What's the Best Bluetooth Speaker for Me?
The easiest way to amplify the sound of your smartphone, tablet or laptop involves a Bluetooth speaker. In this Buyer’s Guide, we explain the differences between the various models and what you should look for. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us!
What is it? | Connection | Sound | Wireless? | Water | Connections | Accessories | More Info
1. What is a Bluetooth Speaker?
Simply put, it’s a speaker that offers you the option of wirelessly playing back music via the Bluetooth standard. Needless to say, the source device, your phone for instance, must be equipped with Bluetooth technology. Another important feature of Bluetooth speakers is that they’re typically small enough to carry, but there are exceptions.
Tip: While some Bluetooth speakers are larger and have more connection options, you’ll find the truly extensive full-size speakers in a different category. For more, check out our portable Battery-Powered Speakers, Active Full-Range and Home Audio Speakers - or our Buyer’s Guide on Speakers, of course!
Bluetooth Speakers
Battery-Powered Speakers
Active Full-Range Speakers
Home Audio Speakers
Buyer's Guide - What are the Best Speakers for Me?
2. How do I Connect My Device to a Bluetooth Speaker?
If you haven’t used Bluetooth before, you’ll probably have to activate it first via the settings menu of your mobile device. Then, press down the button that activates the Bluetooth signal of the speaker so that your device can detect it. Then, select the speaker on your device to establish the wireless connection. This process is called pairing.
These days, pairing is even easier thanks to Near Field Communication technology, or NFC. All it takes to make the connection between two compatible devices automatically, is a quick tap or even just placing the devices close to each other. Please note that in this case, both the speaker and phone or tablet must feature NFC. If not, you can of course still pair both devices the normal way.
3. Will I Get Good Sound From a Bluetooth Speaker?
While there are certainly differences in audio quality between different Bluetooth speakers, they generally sound loud enough to fill a room with music and entertain you at the beach or in the park. Here are a few pointers if you’re looking for extra powerful and deep sound:
- Some models project sound from a single built-in speaker, while others are equipped with a few speakers for more powerful sound reproduction.
- To get a better picture of how loud a specific speaker can get, take a look at the power capacity and sound pressure level (SPL) in the specifications. In general, the higher these numbers, the higher the volume can be set before the sound from the speaker starts to distort.
- Bass frequencies can be an issue in some cases. The bigger the internal speaker is in inches, the fuller the bass will sound. However, since they’re quite small, you can’t always fit larger speakers inside a Bluetooth speaker. To solve this problem, little tweaks like bass radiators are used to guarantee great bass.
- Remember, don’t fixate on any single aspect. You basically have to add the above information up before you make a decision.
4. Are All Bluetooth Speakers Wireless?
Yes and no. Yes, because there’s no cable needed to link your device to the speaker. Any music playback happens wirelessly. No, because some Bluetooth speakers require a mains power source and matching power cable in order to work. This is something to look out for when you’re shopping for a Bluetooth speaker. While some models will fit in the front pocket of your jacket and can be used anywhere, others actually need plugging into a power socket.
In short, if you’re looking to buy a wireless speaker, see how the model is powered first. Most wireless ones will have a built-in battery that, once empty, can be recharged via mains power or an included USB cable and your regular smartphone charger.
5. If My Bluetooth Speaker is Waterproof, Does That Mean I Can Safely Throw It in the Pool?
Regardless of whether it’s waterproof or not, this is not an advisable thing to do. Even if your speaker does have a certain IP certification, please note that there are different values that indicate the different degrees of water resistance. For example, IP67 means completely watertight, while IP63 only means splashproof. Completely watertight indeed means the speaker is able to handle a dip in the pool. Splashproof means that a few drops of rain won’t immediately harm the speaker, but you don’t want to leave it outside for too long. If a speaker isn’t water-resistant at all, it obviously means it can’t handle any water whatsoever. For almost all speakers we list, we’ve indicated the degree of water-resistance in their specifications.
Watertight Bluetooth Speakers
Splashproof Bluetooth Speakers
All Bluetooth Speakers
6. What Type of Connections Can I Find on My Bluetooth Speaker?
Next to wireless Bluetooth, a mini-jack input is often included and can be used to connect mp3-players and phones without Bluetooth. Some models even have a mini-jack headphone output so you can plug in a pair of headphones and listen more privately. In a handful of cases, you’ll also find jack, RCA and XLR inputs, but these are usually reserved for active full-range and home audio speakers. See our Speakers Buyer’s Guide for more information.
Some Bluetooth speakers even offer the option to set up stereo sound by pairing two Bluetooth speakers. Please note that next to the smaller USB port used to recharge the battery, a speaker may also come with a regular USB port. Usually, this is a powerbank port, which can be used to charge your smartphone. In other cases, a standard USB port is only intended for use with USB sticks loaded with audio files. Always check what the specifications indicate to find out what’s possible.
Bluetooth Speakers with Mini-Jack Input
Bluetooth Speakers
Battery-Powered Speakers
Active Full-Range Speakers
Home Audio Speakers
Buyer's Guide - What are the Best Speakers for Me?
7. Do I Need Any Accessories along with My Bluetooth Speaker?
The only things you need are a power cable or USB cable (in case the speaker has a rechargeable battery) and maybe a mini-jack cable, but these are often included in the box.
Also, a protective cover or bag is always recommended. Bear in mind that these are often specifically designed for a given model, so make sure everything fits. Below our product descriptions and specifications, you can often find bundle deals including matching accessories.
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Product Categories
Bluetooth Speakers
Battery-Powered Speakers
Active Full-Range Speakers
Home Audio Speakers
Mini-Jack Cables
Buyer’s Guides
Buyer's Guide - What are the Best Speakers for Me?
