What should I look for when buying a bluetooth speaker? 8 things to consider

Are you finding the best Bluetooth speakers online? A portable Bluetooth speaker comes as a collection of your high-end audio devices. What adds more to it is the wireless connection which makes it pretty handy. Yet, buying the best Bluetooth speaker is a job better said than done. Determining the quality of sound is not possible unless you hear it yourself. Unfortunately, unlike Smartphones, auditioning before purchasing is not possible. 

So, where does that leave you? What to look for in a Bluetooth speaker while you can’t audition it? As it goes, we have made this list of small features to be ticked before making a purchase. Let’s go ahead, shall we? 

What should I look for when buying a portable Bluetooth speaker?

1. Type of the Speaker

“What type of speaker do you want?” – It should be a question in your head. In case you are not sure yet, here are three types of Bluetooth speakers you can pick from:

• Standing Speakers: Floor standing Bluetooth speakers stand on your floor. It is almost like those tower fans. Floor standing speakers can provide you with an enriched sound experience, with maintained treble and strong bass.
• Satellite Speakers: As the name suggests, these speakers can be installed anywhere. You can even keep them in another room or connect via WiFi.
• Bookshelf Speakers: You don’t necessarily have to keep these speakers on bookshelves. But these are required to be installed at 30-40 inches above the ground to provide you surrounding sound experience. 

2. Frequency Range

Everything that you hear around you hits your brain differently. Every sound has a different frequency, which is measured in Hertz (Hz). While sound reception in human ears depends on many factors, such as age and hearing ability, you can still go for a median frequency range.

As you buy a Bluetooth speaker, understanding the frequency is crucial. Human ears can listen up to 20Hz. Hence, when you buy a subwoofer, try to buy something that goes as near as possible. Therefore, a good-quality sub must range between 50-25Hz. 

3. Sound Quality

The sound quality of a Bluetooth speaker can be decided based on total harmonic distortion. While looking for this on the spec table, see if it has less than 1% total harmonic distortion. The frequency response is also an important thing. As said earlier, most of us cannot hear more than 20Hz. 

As we grow older, it declines even further. You might see figures like 100 Hz to 20Khz. While 100Hz is the low-frequency indication, 20Khz is the highest. The highest isn’t that important since we can’t really accept the sound that high. Hence, the lower, the better. Lower frequency ensures better bass. 

4. Connectivity Options

Since you are picking Bluetooth speakers, you must not ignore the connectivity options. First of all, Bluetooth wireless connectivity can get disrupted if the sensors are poor. 

So, go for the latest Bluetooth versions as you are already paying the money. Also, please ensure that it offers a seamless whole room connection. Check the length of connection reachability as well. 

Again, if you get NFC connectivity along with Bluetooth, it will be much smoother. NFC lets your device connect with another compatible one within a blink. Many Bluetooth speakers also come with AUX support. It enables you to connect to those devices which don’t have Bluetooth support. 

5. Durability

Durability is one big thing you should never ignore. Since Bluetooth speakers are often carried to different places, they may face physical damages. If these are too small, they may fall and break as well. So, the convenience of carrying them also invites the risk of harm. 

It would be better to choose a strong, waterproof speaker. In terms of waterproofing, you can see for IP67/68 rating. Such ratings ensure the durability of your speaker and protection against natural changes. A damage-resistant speaker can always withstand minor falls and scratches. 

6. Battery Life

Battery life is yet another major deciding factor in purchasing Bluetooth speakers. For example, if you are going to use it outside, like taking it on trips, you will need a better battery backup. Battery life is going to matter a lot if you are to pick a portable Bluetooth speaker. Go for a battery life of at least 10 hrs if you are to use the speaker rigorously. 

7. Portability

When it comes to portability, there are three main aspects you need to consider. Of course, one thing that makes the Bluetooth speakers so portable is that they do not have wires. But, you may not always pack them in your bag and go for a picnic. So, what do you need to consider?

First, why are you buying this? Is it because you want a wireless speaker in your home which you won’t take anywhere that much? Or, you want a cool speaker that you can pack whenever you travel? If you reason with the first one, you may go for a big speaker. But, if you want something handy, go for smaller ones. 

P.S. Big speakers offer louder sound. Hence, these are ideal for parties and as home theatres. 

8. Price

Price is a determiner of the quality of your Bluetooth speaker. That said, it is also true that you need to find a balance. A quality Bluetooth speaker can start from as low as 5000 and go even higher than 1 Lacs. Whichever you choose in between depends on your budget preference or what features you are actually looking for. 

Thus, looking for the perfect Bluetooth speaker is like going on a sudden trip. You don’t have a map, but you have to discover the territory. And there is still more to unravel. If you want us to be of some help, you can see these listed Bluetooth speakers that we found to have excellent quality overall. 

Best Bluetooth Speakers that You Can Buy

Best Overall: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay P6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Microphone

With a total pack of 215W peak power, Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay P6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is next on our list. It houses a design from the 1970s. There are 5 control buttons made of aluminum on the speaker’s top, with one “one tap” customizable button for some smart actions. You can control it all with the Beoplay app. You also get IP57 protection, which means it is dust and water-spill-resistant.

If you are looking for a small speaker that can create a 360-degree sound experience, fill every bit of your room with clear sound; this is it. It features Bang & Olufsen’s True360 sound technology to enhance the sound quality. It also has an amazing battery life of 16 hours, enough to keep the speaker running. 

However, you may notice some distortion at the speaker’s highest volume. Also, we think the speaker’s price is a bit too much when compared to others at this price. 

Pros:

• True360 sound experience
• two 30W Class D full tone and one 36W class D woofer
• Very small, pocket-sized design
• Crystal clear eagled precision 
• Features microphone
• IP57 protection

Cons:

• A bit too pricey

Best for TV: Bose Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System with Universal Remote Control

Soundbars came into existence because people didn’t have much room for an entire sound system. But, as it seems, Bose designed Solo 5 TV Soundbar Sound System for people who don’t have room for sound bars as well. Quite magnificently, this soundbar, at just 7cm tall and 55cm, can produce decent sound. 

With that, Bose soundbar also has a sturdy build with a simplistic design. There are no lines of buttons to complicate things. Hence, it is simple and easy to use. 

However, one must remember that it’s basically for TV. Hence, don’t raise your expectations so much, or else you will be disappointed. Also, it lays its cards best when used with smaller TVs as compared to the larger ones. 

Pros:

• Small and compact
• Easily portable
• Good to enhance TV sound

Cons:

• Not suitable for parties or big events

JBL Pulse 3 Wireless Bluetooth IPX7 Waterproof Speaker

JBL has been a dominating brand in the electronic audio industry for more than decades. If you are looking for a quality, branded speaker at a budget range, JBL Pulse 3 is the one. With a peak power of 20 watts, this speaker produces a 360° sound experience. Also, it has IPX7 waterproofing that protects it from water and rain. So, you don’t have to worry about those pool parties anymore!

JBL has always been consistent with its unmatchable features. You can pair this Bluetooth speaker to up to 2 smartphones simultaneously. Also, it comes with the JBL+ support, which lets you connect to 100 more JBL+ supported devices wirelessly. Needn’t we mention that amazing RGB LED ambiance light which will sync according to the rhythm. 

However, if you are looking for a true party speaker, it might not be on the top of your priority list. Although it produces clear sound with great bass, its outdoor performance isn’t that good. Yet, features considered, it does make a great deal out of its budget. 

Pros:

• IPX7 protection
• 360° sound experience
• JBL+ support- connect to 100 other JBL+ devices
• Connect to 2 devices simultaneously 

Cons:

• Not ideal party speaker

B&O Play Beoplay P2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Another excellent choice from the house of B&O is B&O Play Beoplay P2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. It features a powerful “re-designed mid-woofer” that can deliver crystal clear sound and uncompromised bass. It has a splash, dust, and rust-resistant aluminum top, giving it enough protection against accidental falls. 

This compact and pocket-sized speaker is excellent to carry around. It doesn’t have any physical buttons on it. You can customize several in-built features using the Bang & Olufsen app. If you compare the speaker’s quality to most other speakers of such size, you will find this to be the loudest. You can expect great sound and promising bass at just 50-80 percent volume. 

In terms of battery performance, with the 2,200 mAh, you get 10 hours of seamless wireless audio play at a stretch. The built-in microphone allows you to receive calls from the Beoplay P2 itself. 

In our opinion, this B&O Beoplay P2 is a great deal unless you are looking for party speakers. It’s great for personal listening or those small gatherings. Also, excluding physical buttons means you have to keep the phone always with you to control it. 

Pros:

• Small and portable speaker
• Rust-free aluminum top with dust and splash protection
• Great sound quality
• Impressive bass

Cons:

• No physical buttons included

FAQs

Where can I buy a Bluetooth Speaker?

Bluetooth speakers are pretty much available anywhere. However, if you plan to buy it online, you can get one from us or browse from our collection, by clicking here.

What should I look for when buying a portable Bluetooth speaker?

Finding the best Bluetooth speaker is a job better said than done. Yet, with our Bluetooth Speaker Buyer’s Guide, you can find one that easily that matches your requirements. 

How many watts is a good Bluetooth speaker?

It depends on the purpose you will be using your Bluetooth speaker for. If you need a Bluetooth speaker for your home, something between 15-30 watts should be enough. However, if you want something for a large gathering, go for something higher than 80 watts. 

Which is the best portable Bluetooth speaker?

Naming a Bluetooth speaker as “the best” may not be an easy task, but you can certainly find one that would suit your requirement. On our list, we would suggest going for Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay P6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker for its outstanding sound output, portable design, and waterproofing. 

Conclusion

Auditioning the audio quality of Bluetooth speakers is always the best way to buy one. Yet, if you don’t get a chance to do so, you should always follow the buyer’s guide. By understanding the features and the differences, you can get whatever you want.

In the end, it is fair to say that the choice of a Bluetooth speaker can be very personal.