As a teacher, a Bluetooth speaker can be a helpful companion. Bluetooth speakers for teachers need to produce loud and clear audio that the entire class can hear. Throw in solid battery life, durable design, and various playback options and you have a perfect classroom companion. Using these criteria, We’ve compiled the best Bluetooth speakers for classrooms across all grade levels.
Best Overall
ION Audio Tailgater Plus 50W
Don’t let the size of this powerful machine fool you. Its 50 watts of power provide dynamic sound that will keep your whole class engaged. Plus, its portability makes it a fantastic choice as more schools are switching to hybrid educational systems. It is incredibly easy to transport this device from your home to your classroom, making it effective for both in-person and Zoom class sessions. Additionally, going cordless provides another layer of adaptability for modern teachers. It offers Wireless Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to have more range with the kinds of audio that you share with your class.
Its clear, high-quality microphone gives you a direct channel to communicate with your class during lessons. You no longer have to worry about speaking over your students, whether you are in person or online. Having an external microphone eliminates this problem. This package comes with the speaker, a microphone and connector cable, aux cable, power/charging cable, safety and warranty manual, and quickstart guide. It can also play FM radio.
Pros:
- Its portable size allows teachers to take it with them anywhere
- Strong, powerful audio quality
- FM radio for clean music
- Included microphone
Cons:
- Sound clipping when the bass is too high
- Size may turn some off
Best for Big Volume
Soundcore Trance Bluetooth Speaker
This powerful, 80-watt Bluetooth speaker is a great purchase at an affordable price that can serve a classroom of any size. The Soundcore Trance Bluetooth Speaker is also versatile. it is designed to work indoors and outdoors, allowing you to use it for professional or personal use, ultimately maximizing your investment when you purchase it. Technological advancements have made Bluetooth Speakers even easier to use. This portable speaker comes with an app that you can connect to, leaving you with more time to focus on teaching and less time navigating tech gear.
If you work with young kids, you’ll love this: the Soundcore Trance Bluetooth Speaker is completely waterproof. No matter how hands-on your lessons are, you won’t have to worry about a spill or accident costing you. Science and physical education teachers are particularly at an advantage with this. You can take your class outside, rain or shine, without your speaker getting destroyed by the weather or a rambunctious student. Your location won’t negatively affect the sound quality, either. The algorithm in this speaker conforms to the audio you put through it to give you its best possible sound.
Pros:
- It is completely waterproof
- The app is user-friendly, allowing you to control it anywhere
Cons:
- Occasionally, the app will glitch for some users
Best Budget Option
Bugani M83
Educators on tight budgets do not have to sacrifice quality for affordable prices. Technological advancements have made it possible for a wider range of options for classrooms. The Bugani M83 is equally affordable as it is impressive. This speaker can do more than simply play music. Its indoor/outdoor capabilities allow you to take it anywhere while using it to charge other devices like your cellphone. The battery can play 2,400 minutes of audio on one full charge. These features are beneficial in classroom lectures during outdoor field trips.
This speaker’s massive 40W power allows for a loud listening experience, which is crucial for classrooms that require clear audio for lectures or music. It contains two full-range drivers, as well as two woofers. The specs minimize most harmonic distortion, only feeding crisp audio through either side of the speaker. The speaker’s design contains a left and right channel, pumping out beautiful stereo sound in any setting. While the specs may seem complex, this speaker is user-friendly and fits beginners or experts. You’ll get a warranty, aux cable, Micro USB charging cable, and a quick start guide with this speaker.
Pros:
- The speaker’s rubber makes it extremely durable
- Its size allows it to remain reasonably portable
Cons:
- While durable, it is unfortunately not completely waterproof
Best for Portability
JBL Flip 5
This lightweight, 1.2lb portable speaker comes in a wide variety of different colors, allowing teachers to express themselves in their classrooms. The array of color choices make this speaker memorable and engaging. Its battery life provides 12 hours of listening time at a full charge. That’s not amazing battery life, but the trade-off is portability. The JBL Flip 5 is a very compact Bluetooth speaker which is great for teachers who take the speaker in and out of the classroom often. It’s also fully waterproof (IPX7). All this makes it a versatile, portable option perfect for any environment.
There are cases for the JBL Flip 5 (sold separately), adding to its portability and extending your investment with the added protection. It can connect to multiple different speakers at once with Party Boost, giving you great sound. Playback via 3.5 aux is also available.
Pros:
- Compact, portable and waterproof
- Can connect to other JBL speakers
- Great sound for size
Cons:
- Some users reported crackling at high volumes
- Battery life may not be enough for everyone
Honorable Mentions
Sony SRS XB43
The SRS-XB43 has a sleek appearance design and ton to offer. It’s our favorite for many use cases for good reason. It also makes for engaging content as your students focus on your lectures. The LED lights are colorful, without being distracting. There are multiple LED lighting modes, but they can also be disabled. Moreover, it is incredibly durable; the IP67 design makes it waterproof, rustproof, and dustproof. These are all important qualities for teachers, as they want their investment to last through several years of students.
The speaker charges with a USB Type-C, and it can also charge your smartphone or other devices when necessary. Finally, the app adds to the speaker’s portability, allowing you to control it from anywhere in your on-campus or virtual classroom. The app allows for modifications to the sound profile that which is helpful when switching from music to audio centered around vocals.
Pros:
- This speaker offers exceptional sound quality
- It is lightweight and can also float on water
Cons:
- Occasional sound clipping when the bass is high
- More expensive than other options here
Sony Portable Bluetooth Digital Tuner
While some teachers have completely digitalized their classrooms, many others like to incorporate traditional tools into their lessons. This portable tuner is the perfect in-between; you can play sounds from your Bluetooth devices, or you can listen to traditional AM/FM radio. Finally, you can take it a step further and play CDs, including those that contain MP3 files. You can truly make the most out of a lecture with all of these versatile features. Moreover, this is a great option for those seeking a product under $100, helping any teachers on a tight budget.
The Sony Portable Bluetooth Digital Tuner is only 1lb and its handle makes it easy to move around/ Playback is also exceptionally easy with playback buttons AM/FM radio, Bluetooth, and CDs being simply laid out for users. Teachers across all fields can benefit from the high-quality, loud sound this speaker provides.
Pros:
- The versatile features provide numerous uses for teachers
- Its budget-friendly pricing is irresistible
Cons:
- Playback screen is not backlit & occasionally dark
Bluetooth Speakers for Classroom Buyer Guide
Cost
Most people shop with a budget in mind. This is especially true for teachers, considering they may be covering classroom costs out of pocket. These days, technology has made it possible for speakers to be accessible on many different budgets. Several of the best Bluetooth speakers cost under $100, while remaining aesthetically pleasing and portable. The best Bluetooth speakers for classrooms balance cost and practical features. Teachers don’t need to compromise when it comes to their budget. They can still provide high-quality audio to their students with some of the options on this list.
Playback Options
Great speakers will make playback effortless. Gone are the days when speakers had single playback options. This is key when educational resources come in a variety of formats. Bluetooth speakers on this list offer FM radio, built-in CD players, AUX support, and more. Furthermore, many Bluetooth speakers have control apps, making it easy for you to use anywhere in your classroom without hassle. Others also let users play back directly from apps like Spotify.
Design and Portability
Some campuses are rather large, making it difficult for teachers to carry multiple items to and from their classrooms. By implementing both design and portability aspects to their purchase, teachers will get the highest return of investment. Modern speakers are usually rather sleek. You also want to target a speaker design that fits your specific uses. If you will be using the speaker outdoors, make sure it can stand up to some rain also. If you plan to take it home and other places, make sure it isn’t too large.
Volume and Power
Volume is will be key for large classrooms or when audio is needed outside. Most of the options on this list will be more than sufficient for most classrooms. If you have a larger classroom, focus on a speaker that can easily fill the room. This may mean less portable options, as larger speakers typically have more power. That power results and louder Bluetooth speakers with bigger footprints.
Battery Life
Many of us are constantly relying on multiple different devices at one time. Sometimes, we’ll find that we need to be close to one device while we charge another, like our cell phone. The best Bluetooth speakers offer charging ports so that you can use the device while you charge something else. Some Bluetooth speakers on our list feature 25+ hours of battery life. Focus on these options if you won’t typically be in a position to constantly charge the speaker.
Keith Collins has been writing for over 15 years for various publications. He’s a lover of music, home theater, and excellent sound quality. His fondness for technology in addition to his non-stop curiosity fuels his writing ventures.