Sure, Bluetooth speakers are awesome to have for picturesque beach trips, camping weekends, and other outdoor adventures. But they’re just as good to have for some sprinkler time in the yard with the kiddo, or for blasting some tunes or a podcast while you make food. No matter the use cases you have in mind, now’s a good time to pick up one of the best compact Bluetooth speakers. Now through July 17th, JBL’s Flip 7 is on sale for $89.95 ($70 off) at Woot with a 90-day warranty, marking a new all-time low.

JBL Flip 7

Where to Buy:

• $149.99 $89.95 at Woot

Despite being about the size of a water bottle, the portable speaker delivers full, clear sound. It’s also built for just about anywhere, with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and the ability to survive drops from up to a meter onto concrete. Plus, JBL includes an  interchangeable carrying strap and carabiner attachment, making it easy to clip onto a backpack or carry with a finger. Rounding things out, the speaker lasts up to 14 hours on a charge, with Playtime Boost mode extending battery life by another two hours when you need it.

It also includes a few extras for a better listening experience. You can pair the Flip 7 with multiple compatible JBL speakers for bigger sound, while JBL’s AI Sound Boost feature is designed to reduce distortion at higher volumes. It also supports lossless audio over USB-C with compatible devices and services, allowing for clearer, more detailed playback than Bluetooth.

Some more ways to save:

• The Nothing CMF Buds Pro 2 are on sale for $39 ($10 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and directly from Nothing, which is just $2 shy of their best price to date. The affordable wireless earbuds boast active noise cancellation along with multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance. The charging case also features a customizable “Smart Dial,” which lets you adjust volume or switch listening modes without pulling out your phone. Other perks include Google’s Fast Pair, a low-latency gaming mode, and a Find My Earbuds feature in Nothing’s companion app. Android users can also take advantage of LDAC for higher-resolution audio, though the codec isn’t natively supported on iPhones.
• The SwitchBot Bot is on sale for $20.99 ($9 off) at Amazon, which is just a few cents shy of its best price of the year. Amazon is also offering the USB-C rechargeable version for $25.99, if you’d prefer not to rely on disposable batteries. The gadget attaches via adhesive next to a button or switch and can press it on your behalf, letting you add smarts to traditional devices ranging from light switches to coffee makers, garage doors, and more. When paired with one of SwitchBot’s hubs (a separate purchase), you can add voice commands, control the Bot from anywhere, create schedules, and automations. Read our review of the SwitchBot Bot Rechargeable.
• The 16-foot Philips Hue Flux Outdoor Lightstrip is back down to $119.99 ($30 off) at Amazon, matching the all-time low it briefly hit during Prime Day last month. The weatherproof strip can brighten up your patio, porch, or backyard with millions of colors with support for customizable scenes, lighting effects, and voice control via Amazon Alexa.

OpenAI's first device is set to be a smart speaker that lets you talk with ChatGPT, according to a report from Bloomberg. The device apparently won't have a screen, but will use a camera and additional sensors to "understand" your environment.

The report comes just days after Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI that accused the AI company of stealing hardware secrets. OpenAI, in a new statement on Tuesday, said that it is "not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit."

Sources tell Bloomberg that OpenAI's device will also feature a rechargeable battery that will allow users to carry it with them. It will offer smart home contro …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Marshall announced new versions of its Acton and Stanmore Bluetooth speakers today with upgraded tweeters, bass ports, and internal designs that improve their ability to fill a room with sound. Both the Acton IV and Stanmore IV replace their four-year-old predecessors with a new focus on repairability. Parts including knobs, feet, and the speakers' front grills bearing the iconic Marshall logo are replaceable should they get damaged.

The smaller Acton IV, featuring a 4-inch woofer and a pair of 0.75-inch tweeters, is available starting today for $299.99 through Marshall's online store. The Stanmore IV, which has a similar driver setup but w …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Marshall has announced a new version of its stylish Stockwell Bluetooth speaker, putting a new focus on repairability. The Stockwell III, the brand's first update to this model since early 2019, features a similar design to its predecessor with a large carrying handle and speakers that pump sound in all directions, not just out the front like the iconic Marshall amps that inspired it. It will be available for purchase starting on August 4th through the company's online store and Costco for $249.99.

Battery life has been doubled from 20 hours to over 40 for the Stockwell III, but the speaker's overall potential life has been prolonged even f …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Whether you’re considering starting a Sonos speaker setup, or adding to an existing group, the Sonos Era 100 is worth picking up. The compact, capable smart speaker is currently marked down to $189 ($30 off) at a variety of retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, and directly from Sonos. If you want an even lower price, Sonos is selling refurbished Era 100 speakers for just $134. They come with fresh accessories and packaging, and sport the same one-year warranty as its new speakers.

Sonos Era 100

The Era 100 is Sonos’s most affordable in-home smart speaker. Offering pleasant sound at a relatively compact size, it improves upon the prior Sonos One with stereo audio, line-in support, and Bluetooth support. Read our review.

Where to Buy:

• $219 $189 at Amazon
• $219 $189 at Sonos
• $219 $189 at Best Buy

The wireless speaker has a rich, detailed sound profile, with room-filling audio despite its small size. You might be able to improve the sound further with the Sonos Trueplay feature, which uses either your phone or the speaker’s built-in microphone to automatically tune it to your space. The Era 100 can easily connect with other speakers in the Sonos ecosystem for multi-room play, even with different Sonos models.

The Era 100 has expanded functionality from previous entry-level Sonos speakers, adding in Bluetooth and USB-C wired audio, as well as improved onboard controls. While the speaker features built-in voice assistant support for both Sonos and Alexa, you can flip a switch on its back to cut power to the microphone.

Read our full Sonos Era 100 review.

Other deals to consider

• The Google Nest Doorbell is one of our favorite video doorbells, and the wired version is currently marked down at Amazon to just $140 ($40 off). This doorbell has fairly sharp 960 x 1280 video quality, notifications for people and packages (a Google Home Premium subscription can provide more detailed notifications, including familiar face recognition), and full integration with many other Google products. The wired model has sharper video and faster response times than the battery-powered version. Read our review.
• Humble has a 2K Sports bundle full of games redeemable on Steam.. If you spend at least $10, you’ll get NBA 2K26 plus a heap of the game’s virtual currency. Pledging $25 or more will also get you PGA Tour 2K25, TopSpin 2K25, and Olli Olli World Rad Edition. Proceeds go to Covenant House.
• The Technics EAH-AZ80 wireless earbuds have a natural warmth and expansive soundstage that rivals some of our other favorite picks. They also sport excellent active noise-canceling and three-way multipoint pairing, but their high launch price didn’t do them any favors. However, at the discounted price of $147.99 ($52 off) at Amazon, they’re a much more appealing pick. Read our review.