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What to Look for When Buying a Bluetooth Speaker

Bluetooth Speaker Buying Guide

Last updated on January 23rd, 2024 at 02:31 am

The main reason you want to have a Bluetooth speaker is you don’t have to worry about connecting cables or wires. There’s no need to plug your speakers into a headphone jack to listen to music.

You can connect it to any Bluetooth-enabled device like your smartphone, tablet or computer.

Next, you could choose a portable Bluetooth speaker which is easy to carry around and take it anywhere you like.

At home, you can listen to music anywhere with it. In the kitchen, in your garden and in your bedroom.

Throwing a party outdoors and want to share your favourite music with your friends and family? Well, just carry a Bluetooth speaker along with your smartphone or tablet and you’re good to go.

Want to make a hands-free phone call? Use a Bluetooth speaker for better sound clarity. Most models come with built-in mic.

You also get to save space with Bluetooth speakers. They come in all types of visally-pleasing designs. Imagine having a speaker in the form of a water bottle. Wouldn’t it be a boon if you’re pressed for horizontal space?

What You Should Consider

Battery Life

Choose a model that would offer you at least 10 hours of battery life. If you’re planning to use the speaker for long hours outdoors choose one that provides 24 hours of battery life.

Water Resistant and Waterproof

If you foresee your speaker coming into contact with water indoors or outdoors, make sure you get a unit that is water resitant and is waterproof.

A unit which is water resistant will protect it from spillage, splashes and rain. A waterproof unit will protect your unit in case it gets submerged in water.

Audio Quality

The main grouse about Bluetooth speakers is audio quality. Yes, it can’t match dedicated wired speakers, but the whole idea is convenience.

Still, it doesn’t mean you can’t get good quality audio from Bluetooth speakers. The higher the price, the better the sound quality. If you just want to the convenience of listening to music anywhere you like, you should be happy with the sound quality Bluetooth speakers offer.

Decide what kind of audio you would be listening. This will help you choose an approprite speaker. I wouldn’t want to dish out a huge sum of money for a Bluetooth speaker which I’ll use for listening to podcasts or audiobooks.

If music is what what you have in mind, then you could do well to choose at least a unit with good stereo sound quality with decent subwoofer and bass.

Bluetooth Speaker Ideas

This quick shopping guide will familiarise you with the basic features of a portable Bluetooth speaker.

JBL CLIP3

If you’re looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker that’s waterproof and scores high marks on portability, the JBL CLIP3 will suit your requirements.

You can hang it on your backpack or belt loop. It provides up to 10 hours of playtime. If dropped into water, it floats.

Among the 12 colors available range from blue, white, yellow, pink and red.

Check out the bestselling JBL CLIP3.

OontZ Angle 3

If shape and portability isn’t a concern and you don’t foresee using your Bluetooth speaker for outdoor use, then OontZ Angle 3 should be on your shopping shortlist.

It comes with a 100ft wireless range and a built-in microphone.

This Bluetooth speaker by Cambridge Sound Works (USA) plays audio with no distortion, even at maximum volume.’

It’s also water resistant – splashproof and rainproof which means you can take it into your shower.

The downside is it’s not waterproof. You can’t have it submerged in water.

Weighing a mere 10 ounces, its battery life is estimated at 14 hours if you play your audio at 2/3 volume.

Check out OontZ Angle 3 if indoor use is what you have in mind.

JBL FLIP 4 

If you want to connect more than one Bluetooth device to your speaker, this is the unit you should go for.

With JBL Flip 4 you can connect two smartphones or tablets and take turns to play the audio.

This waterproof Bluetooth speaker boasts a 12-hour playtime, thanks to its built-in 3000mAh Lithium-ion battery.

You can use JBL Flip 4 for conference calls. It does a great job in cancelling noise and echo.

Also, with a single touch of a button, you can talk to Siri or Google Now.

Here’s what take the cake. With the JBL Connect+ technology, you can wirelessly connect to more than 100 JBL Connect+ speakers to amplify sound and enhance your listening experience.

Say you bring it to a party and twenty other people bring along JBL Connect+ speakers. You can send music to all those speakers and get the necessary volume requires, especially in an open space.

Take a look at JBL Flip 4.

More Ideas for Buying a Bluetooth Speaker

Do you wish to explore a wide range of Bluetooth speakers before buying a Bluetooth speaker?

If so, check out more Bluetooth Speaker Shopping Ideas or Pick a Bestselling Portable Bluetooth Speaker.

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