You know how to use Bluetooth speakers, but do you know how they work?
Knowing how is essential because that piece of information can help you choose the ones that best meet your needs.
Gone are the days of power strips and unsightly cords hanging everywhere.
Thanks to Bluetooth, and those fantastic radio waves, you can connect your favorite devices without feeling like you’re held captive by a cord.
No ugly speaker wires to contend with these days.
With Bluetooth speakers’ wireless capabilities, you can enjoy all your favorite devices from almost anywhere, doing almost any activity.
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But there are limitations. And, one of those to consider is range.
The distance you can use your Bluetooth speaker from its audio source will have an impact on your desired usage.
What Range Do I Need for Bluetooth to Work?
Radio waves allow cell phones to communicate with a cell tower. Your Bluetooth speaker uses radio waves to communicate with your devices, but those waves are a lot weaker.
The distance your speaker will pick up a signal and stream to your device is called the range, and it’s an essential factor.
With Bluetooth, you can enjoy your music anywhere in your home, and range helps you determine the appropriate distance from your audio source.
This way, you don’t have to max out your volume to hear your great music.
Most Bluetooth speakers reach anywhere from about 3o feet (9 meters) to 100 feet (30 meters).
If you’re in remote areas, the range capabilities will depend on trees, hills, and other natural barriers.
If you want to connect from one end of your home to the other, you’ll want to consider obstacles such as walls and doors.
It’s essential to know how you’ll want to use your Bluetooth speaker so you can find the range option that’s best for you.
Range options will vary depending on the size, style, and price of the speaker.
The next thing you’ll need to consider is connectivity.
How Does Bluetooth Connect to My Audio Devices?
Syncing your Bluetooth compatible device to your Bluetooth speaker is called pairing.
Make sure your devices are compatible and connecting them couldn’t be easier. You don’t have to be a tech genius to operate them.
Check out this great article on How to Solve Bluetooth Pairing Problems for troubleshooting pairing issues.
There may be extra expenses involved if you have devices that aren’t compatible with Bluetooth, such as older stereo systems and mp3 players.
The good news is most can be connected via an aux port with an audio cable. The bad news is an Aux cable isn’t always included with your speaker.
Connecting to your devices is easy.
But how do you power up your Bluetooth speakers?
Why should power options matter?
Portability is one reason. And here are a few other things to keep in mind.
How Do I Power Up Bluetooth Speakers?
Now that you know how your Bluetooth speakers work and how to connect them to your favorite devices, you want to consider their power source.
Whatever your desired application, the great news is most options offer both auxiliary and battery power.
All you need to know is if your batteries, power cords, and accessories come with your device. Not all do.
While Bluetooth is straightforward to use, your existing devices may need some tweaking to make everything work properly.
So, let’s explore the key advantages and disadvantages of using Bluetooth speakers before we dive into the best ways to enjoy them.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Bluetooth Speakers
The most apparent benefit is wires and cords don’t limit you.
The primary disadvantage is you may have audio devices that aren’t compatible.
But most of those obstacles can be overcome with the right accessories.
Here are a few other points to keep in mind:
Advantages of Using Bluetooth Speakers
- Portability – you can move your speaker anywhere you want.
- Outdoor use – outdoor entertaining has never been more effortless with wireless technology at your fingertips.
- Size – speakers used to be big and boxy and take up a lot of floor space. Now they come in all different shapes and sizes. If you live in a small apartment, this is excellent news.
- Batteries = most portable Bluetooth speakers use battery power to operate. Some batteries have a 24-hour life. Best though to use rechargeable batteries and save money.
Disadvantages of Using Bluetooth Speakers
- Performance – wired speakers carry far more bandwidth that produces a much richer sound experience. If sound performance is your primary goal, you may find the effect of a wireless signal disappointing.
- Reliability – obstacles like trees, hills, buildings, walls, and doors can interfere with radio waves that help Bluetooth work. So can remote locations without a lot of cell towers.
You can overcome this issue with a little homework.
You know the advantages and disadvantages now of using Bluetooth speakers. And, here are some great ideas to have fun with them.
What’s the Best Way to Enjoy Bluetooth Speakers?
There are many ways to put those beautiful wireless gems to work.
Bluetooth speakers are easy to connect, and uses for them are limited only by the breadth of your imagination.
All the options you’ll discover on my site offer a wide range of usability. And I’ve done the painstaking work of finding the best options for your dollar.
If you’re looking for portability on a budget, you’ll find all my top 10 picks in my Best Bluetooth Speakers Under 50 post.
If compact and portable is your thing, there are small and mini-sized portable Bluetooth speakers under $50 that will blow your hair back.
Not literally, but these babies do put out the jams.
If you’re looking for a big sound that’s portable, check out my Loudest Portable Speakers Post.
Bookshelf speakers, you’re thing? Here’s a link to my top picks of Best Bookshelf Speakers for 2020.
Small Bluetooth speakers can sit in any compact workspace. Pump up your productivity with some energizing tunes while you work.
Mini Bluetooth speakers are great for working out at the gym. Hook up to your workout playlist and rock those abs!
The ones on this list are even waterproof. You know how important that is when supersizing your routine.
The best part is they fit in your gym bag and are super portable.
Wearable Bluetooth speakers are great for running, hiking, snowboarding, or other physical activities. Old enough to remember the Walkman?
These were a great invention for the time, but can you say clunky? Today you barely know you have a speaker on you.
Water-resistant Bluetooth speakers are great for a pool party or day at the beach. Rain doesn’t bother you! Some of my top picks aren’t bothered by inclement weather, either.
There are different ratings for waterproof speakers you need to know that I’ll mention later. Click here and go directly to my IPX ratings explained.
Bluetooth speakers can connect to your Sound system. At the same time, you can nuzzle into your comfy recliner and listen to your favorite tunes.
And that trip into the kitchen to make dinner is no problem.
Bluetooth speakers can pick up a signal from another location so your audio source can stay put while you move around.
Bluetooth speakers are great for business presentations and podcasts.
Don’t like those old clunky box speakers or that boom box from the ’80s?
There are many stylish options for the decorator extraordinaire in you.
Whatever your desired use, there are Bluetooth speakers to meet your needs without breaking the bank.
In A Nutshell
Now that I’ve shown you how Bluetooth works and how you can enjoy using Bluetooth speakers, you have all the tools you need to make the best choice.
You no longer have to guess how a feature meets your needs or preferences. Or where best to use a speaker.
I’ve given you a comprehensive list of things you should consider before you invest AND a range of different ways to enjoy the use of Bluetooth speakers.
No need to search anywhere else. You have it all on this page.