home world, one good place to start is with an Amazon Echo device. It's easy to use, and you can put it just about anywhere in your house. It's a solid speaker and a smart home hub, and it's pretty unobtrusive, too. And if you want to go ahead and lock one in for yourself, Amazon is selling one at a great price right now. You won't want to miss out on this one, especially since it's available for only $25. In fact, you can get the newest version of the Echo Pop for just $25, down from its usual price of $40. That's $15 off and a discount of 38%. See at Amazon The smarter speaker that you can place anywhere The 4th Gen Echo is a smaller, sphere-shaped device that you can put just about anywhere and it won't look or feel too out of place. It's an effective speaker with a 3-inch woofer and dual front-firing tweeters, which means it actually offers sound that can fill a room if you want that type of music. And it can push out clear, crisp voice calls if you use it to communicate. But it's much more than that. In fact, you can use it to set up and keep track of all your smart home devices. That includes cameras, bridges, and more. You can use the Echo to bring them all together in a central location, which should make it a lot easier to set routines, get updates, control lights, and more. Alexa can help with a lot of that too, like weather updates, voice-controlled routines, news briefings, shopping lists, alarms, and more. There's even a built-in temperature sensor and motion detection, which you can use to trigger automations based on whether someone's in the room. And if you're worried about privacy, there's a physical button that cuts power to the microphones. You're in control of when it's listening. For just $25, this is a device that punches above its weight class in a big way. You'd probably find yourself spending a lot more on similarly functioning tech elsewhere, but Echo speakers are cheaper for a reason. And this one is affordable in a way right now that means you can get a couple and place them around your house, or give them as gifts. Whatever the case may be, don't miss out on this deal and head to Amazon to scoop one up. See at Amazon