Yes, you can use Bluetooth speakers for phone calls. Many Bluetooth speakers come equipped with built-in microphones, allowing them to function as speakerphones when connected to your phone. This is particularly useful for hands-free calls, especially in settings where you need to share a conversation with multiple people or need better audio clarity than what's offered by your phone's speaker. To use a Bluetooth speaker for phone calls, you typically need to pair it with your phone's Bluetooth settings. Once connected, incoming calls can be routed through the speaker. It's important to ensure that your Bluetooth speaker supports this feature, as not all models include a microphone or are designed for phone call functionality.
Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers of February 2025
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Soundcore Anker Motion Boom Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker with Titanium Drivers, BassUp Technology, IPX7, 24H Playtime, App, Built-in Handle, Outdoor Speaker for Camping, Pool, Beach, Backyard
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Incredible Sound Loved by 20 Million+ People
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Extreme Outdoor Sound: Make a statement with Motion Boom waterproof bluetooth speaker—press play and experience huge stereo sound that’s distortion-free, even at high volumes.
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100% Pure Titanium: Motion Boom’s drivers have pure titanium diaphragms to reproduce high frequencies up to 40kHz for sound that has noticeably higher clarity.
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IPX7 Waterproof and Floats: Don’t freak out if Motion Boom waterproof bluetooth speaker goes for a dip! It’s fully waterproof and floats on water.
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Beats Pill - Portable Bluetooth Speaker- Up to 24H Battery Life, Water Resistant, Bluetooth, Apple & Android Compatible, Seriously Loud Sound for Home, Outdoor and Travel- Champagne Gold
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The Beats Pill delivers powerful, room-filling sound. The bigger, bespoke racetrack woofer displaces 90% more air volume, packing more of a punch with deeper, fuller bass.
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The Beats Pill has up to 24 hours of battery life for all-day playback and can be used to charge your phone or other devices via USB-C cable.
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The portable speaker is IP67-rated for dust and water resistance for outstanding durability and includes a removable lanyard and soft-grip silicone backing to make it easy to take with you.
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The redesigned tweeter provides extra stability for crisp highs and rich mid-range tones while the woofer’s material and structure helps minimize low-end distortion even at high volumes
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Enjoy high-resolution lossless audio from your Beats Pill by connecting it to your laptop or other compatible devices via the USB-C cable
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Easily pair two Beats Pill speakers for twice the output experience in Amplify mode or Stereo mode.
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Apple and Android compatibility – including instant one-touch pairing and automatic pairing across your other devices, plus Find My or Find My Device.
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
JBL FLIP 5, Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black, Small
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Wireless Bluetooth streaming
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12 hours of playtime
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IPX7 waterproof
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Pair multiple speakers with party boost
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Premium JBL sound quality
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Power source type: Battery powered
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
NOTABRICK Bluetooth Speakers, 15W Portable Speakers Bluetooth Wireless V5.0 with Stereo Sound, Active Extra Bass, IPX6 Waterproof Shower Speaker, Double Pairing, for Party, Home Theater, Game Theater
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【Portable speaker】: 4.5 inches high, 3.5 inches in diameter; comes with TF card slot ( supports WAV / FLAC / APE / MP3 format ), 3.5 AUX input port, Type-C(Fast charging) and a lanyard for leisure, entertainment, office, indoor, outdoor, hiking, beach, etc.
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【Clear&Delightful Sound】: The subtle little body delivers a stunning 15W sound. Well made for distortion-free sound, the Bluetooth speaker has loud highs, a crisp midrange and full bass to put you in the zone!
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【Pairing-360° Stereo】: True Wireless Stereo function - enables two Bluetooth wireless speakers to be connected in tandem. Let's enjoy a full 360° of loud 30W music in the home theatre, at parties, on the beach, in the park or anywhere else imaginable.
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【Practical Waterproof】: Splashproof, Rainproof, Dustproof, Sandproof;Perfect for the beach, poolside, car, boat & golf cart.IPX6 rated speakers are resistant to mild water spray and splashing, but cannot be partially or fully submerged in water.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with IPX7 Waterproof, 24-Hour Playtime, Wireless Stereo Pairing, 12W Stereo Sound, Bluetooth 5, Bassup, Electronics for Home, Shower, Outdoors, Travel
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Unbelievable sound: 12W of pure audio power with enhanced bass Thunders from dual neodymium drivers. An advanced digital signal processor ensures pounding bass and zero distortion at any volume.
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Intense bass: exclusive bass up technology and a patented spiral bass port boost low-end frequencies to make the beats hit even harder.
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Outdoor-proof: IPX7 protection safeguards against rain, dust, snow, and spills. Get incredible sound at home, in the yard, or anywhere else imaginable.
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24H Non-Stop Music: Anker’s world-renowned power management technology and a 5,200mAh Li-ion battery deliver a full day of sublime sound.
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Ortizan Portable Bluetooth Speaker: IPX7 Waterproof, 24W Loud Sound, Deep Bass, Bluetooth 5.3, LED Lights, Wireless Stereo Pairing, 30H Playtime, for Home/Outdoor/Party/Beach, Birthday Gift (Black)
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【360° Hi-Fi Stereo Sound and Rich Bass】This mini Bluetooth speakers deliver excellent 3D HD stereo sound with 24W total output power, which allows for unique enhanced bass. It handles crisp treble and mid frequencies excellently without noticeable crackle at max volume. An advanced Digital Signal Processor ensures pounding bass and zero distortion at any volumeny volume
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[RGB Colorful Light Show]: The wireless LED Bluetooth speakers not only a speaker but also as a unique night theme light, it provide different color-changing themes. Using Ortizan bluetooth speakers, a totally reimagined rainbow light show that pulses, phases, and shines to the beat of your music. While you enjoy music, gradient lights would truly bring you party atmospher. Using night theme light, you could just open it as a led light without use it to play music.
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[30-Hour Playing Time and TWS Pairing Function]: With the top-of-the-line rechargeable li-ion battery, the bluetooth speaker boasts an unbeatable 30 hours of continuous music playtime or make calls time(built in Microphone). Enjoy music day to night never stop.You can purchase two speakers at the same time to truly enjoy the surround sound of a movie theater by pairing the TWS function, it's an auditory experience that's truly unparalleled.
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
JBL CHARGE 5 - Portable Waterproof (IP67) Bluetooth Speaker with Powerbank USB Charge out, 20 hours playtime, JBL Partyboost (Black)
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Bold JBL Original Pro Sound
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Take the amazing power of JBL Pro Sound with you. The JBL Charge 5 has an optimized long excursion driver, a separate tweeter, and dual JBL bass radiators, all delivering impressively rich and clear audio. Get that big room sound, even when outdoors.
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20 hours of playtime
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The fun doesn't have to stop. Packed with an incredible 20 hours of battery life, JBL Charge 5 lets you party all day and into the night.
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IP67 waterproof and dustproof
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To the pool. To the park. JBL Charge 5 is IP67 waterproof and dustproof, so you can bring your speaker anywhere.
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Wireless Bluetooth Streaming
8
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
Marshall Emberton II Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black & Brass
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SUPERIOR SIGNATURE SOUND: Delivers sound that is rich, clear and loud, like the artist intended. Experience absolute 360° sound with True Stereophonic, a unique form of multi-directional sound from Marshall – where every spot is a sweet spot.
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ROADWORTHY IP67-RATED DESIGN: Tough and resilient, boasting an extremely durable and easy-to-use design that features an IP67 dust- and water-resistance rating. It won’t let rain or dirt get in the way of your music
9
Rating is 4.2 out of 5
Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker, Large IP67 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, Up to 20 Hours of Playtime, USB-C, Built-in 3.5mm AUX Input, Black
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DEEP BASS, BIG SOUND: Whether you're the crew's go-to DJ or a music lover with the best playlists, the Bose SoundLink Max Bluetooth Speaker delivers deep, rich bass for a sound that will truly wow the party
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VIBE WHEREVER YOU GO: Easily bring your Bose portable speaker to any hangout, the soft removable climbing rope handle makes it easy to pick up the party speaker so the music travels wherever you go
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WATERPROOF AND DUSTPROOF: Worry less about accidental drops or getting caught in the rain, this dustproof and waterproof speaker is IP67 rated and is also shock and rust resistant
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20 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE*: This large portable speaker gives you up to 20 hours of battery life*, so you can listen to your favorite tunes all day and night so the party never stops
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POWER UP WHILE LISTENING: The USB-C port on the back lets you charge any device using the speaker’s built-in battery which means if the SoundLink Max Bluetooth Speaker has power, so does your device
How to improve Bluetooth sound quality for calls?
Improving Bluetooth sound quality for calls can be achieved through various methods:
- High-Quality Bluetooth Codec: Ensure your devices support high-quality codecs like aptX, AAC, or LDAC. Both your phone and Bluetooth device need to support the same codec for optimal quality.
- Device Firmware Update: Regularly update the firmware of your Bluetooth device and phone. Manufacturers often release updates that can improve performance and sound quality.
- Bluetooth Settings: Check the settings on your phone for any options related to Bluetooth quality. Some devices have options that prioritize sound quality over connection stability.
- Distance and Obstructions: Keep your phone and Bluetooth device in closer proximity and avoid physical obstructions as much as possible, which can degrade signal quality.
- Reduce Interference: Minimize interference from other wireless devices, Wi-Fi networks, or electronic appliances that may operate on similar frequencies.
- Quality Headset or Earbuds: Invest in a higher-quality Bluetooth headset or earbuds. Cheaper models often have inferior microphones and speakers.
- Environmental Noise Reduction: Use devices with noise-cancellation technology, either passive or active, to improve clarity in noisy environments.
- Proper Fit and Wear: Ensure your headphones or earbuds fit correctly, as a good seal can significantly impact sound quality.
- Battery Levels: Maintain adequate battery levels on your Bluetooth device. Low battery can sometimes compromise sound performance.
- Dedicated App Features: Check if there are any apps provided by the headset manufacturer that allow you to tweak settings for better call quality.
Improving sound quality can require some investment in better equipment, but these tips can help you make the most of your current setup.
How to enable Bluetooth on an iPhone?
To enable Bluetooth on an iPhone, you can follow these steps:
Using the Settings App:
- Unlock your iPhone and go to the home screen.
- Open the "Settings" app. The icon looks like a gray gear.
- In the Settings menu, scroll down and tap on “Bluetooth.”
- In the Bluetooth menu, toggle the switch to turn it on. The switch will turn green, indicating that Bluetooth is enabled.
Using Control Center:
- Unlock your iPhone.
- Access the Control Center:
On iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and later): Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
On iPhones with a Home button (iPhone 8 and earlier): Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.
- In the Control Center, look for the Bluetooth icon, which looks like a stylized letter "B."
- If the Bluetooth icon is not highlighted, tap it once to turn it on. The icon will turn blue when Bluetooth is enabled.
Once Bluetooth is enabled, your iPhone will start searching for available Bluetooth devices nearby, allowing you to connect to them.
How to prioritize audio devices in Bluetooth settings?
Prioritizing audio devices in Bluetooth settings can vary depending on your operating system and device. Here's a general guide for common platforms:
Windows:
- Settings Access: Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Audio Priority:
Windows doesn't offer a direct way to prioritize Bluetooth devices. However, you can control which device is the default for audio playback.
Click on Sound settings or go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound.
Under the Playback tab, you can see your paired devices. Right-click the device you want to prioritize and select Set as Default Device.
macOS:
- Bluetooth Settings: Click the Apple menu and go to System Preferences > Bluetooth.
- Reorder/Pair Devices:
There isn't a direct prioritization feature on macOS either. However, the device you connect to first will typically be prioritized.
- Sound Preferences:
Go to Sound in System Preferences.
Under the Output tab, select the device you wish to use by default when connected.
iOS (iPhone/iPad):
- iOS tends to automatically connect to the most recently paired device. To ensure the desired device is prioritized, try disconnecting or un-pairing other devices that you don't want as a priority.
Android:
- Settings Access: Go to Settings > Connected devices.
- Connection Management:
Like iOS, Android usually connects to the most recently used device. You can manage connections by disconnecting devices you don't want to connect automatically.
General Tips:
- Unpair/Forget Devices: If a device you don't want keeps connecting automatically, try unpairing it and only pair when needed.
- Apps and Shortcuts: Some devices may have third-party apps or custom settings that help manage Bluetooth connections more dynamically.
For some devices, particularly audio systems, you might find manufacturer-specific apps that offer more granular control over device priorities. Always ensure your device's software is up to date, as manufacturers occasionally add more features and settings options.
