A good set of home speakers can transform a room or kick off a party; a really decent portable speaker makes a barbecue or picnic go with a bang. But what are the best discounts and sales right now on wireless speakers, soundbars and other home audio kit?
This month there are some brilliant offers to be had – especially this Christmas. In this regularly updated article we round up the best deals and discounts currently available on speakers.
For a wider look at the best tech discounts on offer, see Best Apple deals.
Best speaker deals right now
Best speaker discounts: What to look for
As with virtually all tech purchases, it isn’t possible to offer a one-size-fits-all recommendation; the right deal for you depends on your requirements. But here’s what you should be thinking about:
Sound quality: Obviously the top priority for most users, this will also be the single biggest factor in determining price. If you’re building a multi-speaker setup, consider spending big on a really top-quality speaker for the living room, while opting for a less expensive model in the kitchen or bedroom.
There are particular features that affect this, such as ‘360-degree audio’, which makes for good sound throughout a room rather than isolated to a sweet spot. And committed audiophiles will want to check that desired compression standards are supported, such as aptX.
Location: Where do you plan to use your speaker? A soundbar will work well with your TV, while sub-woofers give a bass boost for parties.
Some more portable speakers include rechargeable batteries so you can carry them from room to room or into the garden. If that’s what you’re looking for, see how the battery life compares to rivals.
Connectivity: Will you plug the source device (if there is one) directly into the speaker? Make sure it has the right ports. Or skip this hassle by opting for a wireless model (in which case AirPlay 2 compatibility will be helpful for an Apple household).
Streaming: Do you need the speaker to support a streaming service such as Spotify or Apple Music? Check it’s compatible. Many will only work with a limited number of services that are built into the manufacturer’s controller app.
Smart features: Some speakers can respond to voice commands, but the actions they can perform (playing a song, searching the internet, controlling smart home functions, buying items online) vary enormously. See our guide to the best smart speakers for advice on this.
Price: You should be able to get a decent wireless speaker for under £100 and an excellent one for £200. Beyond that we get into the realm of premium audio and/or smart features. To be honest, though, if you’re an audiophile looking for crystal-clear audio there is almost no limit on the price of home stereo setups.
You can get detailed advice in our dedicated buying guides. We have group tests of wireless speakers and multi-room speakers.
Where to find speaker deals
Popular deals can be short-lived, so your best bet would be to check the following retailers regularly.
Best speaker deals
Author: David Price, Editor
David has loved the iPhone since covering the original 2007 launch; later his obsession expanded to include iPad and Apple Watch. He offers advice to owners (and prospective owners) of these devices.