Bluetooth speakers have become ubiquitous for how handy they are to use – simply link them to your phone or computer and play on. Nowadays, many televisions even have Bluetooth accessibility. If you’re accustomed to using big stacks of speakers, you might be wondering: are Bluetooth speakers even good to use with TVs?
Bluetooth speakers are good for TVs because they are small, don’t take up space, and don’t involve complicated wiring. Even if you want to use a Bluetooth speaker and your TV doesn’t have Bluetooth capabilities, you can easily connect a Bluetooth speaker to the TV with an AUX cable.
This article will discuss some of the most important information you need to know about Bluetooth speakers and TVs, including how they work together, the pros and cons of using Bluetooth speakers with your TV, and some of the best options on the market.
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What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Bluetooth Speakers With My TV?
Bluetooth speakers have become widely popularized for a good reason – they’re incredibly handy to use in all sorts of circumstances. They connect to a variety of devices, including televisions, cell phones, laptops, and desktops. A lot of people use them stationary in their kitchens, living rooms, or bedrooms, while other people like to take them on the road for trips to the park or on a picnic.
Bluetooth speakers are generally designed for wear and tear. You’ll find that many models have squishy silicone coverings on their bottoms and edges, which often make them resistant to dropping and throwing. Many models are also waterproof, so you can bring them to the beach or use them out by the pool.
Thousands of people swear by Bluetooth speakers to use with their televisions, while other people have a hard time using them for a number of reasons. It all comes down to how much you understand about Bluetooth technology. It can be complicated, but I’ll do my best to demystify it for you. Here’s the pros and cons of using a Bluetooth speaker with your TV.
Pros of Using Bluetooth With Your TV
Ease of Connection
The first benefit of using a Bluetooth speaker with your TV is the fact that connecting the two devices is as simple as a couple of quick clicks. This is one of the biggest reasons they have gotten as popular as they are with many people. They’re easy to use and accessible to most people as they are designed for the everyday consumer, so you don’t have to be techy to get it to work.
The Bluetooth connection technology is what makes these devices so awesome. For many years, people had to wire one device to another. This is still commonplace in many settings – speakers still exist that use AUX input and jacks to connect, making them a “wired” connection.
Bluetooth technology, on the other hand, allows us to use “wireless” technology. What this does, essentially, is act as that wire. The Bluetooth mechanism inside the speaker comes in contact with the one inside your TV, and together, the two allow the audio from your TV to be played on the little speaker of your choice.
Almost all Bluetooth devices will have a little Bluetooth symbol on the top, side, or bottom of the device. This symbol might just be a little stamp that indicates Bluetooth capabilities, or it may be an entire button. Either way, all you’ll have to do to begin the “searching” function on your speaker is click a button once or twice (always follow manufacturer instructions).
Once you’ve put your speaker into “searching” mode, you should turn Bluetooth capabilities on in the settings on your TV. Because more people have access to modern technology, TVs with such a feature are becoming the norm. You may be surprised to find out that your TV has this setting – take a peek through the audio and speaker settings on your screen to find out.
Once you find it, turn Bluetooth on. It may take a few moments, but eventually, your speaker will either flash a light or make a quick noise to indicate that the connection was successful. Some devices are faster at this process than others. Modern devices can do this within seconds. From here, you can start binge-watching your favorite shows.
If you have trouble with your Bluetooth speaker connection, check out the article on ways you can fix the problem.
Multi Use Capability
Another reason that Bluetooth speakers are so great to use with TVs is that they can be used with several other devices in your house. If you already have a Bluetooth speaker that you’re using for your TV but need something to stream music on for your next dinner party, grab the speaker, connect with your phone, and get grooving. Some devices even allow multiple Bluetooth speakers to be connected at once.
Bluetooth speakers can be found in all sorts of places. A lot of people like to keep them around the house to be moved around. If you’re having people over, you might like to put your favorite playlist on and leave it on the table. If you’re listening to a podcast while cleaning, set it on the counter. You can even use your speaker to play lullabies for your baby or toddler.
What’s great is that the opposite is also true, meaning that you can use a Bluetooth speaker you already have and turn it into a speaker for your TV.
If you’re someone who likes bringing their bass-heavy Bluetooth speaker to the beach or to your friend’s house (or just happen to keep it in your car), bring it inside and hook it up to your TV for an enhanced movie night. You might be surprised at how well such a small speaker does for rendering deep soundtracks and movie FX.
If you’re in a pinch and your TV isn’t working but still want to get your Netflix on, fear not – set your laptop up on a table and connect it to your Bluetooth speaker. Almost all laptops nowadays have Bluetooth compatibility, so if you’re looking to watch a flick with a crowd but can’t use the TV, everyone will still be able to see and, even better, hear what you’re watching.
Cons of Using Bluetooth With Your TV
Sound Quality Isn’t Supreme
Though there are a few really great things about using a Bluetooth speaker with your TV, there are also a couple of factors that you should keep in mind when you’re trying to find a new speaker for your TV. The first con of using this kind of speaker for your TV is that, while most Bluetooth speakers have decent audio specs these days, they aren’t all designed for a theater-quality audio experience.
Since Bluetooth speakers are designed for mobility, they physically can’t hold all of the extensive technology that bigger cabinet-based speaker setups have. It’s not feasible to install massive subwoofers, tweeters, and midrange speakers into a little silicone Bluetooth speaker – it would be giant, overpriced, and undesirable to most customers.
Most manufacturers of Bluetooth speakers design and market their products for the average consumer, someone who uses a speaker occasionally for playing music from their phone. This customer generally just plays music but isn’t necessarily an audiophile. This is what has allowed speaker manufacturers to make so much money off of their products – people love them!
While most Bluetooth speakers can easily get the job done of putting out okay-quality audio from your television when you’re watching sports or a quick movie, they generally aren’t the best for getting super high-quality sound. This is because they were designed for casual use, not regular loud movie playing. For a great movie set up, you’re going to want to buy far more expert-quality products.
Don’t forget to test out placement of the Bluetooth speaker to improve sound as well! Whether you stand the speaker up on one side, lay it flush, or at some angle, there’s a placement that will make the sound quality much better in your room. Yes, even portable speakers can benefit from placement. It’s still sound waves after all!
If you’re someone who’s looking to set up a full home theater, consider getting a stationary speaker. Speakers that were meant to stay in once place – in your living room or theater – are specifically designed to offer the best sound possible and have the modern audiophile in mind. Bluetooth speakers are great in a pinch, but if you’re looking for a cinema-level experience, look elsewhere.
Limited Charge Life
Another con of using a Bluetooth speaker with a TV is part good, part bad. Something that you need to keep in mind when you’re looking for new speakers and you’re thinking about hooking one up to your TV is that Bluetooth speakers are designed to be mobile. You can take them on the go and throw them into your bag if you’re hitting the road.
This aspect of mobility is really great for some people. It makes listening to music outside or in small spaces with limited setups way easier – all you have to do is link a phone, and you’re good to go. However, if you’re trying to watch a string of movies in your own home and are using a Bluetooth speaker, you’ll probably run into the issue of limited charge life.
When you create a mobile product like a cell phone or a Bluetooth speaker, that product always needs to have a charger. You charge the phone and take it on the road, and if you use it for too long, it dies until you charge it again. The same goes for your speaker – since they were designed to be mobile, you can’t use the speaker indefinitely like you can a stationary speaker that plugs directly into the wall.
What Bluetooth Speaker Should I Get for My TV?
After looking at the pros and cons, if you’ve decided that buying a Bluetooth speaker is the right choice for your TV, then it’s time to pick your speaker of choice. There are hundreds of different speaker options on the market right now.
There are options that are small and discreet that you can keep in your dorm room or apartment. There are others that you can take on the road with you and blast music through for a larger event.
Either one of these can be used for your TV, though they each serve their own purpose. Although we can’t tell you which one is the best, we can definitely give you a few different options that you can pick from and see which one you like.
Best Budget Choice: OontZ Angle 3
Even though you might not have a lot of money to spend on luxury items for your house, you should still be able to hear the TV when you’re trying to watch a movie or a show. This is where we come in handy with the best Bluetooth speaker for people with slim wallets. If you’re on a budget right now, but you’re still looking to get your hands on a nice-quality Bluetooth speaker, check out the OontZ Angle 3.
This Bluetooth speaker is awesome because, first and foremost, the price is highly affordable. It won’t cost you an arm and a leg to get good playback from your TV. Even though it’s small in size, it packs a punch, so you can get a great sound no matter where you are in the room. All you have to do is hook it up to your TV, place it in front of you, and enjoy the sweet sound without breaking the bank.
Best Middle of the Road Speaker: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
If you have a little bit more money to spend on a really great speaker and want to find a balance between price and quality, then you should consider opting for the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6. This model of Bluetooth speaker has become the company’s signature look, with the smooth black covering and sleek buttons. This model is easy to use and looks great.
This speaker from Harman Kardon is an awesome middle of the road option, most importantly, because the sound quality is spectacular. HK does a really great job of making small speakers that offer a lot of sounds. Also, the sound isn’t just loud and whiny, either – the bass on these speakers is steady and heavy, great for movies with deep soundtracks.
Best Higher End Choice: JBL Xtreme 2 Waterproof Portable Speaker
If you have the money to spend on a top of the line Bluetooth speaker that you can use with your TV and any other device with Bluetooth accessibility, take a peek at the JBL Xtreme 2 Waterproof Portable Speaker. This Bluetooth speaker is essential to a modern-day boombox – it comes with a carrying strap that you can use to tote it around.
This giant Bluetooth speaker is an awesome addition to anyone’s living room. Even though it’s made to be able to take with you everywhere when you want some music played, it’s also great for putting in front of or beside your TV to enhance your movie or TV watching experience.
What Do I Do if My TV Doesn’t Have Bluetooth?
I know there are a few of you who might have paused at the pros and cons and thought, hey – my TV doesn’t even have Bluetooth accessibility! You probably think that if you have an older TV, you can’t connect to Bluetooth. However, I’m about to offer you some awesome technological magic: let me introduce you to the Bluetooth adapter.
A Bluetooth adapter is a device that plugs into the AUX input on your television and gives the TV a way to connect to your Bluetooth speaker of choice. Essentially, the adapter turns your older model TV into one that can accept Bluetooth reception. This is great because it allows you to use the TV you already have without having to buy an expensive, complicated model.
There are a bunch of different options for people who want to buy a Bluetooth adapter for their TV. There aren’t many variations of the product because they all generally do the same thing, but there are some different models that people prefer over others.
One of the most highly-rated Bluetooth adapters on the market right now is the TaoTronics 5.0 Bluetooth Transmitter. What’s really nice about this model is that it only consists of an on/off button, a switch to change from one paired device to another, and a jack to plug it into the TV. This is a super simple option and comes highly recommended as a reliable product.
Another adapter that’s well-reviewed is the Geva Bluetooth 2-in-1 Adapter. This adapter is a bit more complicated than the TaoTronics model because of the variety of cables that it offers – it includes a Micro USB cable, an AUX jack, as well as audio and video inputs for your TV. This is another great option for people who have older TV models and don’t want to break the bank getting a new TV.
Some additional names for the Bluetooth adapter include Bluetooth transmitter and Bluetooth dongle.
Conclusion
Bluetooth speakers are great for connecting with your TV, and are an awesome option for almost everyone for the following reasons:
- They’re easy to use for multiple devices
- They’re portable
- They’re affordable
Bluetooth speakers can be connected with most modern TVs – you’ll just need to check that they have built-in Bluetooth capability. If they don’t already have Bluetooth accessibility, you should invest in an inexpensive Bluetooth adapter. This allows you to link the AUX input on your TV to the Bluetooth without spending too much money.
