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The Best Home Speakers

Last updated on May 8, 2020

We looked at the top 9 Home Speakers and dug through the reviews from 14 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Home Speakers.

Best Home Speakers

Our Review Process

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Setting up a quality set of speakers in your home can really add to your entertainment experience. In fact, some speakers make you feel like you’re attending a live concert or sitting in on a movie at the theater. With so many different home speaker models on the market, however, it can be hard to narrow down your choices.

Determining where you plan on using the home speakers is the first step in reducing the number of speakers you need to review. For example, if you want to set the speakers up outside, you can immediately eliminate all the speakers that are made for indoor use only. You may come across a model, like the Dual Electronics 3-Way Indoor And Outdoor Speakers, 1-Pair, that actually works well in all climates. The important thing to remember is that outdoor home speakers need to be weatherproof and coated with a UV protectant.

Next, take a good hard look at the space you have for the home speakers. If you don’t have a lot of room, go with something like the Sound Appeal Bookshelf Speaker Pair, 6.5-Inch. This set is on the smaller side and fits in the cabinets of your entertainment center. They also come with the option of being mounted on the wall. You can use the included eye hooks to install the speaker or a set of Aeon speaker mounts instead.

If space isn’t an issue, you can opt for a set of home speakers that stand on the floor. For example, the Polk Audio 150 Watt Floor Standing Home Speakers can be placed on either side of your television to give you a surround sound experience. They are designed to send sound to every corner in the room, so grab your favorite movie, a bag of popcorn and a few friends and let the fun begin.

Bathrooms, bedrooms and dorm rooms would do better with a compact home speaker. The Bose Smart Home Speaker, With Amazon Alexa is an excellent model, as it emits 360-degree sound. It’s small enough to fit on a shelf, end table, work desk or countertop and is compatible with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Apple’s AirPlay 2. This model also gives you the added bonus of a built-in virtual assistant in the form of Alexa. Alexa is well versed in both English and Spanish.

Our Picks For The Top Home Speakers

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Best for Home Theaters

Polk Audio 150 Watt Floor Standing Home Speakers

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Polk Audio

150 Watt Floor Standing Home Speakers

Compatible with most home theater AV receivers, these standing speakers turn your living room into a movie theater. As the two bass radiators work in conjunction with the main woofer, they extend the sound to reach the farthest walls in the room. Set up is also a breeze, so you'l have these speakers up and ready to go in just minutes.

Overall Take

Powerful SoundIf you're looking to provide your family with a theater experience at home, go with these standing speakers.

Pros
" Slim Cabinet, Small Foot Print, Excellent Bass, Smooth Highs, Detailed Mid-Range, Tremendous value."
Cons
"Speakers require the rest of the sound system for the best audio results."
 Outdoor-Friendly

Dual Electronics 3-Way Indoor And Outdoor Speakers, 1-Pair

Dual Electronics

3-Way Indoor And Outdoor Speakers, 1-Pair

Whether you need to amplify sound in your living room or out on your back deck, these indoor/outdoor speakers are the way to go. This attractive set of speakers is weatherproof and small enough to fit on a shelf. It even comes with a hassle-free 1-year warranty that covers both parts and labor.

Overall Take

Versatile PickSince these indoor/outdoor speakers are UV-resistant and weatherproof, you can use them virtually anywhere.

Pros
" They shouldn’t be too hard to mount and set up. It’s possible to find warranties that last several years or even a lifetime, but that’s generally reserved for higher end speakers which will be more expensive."
 Upgrade Pick

Bose Smart Home Speaker With Built-In Amazon Alexa

Bose

Smart Home Speaker, With Amazon Alexa

Don't let the tiny size of this smart home speaker fool you. This compact speaker packs a powerful punch with its 360-degree sound. It's also compatible with everything from your home Wi-Fi to Apple's AirPlay 2.

Overall Take

Compact Yet PowerfulUse this smart home speaker alone or with other Bose smart speakers and soundbars.

Pros
" The Bose Home Speaker 300 is slightly larger than the third-generation Echo but sounds significantly better, offering a wider soundstage, more detail, and bass you can feel. It’s a good-sounding small speaker, capable of filling a room quite easily. In..."
Cons
"Poor detail, Timing is underwhelming, Lack of dynamic range, Cluttered and confused."

Fluance Bipolar Surround Sound Speakers, 1-Pair

Fluance

Bipolar Surround Sound Speakers, 1-Pair

Overall Take

Pros
" It is durable. They are lightweight and easy to carry. They are easy to maintain and clean. The sound is free of all distortions."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
16

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the home speakers available to purchase.
9

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

14

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: New York Times Wirecutter, What HiFi, Techsounded, Home Theater Review, BestReviews.

37,890

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 9 Home Speakers and also dug through the reviews from 14 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Home Speakers.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Dual Electronics 3-Way Indoor And Outdoor Speakers, 1-Pair

Our Expert Score

0.0
1 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.4
3,821 user reviews

Our Take

Whether you need to amplify sound in your living room or out on your back deck, these indoor/outdoor speakers are the way to go. This attractive set of speakers is weatherproof and small enough to fit on a shelf. It even comes with a hassle-free 1-year warranty that covers both parts and labor.

What other experts liked

They shouldn’t be too hard to mount and set up. It’s possible to find warranties that last several years or even a lifetime, but that’s generally reserved for higher end speakers which will be more expensive.
- MakeItSoundGreat

What other experts didn't like

One pitfall of the 43s specifically is the 100Hz response range floor, which is quite high. It’s especially important for outdoor speakers to have a low response range floor (we like to see 60Hz or lower) so that they can produce sufficient bass, which doesn’t carry as well in the...
- MakeItSoundGreat

What to Look For

  • Always handle the home speakers with care, as dropping them can easily break the inside drivers, even if they are made using a heavy-duty ABS construction material.
  • Not all home speakers come with the hardware and mounting equipment required to set them up. Check this before you buy, so you know if those accessories are included in the price.
  • While you can mix and match speaker brands, it isn’t a good idea. The sound will be different, and you won’t get the premium sound experience you’re for.
  • It’s important to consider the items in the room will reflect the sound coming out of your home speakers. This way, you can add or remove items to get the best sound. For example, a set of curtains in front of your windows will absorb sound. Windows without curtains reverberate sound.
  • To extend the life of your home speakers, you’re going to want to make sure they are cleaned from time to time. If the speakers are made of wood, you can use a product like Murphy’s Oil Soap to clean them. Other surfaces can be wiped down with a rag that has been moistened with dish soap and water. Always dry your speakers immediately after cleaning them, as excess water can soak into porous surfaces and cause damage. Of course, you’ll also want to dust the speakers on a weekly basis if you have time. You can use a dry dust cloth or a duster wand to accomplish this.
  • Never use harsh soaps or chemicals to clean your speakers. These substances will not only damage the construction material but may also discolor it as well.
  • Protect your home speaker investment by opting for a company that provides a product warranty. You may end up with a hassle-free year manufacturer’s warranty that covers parts and labor, or a 3-year limited product warranty that guarantees your speakers arrive free from damage or defect.
  • Both construction and special features affect the overall price of home speakers. The Dual Electronics 3-Way Indoor And Outdoor Speakers, 1-Pair is one of the most affordable sets of home speakers on the market. The Sound Appeal Bookshelf Speaker Pair, 6.5-Inch is more moderately priced, while the Polk Audio 150 Watt Floor Standing Home Speakers and the Bose Smart Home Speaker, With Amazon Alexa are on the higher end of the price scale.

Home Speaker Rankings

1. Polk Audio 150 Watt Floor Standing Home Speakers

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 6

3. Bose Smart Home Speaker With Built-In Amazon Alexa

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 6

4. Fluance Bipolar Surround Sound Speakers, 1-Pair

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 5

5. Sound Appeal Bookshelf Speaker Pair, 6.5-Inch

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 3

7. Yamaha 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 4

8. Pioneer 130 Watt Floor Standing Crossover Loudspeaker

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 4

More to Explore

Before Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877, the only way to listen to music in your home was to have a family member sing or play a musical instrument. The phonograph allowed a person to record music and then play it back at another time. Later, Edison created and sold recordings for people to enjoy in their living rooms.

The ability to listen to music at home grew with the invention of the radio, which was outfitted with electronically powered speakers. During the 1920s and 30s, people used the radio like we use our televisions today. They listened to news, music programs and entertainment broadcasts over the AM and FM radio waves.

After 8-tracks in 1966, stereo systems became popular. These systems incorporated speakers, an amplifier, a radio, a record player and either a cassette tape play or a CD player all in one. The 80s produced the boombox, which thanks to its two battery-powered speakers was completely portable. Music could be enjoyed in the kitchen while preparing a meal and then in the bedroom while winding down from a long day.

Technology has greatly advanced since the 80s. Today, we have speakers that can be connected to home sound systems, wireless Internet and even smartphone apps.

More to explore