If you are giving a gift to someone who loves music but does not want to build a system, we recommend the DALI Katch G2 (€399) if it is meant to travel around with them. For something to stay at home and play from a phone over Wi-Fi we suggest the Cambridge Audio L/R M (€1,399). On a tighter budget, the Vulkkano A5 ARC MKII (€189) connect over Bluetooth and to the TV. Every speaker we picked works on its own, with no amplifier or other equipment.
If you are still collecting ideas, our Christmas hi-fi gifts by price guide gives a broader view. This one answers a single question, which wireless speaker to give.
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, what is the difference?
Bluetooth connects the phone directly to the speaker, nearby, with no network involved. It is the simplest connection and suits anyone who wants music anywhere. Wi-Fi connects the speaker to the home network. The phone only tells it what to play and the music travels over the network, so the phone is free for other things and the speaker keeps playing. Wi-Fi is what makes AirPlay (on iPhones), Spotify Connect and Google Cast work. It also lets you have several speakers around the house playing the same music, known as multiroom.
There are two more practical choices. A portable speaker has a battery and goes with you, while a home speaker plugs into the wall and stays put. And a single speaker is enough for a kitchen or a bedside table, whereas an active pair gives a living room stereo sound. Active means the amplifier is already inside. Our guide to active or passive speakers explains more.
The wireless speakers we give with confidence
| Model | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Vulkkano A5 ARC MKII | €189 | A first proper speaker, with a TV connection |
| DALI Katch G2 | €399 | Anyone who takes their music along |
| Cambridge Audio L/R S | €499 | Desk or shelf, in many colors |
| Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi | €699 | Anyone using AirPlay 2 or Spotify Connect |
| Escape P6 Air | €749 | A handsome speaker for the house and the garden |
| Cambridge Audio L/R M | €1,399 | A complete system for a living room |
| Cambridge Audio Evo One | €1,499 | One piece for the living room, with vinyl and TV |
Vulkkano A5 ARC MKII, €189
This is our entry-level gift. They are sold as a pair, with 100 W RMS, a silk tweeter and a 5.25-inch woofer. They plug into the wall. They have Bluetooth, optical, USB-C, RCA and HDMI ARC, so they play the phone and the TV sound too, and a remote is included. They come in brown and black. See our Vulkkano and Vestlyd guide. To see how to connect to a TV, read active speakers with HDMI ARC.
DALI Katch G2, €399
This is DALI's battery-powered Bluetooth speaker, with Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX, aptX HD and AAC codecs, a mini-jack input and a USB output that charges a phone while it plays. The strap is genuine leather and there are two sound profiles, a neutral one and a warmer one for larger rooms. It comes in Iron Black, Caramel White and Chilly Blue. The page does not state the battery life, so ask us before buying if that matters to the person receiving it.
Cambridge Audio L/R S, €499
An active pair for a desk or shelf, with 2 x 50 W, aptX HD Bluetooth, USB-C for a computer, optical for the TV and RCA. They need no amplifier. They are sold as a pair and come in black, white, green, blue and orange for €499, and in walnut for €549. It is a good gift for someone who works from home and likes quality music.
Argon Audio Forte A4 WiFi, €699
These are small speakers that, according to the page, play well above their price. They bring AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Chromecast and HDMI ARC. They suit both Wi-Fi listening and improving the TV sound in smaller rooms. It is our suggestion for someone who already listens through Spotify or AirPlay.
Escape P6 Air, €749
A portable indoor and outdoor speaker with discreet lines, AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Roon Ready certification. It plays over Wi-Fi and can join other speakers in a group without being tied to one brand. The page does not state a battery or its life, so we confirm with you before you choose it as a garden speaker.
Cambridge Audio L/R M, €1,399
This is the most versatile complete system in the L/R range, with 2 x 150 W and two passive radiators in each speaker for the bass of a larger speaker without a subwoofer. It connects over Wi-Fi with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect and Google Cast. It also connects over Bluetooth, HDMI eARC and optical. The two speakers join with a 5 m USB-C cable that is included. It comes in six colors, with walnut at €1,499. See how it compares with the others in Cambridge Audio, how to choose.
Cambridge Audio Evo One, €1,499
A streamer, amplifier and speakers in one piece that plugs in and plays. It has 14 drivers and 700 W, a 6.8-inch screen, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Google Cast and TIDAL Connect, plus a phono input for a turntable and HDMI eARC for the TV. It is 675 mm wide and weighs 14.5 kg, so it needs a piece of furniture it fits on. It comes in walnut and black.
What to avoid
- Speakers that "require Sound Hub", such as the DALI Oberon C. They need separate equipment to play and do not work on their own, so they are better left for someone who knows what they want.
- Giving Wi-Fi to someone with no home network or who dislikes installing apps. In that case choose Bluetooth.
- Buying blind on battery life. When the page does not state it, we will ask.
- Leaving the purchase to the last days. Part of the catalog arrives on order from the distributor and lead times lengthen close to Christmas.
What to consider before buying
- The recipient's phone. iPhones use AirPlay, Android phones use Google Cast and Spotify Connect.
- Where the speaker will sit, next to a socket or on a piece of furniture that can take the weight.
- The TV. Many of these speakers have optical or HDMI ARC and improve its sound.
- Shipping is free in mainland Portugal from €100, and you can collect at our store at Av. 5 de Outubro, 29, Lisbon. You can also listen first in our listening room, Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm, by booking on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Bluetooth speaker to give as a gift?
To carry around, the DALI Katch G2 (€399). For home, the Vulkkano A5 ARC MKII (€189) or the Cambridge Audio L/R S (€499).
Do I need an amplifier for these speakers?
No. They are active, the amplifier is built in, and you just plug them into the wall and connect the phone.
What is the difference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in a speaker?
Bluetooth connects the phone to the speaker, whereas Wi-Fi connects the speaker to the home network and allows AirPlay, Spotify Connect and several speakers at once.
Can I listen to the speaker before buying?
Yes, in our listening room in Lisbon, Tuesday to Saturday, by booking on WhatsApp. Not every model is always on display, so tell us which one interests you.
Also read our Christmas hi-fi gifts 2026 guide and see the collections portable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi speakers, multiroom speakers and active speakers.