Bluetooth speakers can be handy for the home, as they don’t require annoying wires to operate. But they can cost more money than many traditional speakers, with even the most miniature models going for hundreds of dollars on the market. You’d have to prepare your purchase based on what you are expected to spend on something of value.
Why Are Bluetooth Speakers So Expensive?
Bluetooth speakers cost more because of the unique technology they utilize. A Bluetooth speaker can work without wires, plus you can use many of the same models in one home and only use the ones you need. Some speakers are also innovative models that respond to your commands, thus making them even more expensive.
What Should You Watch?
Watch for how well your Bluetooth speaker works when you’re looking for something useful. A top-rate Bluetooth speaker can be convenient, but you must see how it functions when understanding why it costs as much as it can.
The Bluetooth Version Is Different
One reason why Bluetooth speakers are so expensive is they often use newer versions of the Bluetooth standard. The Bluetooth 5.0 standard that was released in 2016 is the current one you’ll find today. It provides many advantages over Bluetooth 4.2, the last prominent version released in 2011:
- Bluetooth 5.0 supports a bandwidth of about 2 Mbps, twice as fast as Bluetooth 4.2 can manage.
- Bluetooth 5.0 speakers can operate with less power. The feature provides a longer battery life.
- The range on a Bluetooth 5.0 device can be up to forty meters in an indoor environment, which is greater than what a Bluetooth 4.2 speaker can handle.
- The connection on a Bluetooth 5.0 speaker is more reliable.
You can expect to pay more for a Bluetooth 5.0-compliant speaker than if you were looking for something older. The design is more efficient and can handle your sounds from more places, but the extra cost is noted.
1. Waterproof Support
Many people will take their Bluetooth speakers outside for music playback. Many models are waterproof and can handle rain or even an accidental push into a pool.
Bluetooth speakers come with various waterproof levels:
- IPX4 – The speaker can handle splashes and spills.
- IPX7 – The speaker can keep working through heavy downpours or a few physical bumps.
- IP67 – The IP67 standard is similar to the IPX7 one, but an IP67 speaker is also dustproof.
- IP68 – You can take a speaker up to 1.5 meters underwater for up to thirty minutes, and it will continue to work.
You will spend more money on a Bluetooth speaker that has a higher level of waterproof support. Anything that can also float on the water will also cost extra. You can rinse off the speaker if it accidentally gets in the water, and it will still operate if you handle it well.
2. Sound Quality Capability
Another part of why Bluetooth speakers are expensive is because they can handle top-quality sounds. A Bluetooth speaker can support the aptX HD codec, for example. That codec can handle 24-bit streaming while preventing excess distortion. The system is more powerful than a traditional codec that operates with a 16-bit setup.
You’ll spend extra on aptX HD support when finding a Bluetooth speaker. But the codec only works when you’re playing music from a device that can handle the codec.
Apple does not have any products that can support the aptX HD codec, so you don’t have to pitch in some extra money for a speaker that supports the setup. Meanwhile, various Android-enabled smartphones can handle the codec.
3. Smart Assistant Functionality
Some of the more expensive Bluetooth speakers you’ll find today are intelligent assistants. These include speakers supporting the Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or innovative Siri Apple assistant programs. Other intelligent speakers can feature built-in microphones you can use for hands-free calling.
Bluetooth speakers that offer smart assistant support will cost more money on average. Third-party models may be cheaper, but they may not provide all of the latest features that you’d get from a traditional assistant program.
4. Battery Functionality
Many Bluetooth speakers come with batteries that let you transport them anywhere you want to go. You can recharge a speaker by plugging it into the proper outlet. The charging time will vary by model, but it provides a convenient approach to speakers that ensure you’ll have something portable and easy to tote anywhere.
But your speaker will cost extra if it features a rechargeable speaker. A company could charge extra for the convenience.
Most speakers will come with any charging wires or decks that they might require for use. But you could order a secondary charging set out of convenience. You could spend plenty of money on that, although the cost won’t be as dramatic as what you’re spending on the initial speaker.
5. Input Features
A Bluetooth speaker can also feature multiple inputs. Different inputs can work for cases where you need a slightly greater range than whatever the speaker provides. Some information can also help you link a speaker to a non-wireless device like a compact disc or record player. You could also connect your speaker to a television set or a smartphone via a headphone socket.
But the convenience of input will also cost money. A Bluetooth speaker with an aux-in or line-in socket will cost more to order due to the extra effort necessary for getting the speaker up and running. Be specific when finding a speaker. You have something that can handle your range, and watch for whether you want to use it with some devices in your home.
A Final Word
Bluetooth speakers are convenient for many playback needs. They are easy to secure and link, and they are very portable. But these conveniences and other features will lead to a higher price tag. Be aware of what you’re spending on a quality Bluetooth speaker when finding something you can use for playback.