Bluetooth Speaker That Is Portable and Has Wi-Fi with Google Assistant under $200???

wombat81 on 24/06/2022 - 10:18
Last edited 24/06/2022 - 11:04

Hi all. I didn't think a device like this would be so hard to find. I basically want something like a UE Boom than can play music over BT, but also acts like a Google home speaker where you can ask it to stream music over wifi via Spotify or whatever.

JBL used to make such a device (JBL Link Portable), but it no longer exists. The closest I can find is the JBL Link Music, but it's not portable.

Any recommendations?

Thanks

Edit: It looks like the Sonos Roam will do the job, but the $300 price tag is a turn off…

Electrical & Electronics Bluetooth Speaker

Comments

  • newbo on 24/06/2022 - 10:28

    Sonos Roam, but you can't play the same music stream on both Sonos speakers and other brands of speakers. Expensive also, $299. But if you have some tgg credits laying around it can lessen the pain.

    • wombat81 on 24/06/2022 - 10:42

      Thanks, yeah I just came across that. Really didn't want to spend that much…

      Looks like the Harman Kardon Citation One mkII or Citation 200 is another option, but the price is the same. On sale at HN, but no stock anywhere.

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 10:49

        HK own JBL, in case you don't know.
        Plenty of Citations around

      • AndyC1 on 24/06/2022 - 10:55

        Then update the post to include that you do not want to spend more than $xxx.

        • wombat81 on 24/06/2022 - 11:04
          -1

          sorry dad. will do.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 10:45

    You could build your own, using a Rapberry Pi. You could probably get away with an old unit or a Pi zero.

    • wombat81 on 24/06/2022 - 10:49

      Interesting looking project. Don't think I'm up for it right now, though. Thanks.

  • wirelesscord on 24/06/2022 - 10:56

    I'm a huge Sonos fan, but the Roam is definitely the weakest of its lineup - and borderline not worth it compared to others in the market in terms of sound quality.

    But I think your request for Wi-Fi and Google Assistant, the Sonos might be your best bet.
    It might be worth checking out some of the Bose options as well though.

    • wombat81 on 24/06/2022 - 11:04

      I've had a look at the cheaper bose options, but none seem to support BT and wifi.

  • mooney on 24/06/2022 - 11:09
    +2

    I have a battery base for an original Google Home (air freshener version) which works great. Also have battery base for Home mini, but sound quality mightn’t be up to snuff.

    Other than that Sonos Move is the high end option that gives you what you need, better sound than Roam. But its costly.

    Similar price to Roam but better sound is Audio Pro Addon C3. I have this and love the sound. Doesnt have google assistant, but handles bluetooth and music streaming services really well. Also it looks great.

  • Brian McGee on 24/06/2022 - 11:14

    The JBL Link Music Smart is wireless according to the JB-HIFI website.

    DETAILS
    Connected home device type: Smart speakers
    Wireless: Yes
    Bluetooth: v4.2
    Smart home ecosystem: Google Home
    Voice Control: Yes
    Virtual Assistant Built-in: Google Assistant
    Built-in microphone: Yes
    Manufacturer's warranty: 1 Year

    • wombat81 on 24/06/2022 - 12:08

      Unfortunately not portable.

  • Croc2 on 24/06/2022 - 12:34
    +2

    chucking a battery pack on a google home might suit?

  • spackbace on 24/06/2022 - 12:57
    +2

    JBL Link 20?

    While it's not perfect, it ticks the boxes if you can find it for the right price.

    This was the best price I could find but you could find better I'm sure

    • wombat81 on 24/06/2022 - 13:37

      Yeah I had looked at those but they are discontinued. It's a gift so I was hoping for something from a major retailer. But thanks.

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 24/06/2022 - 13:39

        Looks like a HK Citation Mk2 then at this stage.

      • M00Cow on 09/07/2022 - 15:23

        Harman Kardon Citation One mkII is $149 at HN now

        https://www.harveynorman.com.au/harman-kardon-citation-one-m…

        I was looking for something similar but possibly splash proof. The JBL Charge 5 is $135 at TGGcomercial looks.good

        • wombat81 on 09/07/2022 - 15:27

          Yeah I ended up with a JBL Bluetooth speaker paired with a Google nest mini. The charge 5 won't have wifi either, if it matters for you.

          • M00Cow on 09/07/2022 - 15:42

            @wombat81: You're tight. I was looking at a comparison website which said it did…doh!

          • M00Cow on 09/07/2022 - 16:47

            @wombat81: Oh well i got the HK Citation Mk2 for $133 at Allphones on ebay. Perfect!

  • Tonyh87 on 02/07/2022 - 00:53

    Blueant x3. I havent actually heard it, but the reviews are good, cost $199, portable, can use assistant through your phone, and has microphone to be able to answer phone calls.
    https://blueant.com.au/collections/speakers/products/x3

    • M00Cow on 09/07/2022 - 10:23
      +1

      The bugger is that there's no wifi.

      • Tonyh87 on 09/07/2022 - 16:05

        True

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