10 Best Speaker Docks To Buy In 2022 (With Buying Guide)

Speaker docks have carved a name for themselves for several years now. If you are an avid traveler who loves to listen to music on the go, you might need a speaker to listen to music with without using your earphones or headphones. With a speaker dock, you can connect your phone to it, and as you stream music, this entertainment unit will charge the phone’s battery.

Finding the best speaker docks for your particular needs isn’t a walk in the park, as it might seem first. These devices come in all form of shapes and sizes. Hence, identifying the best model that levels up to your needs can be a problem if it’s your first time.

If you are looking for one, worry no more since that is where we chip in. We went through the different products from top brands, did the heavy lifting, and found the ten best speaker docks that we think could be worthy investments.

Without wasting time, let’s head on to our list of the best speaker docks.

Best Speaker Docks Summary:

10 Best Speaker Docks Of 2022

1. Belkin SoundForm Elite Hi-Fi Smart Speaker

One of the most modern speaker docks you’ll get in the market is this one right here- the Belkin SoundForm smart speaker. The design and the sound qualities used to make it are some of the reasons why it had to make it on this list.

The speaker dock comes with a circular design, which includes an angular top, where you can place your phone to play music and charge simultaneously. The top ensures that your smartphone rests safely on it without the fear of falling.

Besides that, we also noticed that this smart speaker has several playback functions on it, including a mute microphone option, play, pause, and next. We did not see any AUX or USB port added to it; although, this best speaker dock will charge any phone quickly.

The manufacturers of this speaker dock collaborated with Devialet to provide the Speaker Active Matching technology, which ensures that you get clear audio qualities. We tried to increase the speaker’s volume, and to our surprise, we noticed that the sound quality was superb. It had no distortion or vibrations, and the deep bass feature made it a great buy for anyone that loves loud music.

You can also enjoy setting alarms, playing music, or even knowing about the weather in your area by using the voice control function on it. The Sound form app allows you to set up your preferred voice or play music with it.

2. JBL OnBeat Mini iPad & iPhone Dock

If you are an audiophile, you are probably familiar with the JBL brand. We all know it for the great audio its devices produce. The JBL OneBeat Dock doesn’t disappoint when it comes to this.

We liked this best speaker dock since it comes with a simple and exceptional small design, which makes it portable. If you need to use it away from a power source or outdoors, you can use four AAA batteries, which provide up to five hours of playtime.

You’ll also find a USB port, a 3.5mm headphone port, and a lightning dock connector for charging your iPhones, iPods, and iPod Nanos. Note that the lightning connector does tilt a little bit to allow your phone to rest on the side of the speaker.

Right out of the box, we noted that the JBL OnBeat provides quality sound for your music despite its size. The speakers are also loud and don’t have any distortions. Also, its full-range transducers give the speaker its bass qualities, which you’ll love.

The speaker dock is suitable for iPhones and iPods only. However, you can use the designated USB ports to charge and stream music from other smart devices such as your tablets and android devices. Note, though; you cannot stream music from both the lightning dock and the USB-connected device simultaneously.

You may also like our list of best in-wall speakers & best floor-standing speakers.

3. Bose SoundDock Series III Digital Music System

If you are familiar with the SoundDock Series II, this one is the newer version, which users tend to appreciate its qualities and the design.

The Bose SoundDock Series III comes with a black glossy finish and a thin, sleek design right out of the box. It doesn’t consume much space and is light enough to include it in your traveling suitcase. The lightning dock sits at the front’s lower section, which provides a good view if you’d like to watch video clips from your phone as you listen to music.

Note that the lightning dock will stream music as it charges the iPhone. Other notable features include an AUX input, a connection adapter, and a remote control.

One of the reasons why buyers would love this speaker dock is its amazing sound qualities. Everything, from the bass to the high-frequency sounds, is clear despite its small size. The manufacturer includes a signal processing technology for detailed and dynamic sound, which any music lover would appreciate.

Unlike the SoundDock Series II, this speaker dock is compatible with most new iPhone and iPod versions. Nonetheless, if you’d like to connect it to other smart devices, you can do so via the AUX port.

4. Azpen Dockall D100

The Azpen Dockall D100 is a great alternative for people looking forward to doing away with charging using cables. We liked this best speaker dock because it comes with many features and decent sound quality.

If you want a speaker dock that will provide a contemporary feel when you set it up, this should be an ideal product for you. Primarily, the speaker dock is a wireless charging stand that comes with bluetooth premium speakers and two USB charging ports. Hence, you can use it to charge different types of smart devices.

Additionally, on its footer, it has a beautiful ambient lighting of blue colour that increases it’s aesthetic appeal further.

We tested the sound quality of this speaker, and our finding is that it’s quite decent in terms of sound quality. Nonetheless, don’t expect to get much bass since the high and mid-range sound qualities are more evident.

The built-in microphone comes with Active Noise Cancellation. We tried to pick phone calls from the docked phone, and the sound quality was very clear. You won’t have any issues hearing the person on the other end of the call.

We would recommend this speaker dock to someone who would love a good looking unit that has multiple lightning docks for the smart devices you have in your home.

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5. Bose SoundDock XT Speaker

If you are looking for a speaker dock that can provide uninterrupted hours of streaming music and quality sound, here is the Bose SoundDock XT Speaker.

The speaker dock comes with a minimalistic design, which allows you to carry it from one place and doesn’t consume much space in your space. Further, we noted that its visual appearance is quite fascinating, given that it has a convenient volume button to lower or increase the volume.

It also has an Apple lightning connector situated at the front and an AUX input at the back. Note that this wireless dock is only compatible with iPhones and iPods released into the market in 2015 and later.

For the sound, this speaker dock doesn’t disappoint. The manufacturers use a digital signal processing technology to produce full-range audio performance. You should be able to hear the highs, mids, and bass from this unique speaker. Further, we noted that the speaker doesn’t distort the sound even when the music is loud.

If you want a device to stream music with and charge your phone, this is the speaker dock to purchase. The speaker is also compatible with most devices, given that it has an AUX port located behind it.

6. Quirky Ohm Portable Speaker

If you are looking for a speaker dock that you can carry wherever you go, the Quirky Ohm Speaker would be a great option for you. Here are some of the qualities you should expect from it.

The manufacturer did an excellent job in providing a wireless charging option for users. Right out of the box, it comes with a base, where you dock the speaker and the phone. Once docked, the speaker will charge, and you can remove it when it’s full.

The speaker comes with a power button, a play/pause button, a volume button, and a sync button to pair with your Bluetooth device. While in full charge, the speaker provides the user with up to 8 hours of playtime.

We tried to stream some music from an iPhone, and the sound was quite clear. You can hear everything, although it didn’t produce much of the bass. If you want to receive a phone call, you can do so while the phone is docked since it has a built-in microphone. The microphone also has dual noise cancellation for clear communication.

The Quirky Ohm is a reputable speaker dock since it allows you to charge wirelessly using the USB port. Additionally, installation and pairing with other devices are easy.

7. Grace Digital Mondo+ Classic Wireless Internet Radio

The Grace Digital Mondo Wireless internet radio system is a quality speaker dock that brings to the user all the qualities you’d like to find in any dock in the market.

When it comes to the physical design, this speaker dock comes with inbuilt internet radio, which you connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, an alarm clock, and a wireless dock that sits on top of the speaker. You’ll find RCA ports, Wi-Fi antennae, and a USB port to charge incompatible devices at the back of the unit.

You can also stream music wirelessly, which is one of the reasons why you should have this in your home. The speaker also has a remote control app, and the alarm clock has escalating volumes, which you can snooze from the top of the radio.

The sound that this radio produces is quite exceptional. Most users recommend it since its full-range speakers provide the deep bass you need when listening to the type of music you love.

We also noted that the radio has a port installed behind the gadget to remove distortion from the bass.

If you want a speaker dock that helps you to charge different smart devices, listen to radio from various internet radio stations, and pair your device via Bluetooth, this compact device provides that.

8. iLive Speaker System

When shopping for a sound bar, you’ll find a variety of options in the market. The iLive Speaker System is an excellent buy for people that want a speaker doc that still operates as a sound bar.

Although this speaker dock is a sound bar, people love it because it offers a docking station on the left side of the bar. The dock is also compatible with most iPhones and iPods, and you can use it to stream music from your phone when you are not using the TV.

Other components you’ll find on this sound bar include a full feature remote control, three speakers, FM Radio, RCA output ports to connect to your smart TV.

We all know sound bars for the fantastic sound qualities they provide when watching your favorite movies or listening to music. From our testing, we can conclude that the sound provided by this speaker is high quality. You can hear the bass, highs, and low sounds from the speakers and the woofer.

Unlike most speaker docks in this list, this one is quite large and would be a superb buy for anyone who wants a sound bar that can charge your phone and stream music from it while docked. It also ensures that the user has an enjoyable experience while watching movies.

9. Soundcore Wakey Bluetooth Speaker

The last best speaker dock in our list is the Soundcore Wakey Speaker. We tested this speaker, and we loved everything that this speaker had to offer despite its low price range.

The speaker dock is a quality device that is lightweight, portable, and offers a stylish design. It comes in a variety of colors including, white, and grey. Some notable features include an LED Display clock, which can synchronize to your phone, Bluetooth, a wireless charging dock for Qi-compatible devices, AUX cables, and two USB ports for non-compatible devices.

Besides this, the sound dock has a sound core app, which you can use to set the brightness of the alarm clock and access other settings since it doesn’t come with a remote control.

For the sound, we found out that the sound from this sound dock was fantastic. The speaker provides a full and balanced sound from its speakers. The alarm clock also provides up to 15 different sounds for you to set additional alarms.

Since this device is lightweight, travelers would benefit most from it since it won’t consume much space in your luggage. Additionally, it offers wireless streaming options and various charging and connectivity options depending on your needs.

10. ALPHASONIK Decor Speaker

The last speaker dock on our list is the Alphasonik Dock speaker. It’s a great addition to any space since it comes with an elegant design and provides that sound quality you’ll always look for in any speaker dock.

It’s a great unit that comes with a black piano finish and a black fabric on it. It also has three legs, which are 25-inches tall and is easy to install and set up. We also noted that it has a large rechargeable Li-ion battery, which provides up to 5 hours of playtime and four hours of charging time.

If you are looking for that speaker dock that will provide that extra quality on the sound, this is the speaker dock to buy. We loved the fact that the manufacturer uses a ten-speaker drive to pump up the sound. It also has two tweeters and four passive radiators. Therefore, you’ll have all the clear sound qualities you’d like to experience when listening to your favorite music.

You can either listen to music via the wireless Bluetooth feature or docking your phone on it. To charge it, you need to place your smartphone at the top where the Qi logo is. Note that the speaker dock is compatible with all types of smart devices.

Best Speaker Docks – Buying Guide

Speaker Docks are audio systems that are designed to play music and charge the speakers simultaneously. Here’s looking at how to select the best speaker dock – a buying guide. 

Types of Docking Station

Fixed Docking stations are chosen based on how and where they are used. They are used on tables, coffee stands or nightstands. These large fixed docking stations make it possible to play loud and high-quality music without any cumbersome musical arrangement. These docks run on an external power source. 

A portable docking station is the other type. As the name suggests, it is for those who need to carry their docking station around. They are compact and lightweight. It suits well if you intend to move it along and use it in cars and open spaces. These docks are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Some also use alkaline batteries, though. 

Standalone Docking Station is the simplest form of the speaker where one can attach their device. They are compact and portable. Their lightweight and portability make them an excellent accessory for those traveling, always on the move. Standalone docks work well with small devices like a smartphone or a digital audio player. They do not combine well with larger players.

Combined Speaker Docks work identically as a standalone docking station but have additional features. For example, some speaker docks have a radio, alarm or remote control, amongst others.

Since the combined ones have more features, they are bulkier and not easily portable. They also tend to be charged by an external power source. These are perfect for those who have good quality speakers without the hassle of a home theatre system. The combined docks work with speakers of all sizes.

Connectivity

Wireless connectivity

A device can’t be connected to the dock at all times to enable playback of music. For such times these connectivity options become convenient. Like Bluetooth or NFC. There are some devices that are AirPlay connected as well.

Connections

Most devices have different charging ports. According to your device, it is important to choose the dock. Currently, the most common charging connectivity in speaker docks is Apple’s 30 pin adapter. The newer models are coming equipped with Apple’s new Lightning connector along with a universal Micro USB. Micro USB works for a host of other brands of smartphones, digital audio players. It is not compatible with Apple products, though.

AUX

Docks may come equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack or AUX port. This allows playing music through other devices as well. It is much needed if you have devices that do not use connections given on your docks.

Design

Speaker Docks are highly developed nowadays. Brands are not just focusing on improving the sound and features but are concentrating a lot on aesthetics and design. While some of them are designed to be lightweight, they are constructed to be sturdily built. The others have a foldable design that is space-saving and can be carried around with ease. The ones meant to be kept at home and in rooms have been designed to match the room’s interiors. They are elegant and sleek or can get funky and colorful.

Some designs allow for tilting of the screen, rotating and other flexibility as well. They can be vertically or horizontally aligned. These are some of the prime features to look out for.

Speakers

Some of the more advanced and high-end speaker docks have two sets of speakers instead of one. They help become the primary stereo system in the house thanks to the quality and strength of their sound playback. There are other models which have a separate driver for bass-heavy sounds as well. 

Additional Features

As we talked about earlier, some models come equipped with additional features. One of the best features for them to have is FM Radio Station, which allows you to play your favorite channels on the docks and not invest in a separate radio player.

An LED screen that can show the controls has a clock that can also work as an alarm clock, remote control, which makes it extremely convenient to use the speaking dock.

Performance

It is challenging to assess the performance of a speaker dock without actually listening. However, one can compare specifications to decide on one. The specifications that could be compared are watts which give an idea of the audio output power, a frequency range that suggests how it would play the lows, mid-range and bass.  

FAQs About Speaker Docks

1. Are speaker docks worth it?

Some may think speaker docks are old and not worth it today, but once you play music from this setup, you will realize that they have ease of use and their sound quality is exceptional.

2. Do I need a different speaker doc for Android phone and iPhone?

Apple iPhone speaker docks have gone through multiple changes and have a compatibility issue between newer and older models. The high-end market of speaker docks still focuses on only Apple speakers. Therefore, for some models, you may need separate. Rest, for most, there are both android and apple speaker docks.

3. Do speaker docs come with fast charging support?

While speaker docks support wireless charging and charging while playing, they are yet to support the fast or turbo-charging that most phone chargers come equipped with.

4. Do speaker docks have bass?

Most of the speaker docks are capable of playing good to decent bass. They may not have a booming bass, but it is adequate for everyday music. Some models of speaker docks can be expanded to a higher-quality bass player simply by adding subwoofers. So speaker docks do have bass.

Final Remarks

From the article, we can conclude that the best speaker dock needs to be compatible with your phone. If it’s not, it may not be easy to enjoy using it unless it comes with extra connectivity options such as USB ports, AUX ports, or Bluetooth connectivity.

When shopping, ensure that you test the speaker dock to know what sound qualities it has. Ensure that the sound is quality, clear, and something that suits your needs. Remember that if the speaker dock is small, it can be challenging to produce the sound that a more extensive speaker system would.

From our list, we found the ALPHASONIK Decor Speaker to be the best buy option for anyone looking for a quality sound dock. It is compact, comes with quality speakers, and fits the needs of most users. Additionally, thanks to its fantastic finish, you can be sure that the speaker dock will enhance your space effortlessly.