If you love music, chances are wireless speakers are on your holiday wish list. Wireless speakers have grown in popularity with most major brands such as Bose, Harman Kardon and Sony offering a portable model of some kind. The speakers can vary in size, shape, sound quality and wireless system they use. The first step in determining the best wireless speaker for your needs is deciding how you want to go wireless.

If you want to stream iTunes on your wireless speaker using Apple's AirPlay, you'll want a wireless speaker that supports the feature. AirPlay speakers are usually more expensive, bulky and power hungry than Bluetooth speakers. Your best choices listed herein are the Ultimate Ears Boom Wireless Bluetooth Speaker and the Harman Kardon Aura speaker system.

Bluetooth, while it does not have as many features as AirPlay, is a wireless streaming system that supports more devices and tends to be less expensive. Bluetooth works by pairing, which means a device can only stream to a single speaker system. The good news is that Bluetooth speakers can run on rechargeable batteries, making them portable inside the house or outside.

If portability means the most to you, choose smaller, battery-powered speakers. It's important to note the smaller speakers don't offer the fullest sound. More bass and volume means selecting larger single speakers that are expensive and not easily portable.

Most wireless speakers have built-in, noise-canceling microphones to allow hands-free phone calls.

CNET recommends these five portable wireless speakers:

Ultimate Ears Boom Wireless Bluetooth Speaker. This speaker delivers huge sound and is ideal for outdoor use. Buy it on sale at Best Buy for $179.95 (Regular price: $199.99).

Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker. While not as powerful as the company's Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II, the mini version delivers impressive sound for $100 less. You can get it at Amazon for $199.00 (Regular price: $199.99).

JBL Flip Wireless Bluetooth Speaker. CNET is not thrilled with the device's battery life but says it has great sound quality for the price. Buy it on sale at JBL for $89.95 (Regular price: $99.95).

Sony SRS-BTX500 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. The wireless speaker is one of the most expensive but comes with a neoprene case for user's on-the-go and has tremendous sound. On sale at Best Buy for $298.00 (Regular price: $299.99).

JBL Charge Portable Wireless Speaker. Larger than the Flip model, this speaker offers extended battery life and better sound for $50 more. Get it at Amazon for the low price of $134.99 (Regular price: $149.95)

PC magazine recommends these five portable wireless speakers:

Braven BRV-X Portable Wireless Speaker. The ultra-rugged BRV-X rocks the outdoors with an IPX7 waterproof exterior and shockproof rubber exterior. Built-in 5200 mAh portable power bank quickly charges smartphones, MP3 players and other USB devices. Amazon has the lowest price $174.99 for the gray/white model (Regular price $199.99).

Harman Kardon Aura Wireless Stereo Speaker System. Six mid- to high-range 1.5-inch transducers deliver accurate, Omni-directional sound. A 4.5-inch subwoofer gives you powerful bass. The custom DSP audio technology provides room-filling sound. Use it with Bluetooth. It also has a built-in Apple AirPlay system. The customized Harman Kardon Remote app allows for easy set-up. It is nearly impossible to find this speaker system selling for less than its retail price of $399.95.

Marshall Stanmore Bluetooth Speaker. While it may be a compact stereo speaker, its sound is large. Its advanced technology offers an accurate response throughout the frequency range. Use your Bluetooth-enabled device to stream music directly to your Stanmore. The wireless speaker comes with two standby modes, PowerSaver and Standard. Amazon has the lowest price at $378.92 (Regular price $399.99).

Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III. Bose's Speaker III may be a mobile Bluetooth speaker, but it reproduces music with the same clarity, depth and fullness of larger speakers. It connects wirelessly to your Bluetooth device. Share your music for up to 14 hours using the lithium-ion battery. Dell has the lowest price at $299.00 (Regular price $299.95).

JBL Clip. The speaker gives you five hours of battery power. Use its Bluetooth functionality to take music with you where ever you go. Plug it into any portable device using its 3.5 mm integrated audio cable or use it wireless. You can also use its hands-free speakerphone function. What differs this speaker from the rest is its built-in carabiner that enables you to hook it to your clothes or anywhere. Buy it on sale at JBL for $44.95 (Regular price $49.95).