What’s the best iPad speaker on the market today? We’ve conducted extensive research on the topic. To be very honest, it took a lot of time and effort to compile this list of the best speakers.
But before moving ahead to the review section, you should ask yourself these questions:
- Do you want the best wireless speaker that’s compatible with your iPad? Or, would you prefer a wired one?
- Are you looking for speakers that not only connect to your iPad but other devices and family members as well?
- Is the best sound quality essential, or do you want speakers suitable for outdoors?
Table of Contents
iPad Speakers: Features to Look For
We’ve taken these factors into account before finalizing the best speakers for you.
Bluetooth
Since you’re buying them for your iPad, it’s apparent that you must be looking for wireless speakers, in other words, Bluetooth speakers. The device to speaker distance is another critical concern, especially when you’re buying outdoor speakers.
But that’s not the only important factor besides sound quality.
Connectivity
Millennials these days love to share their taste in music with their friends. So, we also considered speakers who can connect more than one device.
Device Compatibility
Device compatibility is crucial for Bluetooth speakers, especially when it comes to Apple devices. That’s why most modern-day speakers come with some connecting app.
Size and Weight
The next important thing for low-profile speakers is size and weight. Why?
- Firstly, you’re connecting your iPad, which is a lightweight device.
- Secondly, you should have the same portability that your mobile device has.
Although there are heavier and bulkier models out there, portable speakers are the modern-day show stoppers: these are more like fashion statements. So, if size and weight weren’t on your list of priorities, think again.
Oh, the Battery Life
We nearly forgot the most crucial factor that can make or break the deal. Bluetooth speakers or any wireless speaker should have good battery life. Usually, these speakers, or their Wi-Fi counterparts, need to work without a power supply, so they operate on a Lithium-ion battery to deliver sound and music.
An average Bluetooth speaker has a battery life of up to 8 hours, but some good ones can last up to 15 hours. These are expensive.
Best iPad Speakers Online
With these considerations in mind, let’s move on to the below sections showcasing the best speakers on the market today:
Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II
Bose needs no introduction in headphones and speakers, and the Bose SoundLink Color Speaker II is no exception. This Bluetooth speaker for iPad boasts advanced Bose Technology that promises high-quality sound packed in a minimalistic and water-resistant design. It’s a go-to speaker that can be your outdoor adventure partner.
While the silicone exterior makes it look pretty soft to hold and carry, this portable Bluetooth speaker has sturdy construction to withstand extreme outdoor conditions.
Probably the best feature in this speaker is pairing. You can pair up to two SoundLink speakers via Bluetooth for partying or you can use SimpleSync technology to pair it to any Bose Home Family device and voice-control it. Pairing your iPad or iPhone with Bose SoundLink Color II is relatively straightforward. You can use voice prompts to do it – that’s how easy it is!
On a single battery charge, this iPhone or iPad speaker gives you a listening time of up to eight hours, while letting you share your music through the device. Going beyond exceptional sound quality, portability, and Bluetooth connectivity, this model features a built-in speakerphone for calls.
Bose SoundLink II measures 5.16″ x 2.19″ x 5″ (HxLxW) and weighs 1.2 pounds. This Bluetooth speaker has a stereo configuration and offers two full range drives of 40mm. It relies on a lithium-ion battery (rechargeable, of course) and corded power supply.
Pros
- Lightweight, compact and portable
- Great sound quality
- Voice controlling and calling
- Long-range wireless connectivity
- Pairing is easy
Cons
- Has charging issues
Beats Pill+ Portable Wireless Speaker
Looks can be deceiving, and the Beats Pill+ Portable Wireless Speaker proves this point. This sleek, simple, and sophisticated speaker can amaze you with its powerful sound, whether you’re in your living room or camping in the woods. It delivers an excellent shared listening experience to iPad and iPhone users.
Where’s the sound coming from? This wireless portable speaker has a two-way crossover active stereo system to deliver powerful audio performance. No matter which genre you like, this stereo system promises optimum sound clarity and dynamic range, thanks to its acoustic mechanics that meet the standards of any music or sound industry.
The Beats Pill+ Wireless Speaker is all about cutting time between you and your favorite songs. Unlike many speakers for iPhones, this one takes no time to connect, thanks to its intuitive design and interface. Just pair your iPad, iPhone, or MacBook with the Bluetooth speaker, and you’re ready! Want more? You can also pair your Apple Watch with these Bluetooth speakers.
Most portable speakers are found wanting when it comes to battery life, but the Beats Pill+ is not an ordinary Bluetooth speaker. It offers an industry-leading 12-hour listening life on a single charge. A lightning cable is included in the pack to charge your speaker in 3 hours fully. You can keep track of the charging levels through the fuel gauge.
This portable Bluetooth speaker makes sure your iPhone or iPad is charged up too, thanks to its charge out feature. If you want to take calls in the middle of the music, you don’t need to disconnect it: the built-in speakerphone activates automatically, letting you talk without disconnecting your device.
This portable wireless speaker measures 12.4 inches x 22 inches x 8.2 inches and weighs 1.28 pounds. It features a ‘b’ button in the middle that functions in four ways:
- Play music
- Skip tracks
- Pause
- Take phone calls
To have access to Beats’ breath-taking features, download the Pill+ app available on the AppStore. You can pair up a second speaker to hype up the party, and enjoy it all night with your friends.
Pros
- The multifunctional button adds simplicity
- Professional-level acoustic mechanics in a small size
- One-year limited warranty
- Dual-source control allows two Bluetooth sources to control music
- Great sound quality
Cons
- Sound not powerful enough to cover a large area
- Doesn’t disconnect previously connected devices automatically
Ultimate Ears Boom 3
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is one of the best Bluetooth speakers for iPhone and iPad. This is probably the best speaker offering 360-degree crisp and clear sound, and it can do this continuously for up to 15 hours, thanks to the high-quality Lithium-ion battery.
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 boasts a soft, rugged exterior, which is easy to hold and grip. You’ll feel like you’re having a portable water bottle. The exterior is IPX7 waterproof and can withstand accidental falls. That means you can take it anywhere from your backyard pool to the tallest mountain.
Now let’s talk about the design.
This cube-shaped Bluetooth speaker has a 73 mm diameter and is 184mm tall. It features a magic button right in the middle of the top next to the small power button. On the front, you’ll find a cross-like sign, which is meant for volume control.
The circular top also features a tiny hole for Bluetooth pairing. As you rotate it and move it to the back, you’ll find a patented strip as tall as the speaker. The top of the strip is the bungee hanger, while at the bottom, there’s a micro USB charging port.
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Bluetooth portable speaker offers only Bluetooth support, but you can get the other models from the same family that has Wi-Fi support. For example:
- Ultimate Ears MegaBlast offers 330 feet of Wi-Fi support.
- Ultimate Ears BLAST offers up to 330 ft of Wi-Fi support
All the Ultimate Ears Bluetooth Speakers offer a 150 ft long Bluetooth range.
Boom 3 is the perfect speaker to create a surround-sound atmosphere. You can pair up to 150+ Booms or MegaBooms using the Boom or Megaboom app and control them with a single device.
Pros
- Waterproof + float design
- Rugged body
- Bungee hanger makes it easier to carry around
- 150-feet Bluetooth range
- 15-hour battery life
Cons
- Requires Boom app to connect to the Speaker
- Sound quality isn’t as good as Bose speakers
JBL Flip 5
You can’t complete a list without this brand, can you? JBL, a US-based audio equipment manufacturer, has been producing top-notch speakers, headphones, and loudspeakers since 1946. Over the years, they’ve made some of the best speakers and headphones and sound equipment with awe-inspiring features, and the JBL Flip 5 is no exception.
Available in a wide range of colors, the JBL Flip 3 wireless Bluetooth speaker delivers unmatched sound quality across all genres. Like other portable outdoor speakers, the JBL Flip 5 boasts bold sound in a small 7.10″ x 2.7″ x 2.9″ body. You can take it everywhere, and why not.
This Bluetooth speaker is made from super-durable fabric that covers the durable speaker housing. This means your speaker remains safe in water, rain, even storms. The IPX7 exterior is not only waterproof, but it’s also strong enough to withstand accidental knocks or falls.
Thanks to the 44mm racetrack-shaped driver that delivers a high bass response, your tracks will sound great in the open air. The hard plastic material holding the fabric around the speaker also features an engraved Power button, Bluetooth button, and a USB-C quick charge port. The volume control buttons and Stereo/Party mode buttons are embossed onto the fabric material.
So basically, the real stand-out is the speaker itself that covers the largest space.
In terms of performance, the JBL Flip 5 is arguably one of the best Bluetooth speakers as it offers 12 hours of battery life. Because of the driver size, the power output is slightly more than JBL Flip. To make sure it doesn’t lose power too quickly, the battery size has been increased to 4800mAH.
Considering all the features, including speaker pairing, lightweight, and a reasonable price stage, this speaker may earn some good reviews. However, the lack of voice assistance and speaker support may prove to be a deal-breaker.
Pros
- High bass response
- iPhone and iPad connectivity
- Device pairing via JBL connect app
- 12-hour battery life
Cons
- No voice assistance
- No speakerphone support
Bose SoundLink Micro
Coming from the same league of powerful portable speakers, Bose SoundLink Micro promises to deliver the crispest sound with unmatched bass you could ask for in a speaker of this size. Although this portable speaker has only average looks, it has built a reputation for audio performance.
Best for outdoors, such as beach fun or camping, the SoundLink Micro weighs just over 0.6 pounds and measures 1.40″ x 3.90″ x 3.90″, making an absolute gem of a speaker for your iPad. You might be wondering why this speaker is suitable for outdoors. That’s due to its Waterproof IPX7 body (it’s not just water-resistant) that makes it a go-to wireless speaker for beach-side fun.
Moreover, the SoundLink Micro also offers almost every feature you get from the SoundLink Color II, such as Siri, Bose Connect app, Voice prompts, and Party/Stereo mode. Another thing that separates it from other speakers for iPhone is its tear-resistant silicone strap at the back so that you can bring it along wherever you go.
For instance, the strap locks the speaker onto your bicycle handle so you can listen to your favorite tracks while enjoying your rides up the hill. But we know you want more!
Since we mentioned outdoor fun and partying, how can you not invite a friend to play tracks with you? The Bose SoundLink Micro understands this, so it offers SimpleSync technology that lets you connect up to two Bluetooth devices, say your iPad and her iPhone. Incredible, isn’t it?
While riding your bike or swimming in the pool, you can’t take calls, can you? But the SoundLink Micro makes this possible with its built-in speakerphone. Use voice prompts to activate the speakerphone.
The only downside of this Bluetooth speaker is its short battery life of only six hours. You can always carry an extra lithium-ion battery for outdoor trips to keep the music going. These are rechargeable batteries, so you can charge your speaker with the included power cable any time.
Pros
- Lightweight speaker
- Rugged exterior; IPX7 complied
- Good sound quality; best for outdoors
- Speakerphone support
- Voice prompts for hand-free usage
- Pairing options
- Access to the complete range of features through Bose Smart
Cons
- Low battery life
- The must-have Bose Connect app is not free to download
FAQs
Below we’re going to address some common questions.
Can I Connect a Speaker to My iPad?
Of course, you can. Similarly, an iPhone or iPad also needs to be compatible with the speaker, wired, or wireless. Most speaker models are universally compatible across all devices, but some might need an app. So, make sure that the speaker you’re buying is compatible with your iPad and comes with an app.
Which Speaker is Best?
The ones listed above are close contenders for the best speaker spot. However, when it comes to sound quality and other basic features, the Bose SoundLink Color II turns out to be the winner. Other speakers belonging to the SoundLink family also have an excellent reputation.
How Many Speakers Does an iPad Have?
Internal speakers are present in all iPad models, and they have right and left sound channels as well. The iPad Pro features four built-in speakers; they automatically adjust bass and frequencies based on the iPad’s position. Whereas the iPad Air has only two speakers.
Where is the Speaker on an iPad?
You’ll find the built-in speaker near the bottom right corner of the iPad.
Conclusion
To conclude, connecting speakers to your iPad is a great idea, but you have to keep in mind the purpose you’re buying the speakers for. Portable speakers are in high demand because of their size, weight, functionality, looks, and extra features.
The iPad does have built-in speakers, but they’re not as bassy as these portable speakers. So, if you’re not a big fan of headphones or earbuds, like to enjoy music 24/7 anywhere, and want your friends to join in on the fun, then these Bluetooth speakers for iPad are must-haves.
About Our Reviews:- Macdentro.com is a team of consumer advocates committed to bringing you accurate, non-biased reviews on all tech products. We also analyze customer satisfaction insights from verified buyers. If you click on any link on Macdentro.com & decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.
