Wireless speaker buying guide
What are wireless speakers?
A wireless speaker is an audio device that plays audio content without the need for physical cables or wires to connect it to the audio source. The speaker doesn’t require a wired connection to a smartphone, tablet, or computer, but instead receives a streaming signal over Wi-Fi or another platform such as AirPlay. The wireless speaker is powered by a rechargeable battery, or it plugs into a wall outlet.
Wireless speakers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, and are among the most popular due to their ease of use and the fact that they don’t require dealing with excess wires.
Wireless Speakers vs Portable Bluetooth Speakers
You may have heard the terms “wireless speaker” and “portable Bluetooth speaker” used interchangeably. They’re both speakers that transmit audio wirelessly, but portable Bluetooth speakers are actually a subset of wireless speakers that have unique features.
- Wireless speakers use platforms such as Wi-Fi or AirPlay to transmit audio. A portable Bluetooth speaker that transmits audio via Bluetooth technology.
- The bluetooth speaker is light in weight and easy to carry. Most types of portable Bluetooth speakers have rechargeable batteries, so you can easily take them with you. Wireless speakers can also be portable, but most require a power outlet and a Wi-Fi signal to work.
You can read more about portable bluetooth speakers in our portable bluetooth speakers buying guide.
Questions to Consider When Buying Wireless Speakers
Bose wireless speakers
Before choosing a wireless speaker or a set of wireless speakers, there are a few questions you should ask yourself.
- Why do I need wireless speakers?
The first thing you should do when shopping for a wireless speaker is determine how you plan to use it. There are many reasons why people want wireless speakers, so knowing your specific use will help you choose the one you like.
If you primarily listen to music or watch movies at home and you know your speakers will always be in the same place, you may want to have a pair of high-quality wireless speakers to go with your receiver. If you’re looking for a wireless speaker to put in your kitchen or bedroom to use as a voice assistant or to play music, you might want to buy a wireless smart speaker.
- What size wireless speaker do you need?
There are plenty of wireless speakers to choose from. To start searching, you first need to narrow down your options. From small portable wireless speakers to large high-performance wireless speakers, there is quite a variety to choose from. Once you’ve narrowed down the size, you need to consider other features, including brand, water resistance, whether it has multiroom capabilities, and whether the speaker can stream via Airplay, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi – Which is Better for Wireless Speakers?
sony wireless speaker
Deciding whether you prefer wireless speakers that connect via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is mostly a personal opinion, but there are some key differences you should keep in mind.
- Bluetooth wireless speaker
From cell phones to laptops, Bluetooth is a ubiquitous feature. Connecting via Bluetooth is easy. You can turn on the wireless speaker, find it in the Bluetooth menu, and tap your phone to connect.
Bluetooth has a limited range of 33 to 50 feet. If you keep your phone nearby, Bluetooth range isn’t much of an issue. Having a Bluetooth speaker is great for when you want to stream without power and a Wi-Fi network.
- Wi-Fi Portable Speaker
If you’re going to use wireless speakers in your home, you’ll want to choose a pair with built-in Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi streaming requires your home network to work, but it offers more consistent streaming quality and high-fidelity playback than Bluetooth. You can also connect different audio sources to it, including your receiver.
The downside of a Wi-Fi wireless speaker is that you can only use it within range of your local network. Wi-Fi speakers can also be more expensive and more challenging to set up, but the tradeoff is that you get to play everything you listen to.
Features of wireless speakers
To make your selection of wireless speakers a little easier, let’s take a look at some of the features of wireless speakers.
Which wireless speaker should you choose
- Battery powered or plugged in
Power requirements are one of the first characteristics you should consider when choosing a wireless speaker. You can find both wall-mounted and battery-operated wireless speakers, though there are more wall-mounted speakers. Powered wireless speakers use a power plug, but they’re still considered wireless because you don’t need wires to connect them to your phone or receiver.
