Although many manufacturers are eliminating the 3.5 mm aux input on new bluetooth speakers, it is still possible to find an excellent portable speaker with an aux port.
Some of our favorites are new models that were designed in recent years with a calculated decision to keep the aux input. Others on the list are older-model speakers that have seen the aux port eliminated in their newer generations.
When buying a speaker in 2022, we usually demand excellent sound quality in addition to modern features like bluetooth, adjustable equalizers, app-compatibility, and wireless pairing or a party mode. Sadly, many of these feature-rich speakers have eliminated the 3.5 mm aux input.
Here at Swift Moves, we have been reviewing and keeping up to date on speakers for years. Continue reading for our list of top portable speakers with aux input.
Portable Speaker with Aux Input: Top Options
JBL Xtreme 3
The Xtreme 2 also has an aux input and can usually be found for a lower price. So if you need a more budget-friendly option, this is worth considering.
JBL Xtreme 3 is one of our favorite bluetooth speakers. With an MSRP of more than $300, it isn’t the cheapest speaker on our list. But the sound quality is exceptional and Xtreme 3 provides more bass and volume than most portable speakers.
Simply put, you won’t find a budget speaker that can compete with Xtreme 3.
This speaker has everything you would expect from a quality bluetooth speaker, like USB-C charging, good battery life, and IP67 waterproofing. But it adds some features that aren’t found on many other competitors, like built-in clips and a carrying strap, as well as a power bank feature which can be used to charge a cell phone or other device using the battery of the Xtreme 3.
If you can spend a few hundred dollars on a quality portable speaker, the JBL Xtreme 3 should absolutely be on your list.
In addition to the 3.5 mm aux port, Xtreme 3 also features the updated Bluetooth 5.1. So you have multiple methods of connecting to another device.
See here for our full review of the JBL Xtreme 3, as well as a comparison to the older generation Xtreme 2.
JBL Charge 4
An updated version of this speaker, the Charge 5, is now available. However, the Charge 5 doesn’t have an aux port. As such, the Charge 4 is the best iteration of the Charge series to meet the qualifications for inclusion on this list.
The Charge 4 has excellent sound quality which is comparable to the Xtreme 3 listed above. In side-by-side testing, the Xtreme 3 provides more volume and a bit more clarity. However, considering the price difference, Charge 4 outperforms the Xtreme 3 when it comes to value.
Simply put, Charge 4 provides an exceptional blend of sound quality and budget-friendliness. It is more expensive than the Flip 4 (discussed below), but it makes up for the price difference with much improved sound quality and performance. And even though it doesn’t sound quite as great as the Xtreme 3 (above), the retail price is much more approachable.
Like the Xtreme 3, Charge 4 has a power bank feature. This means you can use the speaker to charge a cell phone or other device, thus you will have one less charger to carry with you. The device is also IPX7 waterproof rated and lasts for up to 20 hours on a single charge.
JBL Flip 4
Similar to the above JBL Charge series, there are newer and more updated iterations of the Flip. JBL Flip 5 and 6 have both been released, but JBL chose to eliminate the aux port. So, the Flip 4 is our top choice from the series which also includes an aux port.
The downside with Flip 4 is that it is now dated (by multiple generations), so you may have to look on the used market. The upside is that you can save some money buying a used speaker, or better yet you may be able to find closeout pricing on a new model.
Any time you buy a used speaker, just be aware that there is no way of knowing how many times the battery has been drained and charged. So, it is possible that battery life is very limited when you buy a speaker that has been used for a few years.
JBL Flip 4 is an excellent little bluetooth speaker. Sound quality is solid for the price. The design is simple and unspectacular, but also easy to grip and easy to operate. If you are looking to stay under $100, the Flip 4 is hard to beat.
Bose SoundLink Revolve II
The Bose SoundLink series has produced some excellent bluetooth speakers, including the newest entry (SoundLink Flex) which was considered the best bluetooth speaker of 2021 by many tech reviewers. Sadly, the SoundLink Flex lacks a 3.5 mm aux input. But we still have two Bose SoundLink products on the list of best bluetooth speakers with aux input.
Revolve II performs well, with excellent sound quality, battery life, and a solid design. However, some parts of the speaker feel dated — like micro USB (rather than USB-C) charging and Bluetooth 4.1.
Available for less than $250, the Revolve II gives you the Bose signature sound and access to the Bose Connect app. The speaker is also compatible with party mode and stereo mode if you own multiple speakers. For a complete review of both the SoundLink Revolve II and the SoundLink Revolve+ II (discussed below), click here.
Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II
SoundLink Revolve+ II is a larger, more powerful speaker than the Revolve II. It can provide more power and higher volume, with less distortion at high volumes. The Revolve+ II will cost ~$100 more, though.
Like the Revolve II, the Revolve+ II uses a round design to produce 360 degree sound. And along with the larger device, you also get 17 hours of battery life versus 13 on the Revolve II.
Micro USB charging and Bluetooth 4.1 make the device feel dated, but it still provides excellent features like Bose Connect access, party mode and stereo mode, and of course the Bose signature sound.
If you are able to spend upwards of $300 for a quality bluetooth speaker, the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II is an excellent option.
Anker Soundcore Motion+
For a full write-up of the
If your max budget is closer to $100 than $300, consider the Motion+. In addition to the aux input, Motion+ has IPX7 waterproofing, true wireless stereo pairing, and provides a “hi-fi on a budget” sound quality which is aptX compatible.
With the newer Bluetooth 5.0 and a customizable EQ, this speaker feels more modern than some of the other products on our list. Rather than having to find an old generation of speaker that still has an aux port, Anker
Buying Guide & Considerations
Searching for a portable speaker with an aux port in 2022 can be a challenge.
There are many previous generations of speakers from the early part of the 2010s that have a 3.5 mm aux input, but these really aren’t what the modern user is searching for. Purchasing a speaker from the used market is always risky, since batteries tend to wear out over time, and most bluetooth speakers don’t have replaceable batteries. And besides, many of these speakers lack newer features like true wireless stereo pairing, app-compatibility, and modern versions of bluetooth.
Instead, what we are looking for are recent speaker models from reputable manufacturers that have chosen to keep the aux port.
Some products on the above list, like the JBL Xtreme 3 and
Other products on the list have been replaced by newer generations which don’t have the aux port. But these products, like the JBL Flip 4 and Charge 4, are such high-quality speakers that they are still worth purchasing even though there are newer iterations available.
Final Thoughts
Even in 2022, it is possible to find a quality bluetooth speaker with an aux input. The above listed speakers are high-quality devices from reputable manufacturers that have modern features in addition to the 3.5 mm aux port. These products were chosen from the many speakers that we have reviewed over the years.
