6 Best Bluetooth Speakers With a Microphone

Bluetooth speakers are one of the most versatile gadgets. These wireless speakers are portable and also bundle a slew of features. For instance, some Bluetooth speakers are waterproof, while others deliver loud audio for parties. Some even let you take calls and attend online meetings using a microphone on a Bluetooth speaker.

Until a few years ago, wireless Bluetooth speakers with microphones were a common thing. Things have changed lately. A few speaker makers no longer include microphone to reduce the price. For instance, the new launches like the JBL Flip 5 or the UE Wonderboom do not have a built-in microphone.

Luckily, there are still a few Bluetooth speakers that come with built-in mics. These mics pick up your voice well so that you can carry on your phone calls. But before we check such speakers, take a look at,

• Here are the best Blue­tooth speak­ers with LED lighting
• Want to party outdoors? Check out the best outdoor speakers for your pool area.
• If you’re on a tight budget, look at the best Bluetooth speakers for under $100.

Let’s get to the Bluetooth speakers with built-in microphones now.

1. Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen

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The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Bluetooth speaker is the perfect pick if you want many nifty features in a small package. It’s small, hockey puck-shaped and is ultra-portable. At the same time, the aluminum chassis brings home a premium look. More importantly, the Beosound A1 sounds great, and you get your hands on nuanced audio with rich and deep bass.

The Beosound A1 also has other tricks up its sleeves. For instance, it has a waterproof rating of IP67, a decent battery life of around 18 hours, and it supports Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec. However, the feature that separates it from its peers is its support for Amazon Alexa.

Thanks to the Alexa integration, you get an array of 3 mics. These ensure that the speaker can hear your commands even when it’s playing songs or podcasts. Plus, the three-microphone array transmits clear conversations. The mic’s noise isolation is on point and ensures minimal noise across. Some users had good experience while using it for online Zoom meetings and calls.

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 speaker offers decent battery life and USB-C charging. The folks at Tech Advisor found the battery dropping to about 90% after 6 hours of use after being connected to a Windows PC.

If you want a speaker that belts out quality audio and also lets you take up calls with ease, then this one is a worthy pick. However, note that the control buttons are placed at the lower edge and can be a little difficult to see.

2. Jabra Speak 710 MS

Jabra Speak 710 MS

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If carrying on phone conversations and online meetings is your foremost priority, look at the Jabra Speak 710. This is a premium speakerphone with an omnidirectional mic that can seamlessly pick up sound and cancels out the background noise for clear voice transmission.

Like the one above, the Speak 710 is small, which makes it portable. In addition, this Bluetooth speaker with a microphone has a small stand at the back, allowing you to angle it toward yourself during calls and video meetings. At the same time, it delivers a clear voice, thanks to the built-in HD Voice feature. This Bluetooth speaker has a dedicated dongle if you want to connect it to your computer.

It also delivers immersive audio for music. However, though it features a premium look, it doesn’t look as trendy as its mainstream Bluetooth speakers, such as the Sony SRS-XB12 or the new JBL Go 3.

That said, you get a fairly good battery life of 8 hours. It’s a perfect pick as a business-grade Bluetooth speaker with a microphone and doesn’t compromise on the audio quality.

3. Sony SRS-XB23 Wireless Portable Speaker

Sony SRS-XB23 Wireless Portable Speaker

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The Sony SRS-XB23 Bluetooth speaker has many nifty features such as Bluetooth 5.0 and Sony’s proprietary Bluetooth codec—LDAC. That said, this one is a conventional Bluetooth speaker, which means you can listen to your favorite songs in all its glory. And staying true to its tagline, it delivers bass-heavy audio.

One of the first things that will catch your eye is its new design. The SRS-XB23 has two passive radiators at the top and bottom. The IP67 waterproof rating wards off your worries about water and dust damage.

But, this speaker is for entertainment purposes only. You may take the occasional call or meeting but, it’s not meant for serious office use. The lack of dedicated voice-enhancing features means you won’t get the same clarity as the Jabra Speak 710. Still, it gets the work done.

The battery life is decent. On a full charge (and listening at moderate volume) will get you around 12 hours of playback.

4. eMeet Luna

eMeet Luna

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The eMeet Luna is a speakerphone designed for the home office for those looking for a dedicated speaker for calls and meetings. Like the Jabra speaker, the eMeet Luna has 3 mic array and can pick up voice and sound from all around. This one does a good job of picking up voices from a little distance as well.

This speaker’s microphone cancels out the noise and hums of fans and printers. At the same time, it projects a clear and noise-free sound.

When it comes to connection, it has a versatile setup. Apart from the Bluetooth connection, it lets you connect via a USB-C dongle and AUX connection. Plus, you can also daisy chain other eMeet speakers if the need arises.

However, when listening to songs or watching videos, you might not get the same quality. That’s because the speaker highlights voice during calls and suppresses the bass and highs in the songs. So you may feel the lack of bass a little apparent. It’ll easily let you listen to your favorite tracks.

Lastly, the buttons are at the top, which makes all the controls easily accessible.

5. Tribit Stormbox Micro

Tribit Stormbox Micro

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The Tribit Stormbox Micro is the most affordable speaker on this list. It does a good job of delivering punchy and bass-heavy audio, irrespective of its size. Furthermore, this one is a small pocket-sized speaker, making it easy to carry. It weighs just about 9.9 ounces.

As noted earlier, it delivers punchy audio. But as with certain speakers, the audio distorts a little if you crank up the volume. But if you compare it with other similarly-sized speakers, such as the JBL’s Go lineup, the Stormbox Micro delivers better audio.

The microphone is not the best in the market, especially compared to the ones above. However, for the price, it gets the job done.

Though it has USB-C charging, you will have to compromise on the battery life. On a single charge, it lasts about 8 hours on moderate volume.

6. Anker PowerConf S3

Anker PowerConf S3

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If you’re specifically looking for a Bluetooth speaker with a microphone primarily for calls, Anker has you covered. The main advantage of the PowerConf S3 is that you get six mics leading to superb audio input. It’s also helpful when multiple people speak from different parts of a room.

Multiple mics are beneficial in several ways. A group meeting with several members becomes much simpler since it picks up all voices. Another advantage is that the mics can capture ambient noise and emphasize the voice of the primary speaker. The PowerConf S3 is portable enough carry with you to your office and back home for some music.

Anker’s algorithms ensure that people talking from different areas of the room are heard equally. It does so by adjusting the volume as per the sound falling on the mics. You get buttons at the center of the speaker to control the volume, skip tracks, and even mute/unmute the mic.

Thousands of reviews say that the Anker PowerConf S3 is one of the best Bluetooth speakers with a mic. The audio quality is great, and the battery also lasts a long time.

FAQs for Bluetooth Speaker With a Microphone

Get Your Voice Heard

If the speakers on your smartphone or computer aren’t powerful enough, it’s always best to pick up a Bluetooth speaker with a microphone. That delivers better audio output and some speakers with a sophisticated mic system also let you attend calls.