Wireless speakers work well in many places and situations. It is worth using them not only at home, but also during various trips, such as holidays. Especially when they provide good sound and high comfort of use. How to find products that meet these criteria?
At the outset, an important point – in our guide we focus primarily on Bluetooth-enabled equipment. Why? Because they enjoy the greatest popularity, so more people are looking for such models for themselves.
There are really a lot of such devices in stores, so their selection does not always turn out to be obvious. This is because you need to take into account how the Bluetooth speaker is made, as well as its key technical parameters, which have the greatest impact on how it works. For this very reason, it will be good to approach the whole matter comprehensively.
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What kind of portable speaker to choose?
To begin with, it is essential that you think about what you want to use the portable speaker for. How and where are you going to use it? Will it be operated on a daily basis or only for special occasions? The answers to these types of questions are more important than you think.
After all, if the wireless speaker is to be used mainly during trips, it must stand out with a capacious battery. All this so that you don’t have to plug it in for charging every now and then. In a place with limited access to electricity this will be really difficult.
Bluetooth speakers that are to be used mainly at home should be completely different. Although they should still allow you to set them up anywhere, when the need arises nothing will prevent you from plugging them in for charging (without turning them off). In such a situation, instead of the battery, check the components and parameters that affect the sound quality.
A portable speaker provides comfortable listening to music, it will also serve as a “support” for the basic audio system when watching movies or playing games. Of considerable importance is how often it will be used. If only occasionally, there is little point in investing several thousand zlotys for something high-end. An all-purpose model, which is much cheaper, will turn out to be completely sufficient. Slightly more attention to performance is worth paying if you intend to use it every day and if you are one of those who are particularly sensitive to possible shortcomings.
So before you get down to analyzing the market offerings and making your choice, think carefully about what you want and the amount you are able to spend on portable speakers. For as it turns out, the price range in this category is really wide, but we will get to that later in the text.
Wireless speakers – what to pay attention to before buying?
When comparing different devices sold in stores, it will certainly be good to check their technical parameters. Both those on which the quality of sound depends, and those that determine the comfort of use.
· Maximum operating time. Any equipment of this type contains a built-in rechargeable battery, which allows it to work without being connected to an electrical outlet. These are, of course, the most important advantages of Bluetooth speakers. However, in order for them to be really useful, they must work for more than an hour. So before buying, check the maximum working time of the model you are interested in. If such information is not in the technical specifications, look for it in the description or professional reviews. Reviews from other customers will also be useful.
· Maximum range. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to control the speakers using mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. From them, you can, for example, start songs, rewind them or increase and decrease the volume. Quite important for the convenience of such a solution, however, is the wireless range. Depending on the model, it can range from several to even tens of meters.
· Bluetooth standard version. The newer, the better, as it guarantees a more stable, stronger connection. Cheap Bluetooth speakers often use rather aged modules, so they are especially worth checking for this.
· Speaker power. It affects, among other things, how loud the whole set plays. For this reason, it is best to choose this parameter according to your own preferences, as well as the specific use of the equipment.
· Parameters affecting sound quality. A good Bluetooth speaker should not only be comfortable to use, but also play well. This is determined, among other things, by the frequency response. The lower value is responsible for low tones (bass), and the upper value for high tones. So the wider the bandwidth, the better. It is necessary to pay attention, moreover, to the dimensions of the transducer, signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity.
Among the parameters that affect how convenient a portable Bluetooth speaker is to use is the charging time. Also, do not forget about the way the housing is made. In stores there is no shortage of specially reinforced models, and even waterproof equipment that can operate even in harsh conditions.
For many people, moreover, dimensions are important. A compact wireless speaker will fit into any bag or backpack. It’s also easy to use while driving a car or taking a train. On the other hand, however, only large devices will guarantee adequate power and often higher sound quality. So it’s good to keep in mind the differences between these products.
Wireless speaker – features
Of course, not only the technical parameters matter. It should also be emphasized that the best wireless speakers include a number of features and additional elements. Not all of them are equally useful, but they are certainly worth at least discussing.
A large number of customers of online stores are looking for devices that contain specific ports and connectors. Among them, you definitely need to mention the headphone input, as well as the USB-C type. Mainly because with its use you can often charge the equipment, in addition, it allows you to connect external storage media (for example, such as a flash drive).
Popular features include a built-in microphone, as well as a built-in radio. In both cases, the deciding factor is, of course, whether you intend to use the functionality provided by such add-ons. If you don’t, it’s better not to spend additional resources on them.
As for the interesting features of wireless speakers, there are at least a few to mention. We are talking about voice assistant support, the ability to use this equipment as a powerbank (charging other devices), or backlighting, among others.
Although in the case of Bluetooth speakers it is this module that is the most important, some models also support others. Which ones exactly? For example, AirPlay, which is a system that allows you to connect your audio system to Apple-branded products, NFC (near-field communication) and Wi-Fi.
Types of Bluetooth speakers
At this point it should also be mentioned that Bluetooth-enabled speakers often differ in terms of how they are powered. In the case of wireless models, we can mention rechargeable products, which need to be recharged from time to time, rechargeable-network products, which also work when plugged into an electrical outlet, and battery products.
How to choose the best wireless speaker? This, of course, depends on your preferences, as well as how and where you intend to use it. When traveling, rechargeable equipment will work great, as they tend to last the longest. However, if such an audio system is to be used mainly at home, it would be good if it also works when plugged in.
If, on the other hand, you are interested in a cheap Bluetooth speaker, check out the possibilities of battery-powered devices – preferably special rechargeable batteries that can be charged repeatedly.
To the above list should be added networked, that is, wired Bluetooth speakers. They are used for stationary work, but thanks to the connectivity module they can be controlled using mobile devices such as a smartphone or tablet. Thanks to this, nothing prevents you from running music from streaming services on them.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Bluetooth speaker involves considering your specific needs, exploring the different types available, and researching top brands. By following these guidelines and conducting thorough research, you’ll be well-prepared to select a Bluetooth speaker that suits your lifestyle and preferences.
