Are you looking for some new, portable sound systems for your music classroom?
Do you want an easy-to-use speaker for your teaching cart?
When I was tasked with teaching music in a cafeteria, on a cart, and in the gym all in the same year, the first thing I wanted to look for was a good Bluetooth speaker. Turns out there are a ton out there, and it can be pretty overwhelming to sort through them all.
By doing research and asking around, I came up with my list of the best Bluetooth speakers for music classrooms.
The best Bluetooth speakers for music classroom should have the best sound quality, dynamic strength, long battery life (where applicable), and be affordable for a school budget. My picks for the best speakers are:
- Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II
- JBL Flip5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- Pyle Portable Bluetooth PA Loudspeaker
- ION Audio Block Rocker Plus
- Ultimate Ears BOOM 2
Read ahead for a brief buyer’s guide, direct comparison, and detailed reviews of each Bluetooth speaker.
All links to products in this article are affiliate which means I earn small commission if you buy them at no extra cost to you. However, I never recommend products I haven’t personally checked out and believe in.
Table of Contents
Direct Comparison Of The Best Bluetooth Speakers
In this section, we’ll offer a quick comparison of the pros and cons for each of these products. Use this table to help you decide which speaker is right for you.
If you want more specific information, head on down to the review section below.
| Speaker | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II | * Great sound quality * Good battery life * Extra pairing features | *Higher price *May not fill up a large room |
JBL Flip5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker | *Good sound quality *Fills large room *Long battery life | *Doesn’t pair up with other speakers |
Pyle Portable Bluetooth PA Loudspeaker | *Affordable price *Strong sound; fills up a gym *Wireless mic included | *Less sound quality at high volumes *Heavy |
ION Audio Block Rocker Plus | *Great sound and volume *Connects to many devices *Long lasting battery | *High price |
Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 | *Great sound and volume *Very durable and reliable *Great value | *Not many extra features |
For more information on where I pulled these pros and cons from check out the buyer’s guide and review sections below.
Bluetooth Speaker For Music Room Buyer’s Guide
In this section, I’ll go over what you should look for when buying a Bluetooth speaker. These features may be important to you as you look for the best speaker with Bluetooth to use.
Note: If you don’t want to get into the technical details, just use the comparison above and the reviews below to help you out.
Sound Quality
As music teachers, the first element we look for in a Bluetooth speaker is the sound quality, and rightfully so.
I’ve seen classroom teachers buy purely with budget in mind, and the speakers they got sounded terrible. Sure, the whole class could hear their voice and music, but it wasn’t particularly pleasant to listen to.
I knew when I looked for my Bluetooth speaker I would never buy one like that!
The speakers on this list all have decent to awesome sound quality. Look for the reviews below to see what users had to say about the sound quality.
Design
There are a lot of different Bluetooth speakers designs out there. But there are two main types you may want to check out and that appear on our list.
Handheld – Handheld Bluetooth speakers can still have a lot of power and sound quality, but usually not as much when compared with the bigger second design.
These speakers are typically more affordable than other options and simple to use. They miss out on some extra features, but usually have a long battery life.
Wheeled Portable – The wheeled portable Bluetooth speakers are still easy-to-use, but their larger size usually gives them more power and features. These usually cost more and have less battery life due to their bigger power needs.
In general, I would recommend a handheld option for those music teachers on a cart. But this isn’t strictly the case.
Note: The handheld speakers on our list are not the cheap options which are actually the size of a hand or smaller. Check out each product below for more details.
User-Friendliness
There’s a saying out there I’ve learned is true: “Technology is great and changes our world for the better…when it works.”
It never fails that you have your craziest class (often Kindergarten) when your speaker starts to act funny, or you push a button you didn’t mean to and now you have to quickly figure out how to get back on track.
This is where the user-friendliness factor makes a huge difference. An easy-to-use speaker will help you get back to where you need to be.
Look in the reviews for my experience with the speakers and what I’ve heard other users say.
Battery Life
One of the most frustrating feelings when you’re doing a movement activity with classical music is to hear the music cut off and the speaker makes its powering down noise.
This happens to every speaker no matter how long its battery life if you’re not careful. But a long battery life will make your days easier and stress-free.
No one wants to be hunting down outlets every couple of hours.
Dynamic Power
Personally, I can’t understand why anyone would even make a speaker that doesn’t fill up a small room, but there are plenty out there. Some just don’t have a good dynamic power.
All the options on this list have some strength to them, but they’re not all equal. You need to look at the places you’re using your speakers the most often.
At one of my schools, I’m in a relatively small room. I only need a speaker loud enough to fill the smaller space.
But then I’ve also taught in the cafeteria before, and this space needs bigger sounding speakers. In the reviews below, I’ll talk about how loud each speaker is.
Cost
Bluetooth speakers come in a wide range of price options. Some are dirt cheap and sound terrible.
Some are expensive and sound OK.
The ones on this list were picked for their balance of price and quality.
You’ll still need to balance what’s in your budget with what you need, but don’t give up. I picked a variety of price ranges just for this purpose.
I don’t mention exact pricing because it fluctuates constantly. The best way to check price is to click the button and see for yourself.
Reliability
If you’re going to drop the money for a speaker and use it all the time, you want a product that’s going to last years. Not every speaker will, but the ones on our list should be good for at least a few years.
The reliability of a speaker largely depends on how durable the design is, what quality the company is, and the materials the speaker is made from.
Some speakers have extra features for this reason which I’ll point out in the reviews below. Look for the pros and cons as well which are drawn from my own experience and what other users said about the speakers.
Review Of The Best Bluetooth Speakers For Music Classroom
In this section, we go over my picks for the best speakers. Look for the pros and cons drawn from what using the speaker is like.
I’ll mention the general price range of each speaker, but the price fluctuates over time. Click the buttons to check the current pricing information.
Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II
The Bose SoundLink is one of the higher price options, but it comes with quality features. Bose is one of the giants in the sound industry because of their high quality and reliable products.
Bose put in some of their best sound technology into a small package making this a powerful and small handheld Bluetooth speaker.
The soft touch silicone exterior helps make this easier to hold and therefore more secure. They also designed this to be waterproof.
I still wouldn’t drop it in a pool, but you at least don’t have to stress any time water comes near.
This speaker connects through Bluetooth 4.2 wireless and a 3.5 mm aux cable. Bluetooth pairing is quick and easy, especially with their voice prompts telling you exactly what to do.
The lithium-ion battery is rechargeable with USB connection and holds up to 8 hours of play time.
Another interesting feature Bose includes is an onboard microphone. This lets you call the speaker and use digital assistants such as Siri or Alexa.
Perhaps the most fun of all is the SoundLink pairing feature. If there are two of these near each other, they could pair together to provide a stereo/surround sound feature.
This feature also works with Bose Smart Home Family products.
Pros For This Product:
- Easy connection and bonus connection to other speakers
- Great sound quality
- Decent sound power
- Durable product
Cons For This Product:
- Higher price
- Won’t fill large rooms
JBL Flip5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
The JBL Flip5 is another handheld Bluetooth speaker. It typically comes in around the medium-high price range.
JBL’s products are trusted in the speaker community, and this product is no exception.
As with all the products on this list, it features a simple wireless Bluetooth connection. Connecting is as easy as pressing the Bluetooth button and then selecting the JBL on your phone or tablet.
The USB charger recharges the speaker quickly, and JBL claims a 12-hour play time before dying. In my experience with this speaker, I think it actually runs a little longer than this if you don’t leave it running the whole time.
JBL adds their IPX7 waterproofing to keep this speaker safe. The shape makes it easy to hold and also absorb drops decently well.
The sound quality is good, and the power coming from this speaker is surprising. You should be able to fill up a large classroom easily with this speaker.
There are no extra pairing features, but that may be OK with you. If all you need is a reliable and good sounding Bluetooth speaker, this may be perfect for your needs.
Pros For This Product:
- Great power
- Good sound quality
- Durable build
- Long battery life
Cons For This Product:
- Doesn’t link to other speakers
- Lose some sound quality at higher volumes
Pyle Portable Bluetooth PA Loudspeaker
The Pyle Bluetooth PA speaker system is a wheeled portable speaker system with a lot of volume at an affordable price.
As a PA set, this speaker system includes a wireless microphone on top of its Bluetooth playing capabilities. It features a 10” full range speaker and 3” tweeter.
All this means is that this system is capable of making a full range stereo sound from the single unit.
Pyle’s speaker is heavy to carry, but the extending handle and wheels make it easy to move around. The Bluetooth system allows you quickly pair up your phone or tablet device.
Each speaker has a rechargeable lithium battery which holds a good charge. The exact play time depends on which of the other features you’re also using, but you should be able to get a solid 5-6 hours out of it.
There’s also a power adapter if you would like to leave it plugged in to make sure it works where you are.
While maybe not of a ton of use in the music classroom, the speaker’s LED lights for making the music seem more like a party is fun. The music teachers I know that use this speaker like to turn on the lights for reward days and other such things.
This unit has a lot of compatibility including:
- Bluetooth Wireless
- Microphone input
- 3.5 mm jack
- USB connections
- FM radio
Pros For This Product:
- Affordable price
- Many connections; LED light extras
- Strong dynamic power
- Wireless mic included
Cons For This Product:
- Poor sound quality at higher volumes
- Heavy
ION Audio Block Rocker Plus
This ION audio Bluetooth speaker system is a premium version of the last product. For a higher price, you get all the features you’d want in a wheeled portable system with better quality all around.
The sound quality with this Bluetooth speaker is hard to beat with other Bluetooth systems. It features the following tech specs:
- 8 inch subwoofer
- Wide dispersion tweeter
- 100 watt peak amplifier
- Bass boost selector
Though this unit is heavy, it transports fairly easy with an adjustable handle, wheels, and two carrying handles.
A wired microphone comes with the speaker for good public speaking or karaoke.
The battery on the Audio Block Rocker is no joke. ION claims a 50-hour rechargeable battery, and in my experience with this speaker and based on what others have said, it comes close to that number.
A USB port charger is also available for charging your devices, and that long-lasting battery will let you with minimal drain on the speaker itself.
The Bluetooth is easy to connect to, but you also have the option of using a 3.5 mm jack or the AM/FM radio installed on the system.
Pros For This Product:
- Great sound quality
- Great sound volume
- Connects to many devices
- Long-lasting battery
Cons For This Product:
- High price
Ultimate Ears BOOM 2
Disclaimer: This is the Bluetooth speaker I currently use.
The Ultimate Ears Boom 2 (UE Boom 2) may have the best overall value and balance of price and sound quality.
The sound quality on this small unit is great, and the volume is powerful without sacrificing any of this quality. It’s UE’s focus on more bass sounds in the handheld speaker that makes the biggest difference.
UE made this speaker virtually indestructible with its waterproof and shockproof design.
The PartyUp feature allows for multiple Booms to partner up for surround sound.
UE claims up to 150 can connect at one time. I’ve never tried this many before, but I’ve had 3 hooked up easily. They work well.
The Bluetooth pairing is easy to do. All you do is press the Bluetooth button and then find the speaker on your device’s Bluetooth settings.
Its range is impressive, and the 15-hour battery life is a step above most other handheld models.
Pros For This Product:
- Great value
- Good sound quality and powerful volume
- Long battery life
- Durable product
Cons For This Product:
- Not many extra features
Where To Find Money For The Bluetooth Speakers
Buying a Bluetooth speaker is often more cost-effective than buying a whole speaker system, but it’s still going to cost you money. Where do you find the money?
There are many places to go to find the funds, but here are some of the more popular ones I and other music teachers have used.
From Your Classroom Budget
The first and most obvious way to buy a Bluetooth speaker is with your classroom budget. Depending on what you normally spend and what you have available, you may need to adjust the speaker choice into the more affordable options.
This is exactly what your classroom budget is for. But I’ve been in situations, as I’m sure many of you are in, where there is no budget at all.
What do you do then?
Read on for other ideas.
Asking Admin For Other Funds
My next step is just to ask my administration for the money. They may have some flexibility in their budgets to help you out.
When I go to my administration asking for something like this, I try to come prepared with the following information:
- Reasons this product will help students
- Quotes on prices for a few options
- Research on how long the speakers will last
- Explanation for why the current product isn’t cutting it
- A positive and polite attitude
You’d be surprised how often most admin are willing to work with you when you need something.
Going To Your PTO/PTA
If the first two don’t work, you may want to try asking your parent-teacher-organization or parent-teacher-association.
These groups typically meet once or twice per month, and their whole purpose is to provide help for the school.
Some are more active and more willing than others, but it’s still worth a shot.
I would first feel out a trusted parent who is involved with the association to see if this is something the groups would be interested in supporting.
Then, I would talk to the group’s leaders about how you should go about asking. In some cases, the trusted parent may also be one of the group’s leaders.
Then, I would go to their meeting prepared with much of the same information as when I asked my admin.
Note: It may not be the best idea to go to them all the time. Use the PTO sparingly, but they’re usually receptive to helping.
Fundraising
A lot of teachers out there have gotten into fundraising. There are a lot of different options out there although Donors Choose is an easy-to-use and popular one.
Just be sure you check your district’s policy towards this style of fundraising. In some cases, too much of this may void some grants they already receive.
Applying For Grants
It’s always possible to apply for some grants yourself. Whether you’re looking at federal grants or local grants, these can be a simple way to get some extra money for your classroom.
Grants usually take longer to get and have more paperwork attached to them. So you may not want to use them for something as (relatively) small as a Bluetooth speaker.
But if you’re in dire need of the money, then this could be an option.
Buy It Yourself
Let’s be realistic; it may be fastest and easiest just to go out and buy in yourself.
None of like dropping our own money on classroom needs, but sometimes it happens. It’s part of the teaching package unfortunately.
Personally, I’m fairly adamant about not spending my own money on items the school should provide, but a Bluetooth speaker is one I felt more comfortable buying myself.
For one, it’s cheaper than many of my other classroom materials. For another, I use my Bluetooth speaker at home all the time!
Conclusion/Verdict
I hope you found this guide to the best Bluetooth speakers for music classrooms helpful. Any of these may be perfect for your needs; you just need to look at them and pick for yourself.
If you want my opinion, the Ultimate Ears Boom 2 provides great sound quality, portability, and affordability. But this is the one I chose.
Another great option for a more powerful unit is the ION Audio Rock Blocker Plus. This one is tougher to lug around, but you get even more power and usability out of it.
Do you have a favorite Bluetooth speaker? Drop a comment down below!
