Bluetooth Speakers Vs. Smart Speakers
A smart speaker is a speaker that can be connected to the internet and respond to voice commands. It can stream music, answer questions, control smart home devices, or even keep you up-to-date on the news or weather. A Bluetooth speaker is a portable wireless speaker that pairs with your mobile device via Bluetooth technology. It’s named as such because it does not need a wired connection to do this. These two types of speakers differ in their applications and use cases. Nevertheless, both are often confused with each other under the name of “wireless speaker” and which one to choose.
Things to Compare in Them Before Making a Decision
There are many options for wireless audio, so it’s helpful to know how they differ. Knowing the difference between Bluetooth speakers and smart speakers can help you decide which type of speaker will work best for you.
Portability
Bluetooth speakers are portable, but smart speakers are not. Bluetooth speakers can be carried in your pocket, backpack, or purse. Smart speakers are too large for this. The only way to take a smart speaker with you is if it is built into your car’s dashboard or console. This means that you will have to plan ahead of time where you want to use the speaker and carry it there yourself. Smart speakers are generally larger and heavier than Bluetooth speakers, so if portability is important to you, you should probably go with a Bluetooth speaker.
Sound Quality
While Bluetooth speakers and connected smart speakers will play music from your phone or tablet, there are essential differences in sound quality between the two types of devices. Bluetooth speakers have better bass than connected smart speakers and often offer more treble. Connected smart speakers can be more expensive than Bluetooth speakers. Still, they also tend to provide better sound quality overall because they can use larger drivers and other components that make them larger than a typical Bluetooth speaker.
Features
It can be hard to know what features are most important if you are in the market for a new speaker, whether for your home or to take on the go. Bluetooth and smart speakers are great options for listening to music, but they offer different features that may appeal more to different people. If you are looking for a Bluetooth speaker, you can expect it to have some basic features like an aux input, charging port, and water resistance. You will also likely find some bonus features like bass boost and battery life of up to 24 hours. If you want a smart speaker, you will get all of the above plus the added benefit of voice control with your favorite services such as Spotify or Google Play Music.
Battery Life
Smart speakers generally have longer battery life than Bluetooth speakers because they don’t require an external power source. They draw all their electricity from the wall outlet. However, since most smart speakers are not portable and designed to be played outside, this isn’t a huge deal. If you plan to take your speaker on camping trips or other outdoor excursions, then a Bluetooth speaker is probably better for you.
Price
Price is one of the most important factors when deciding which product to buy. Bluetooth speakers are generally cheaper than smart speakers, but that does not necessarily mean they are worth it. The main reason why Bluetooth speakers cost less is that they don’t have any extra features beyond playing music. Smart speakers, on the other hand, can do so much more than just play music they can control your lights, order items from Amazon, play games, and more.
Ease Of Use
The main difference between Bluetooth speakers and smart speakers is that Bluetooth speakers require a phone or computer to stream music, while smart speakers have built-in voice assistants and apps that can tell you the weather or play your favorite song without needing anything else besides power. Smart speakers also generally have better sound quality than Bluetooth ones but are more expensive.
Connectivity
Bluetooth speakers connect directly to your smartphone via Bluetooth technology, while connected smart speakers connect using Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth to access streaming services like Spotify or Pandora without being directly connected to your phone or tablet. Some connected smart speakers can also connect via Bluetooth, which allows you to stream music from your phone without having to connect it directly with Wi-Fi first; just make sure that option is available when shopping around.
Conclusion
While there are many similarities between Bluetooth speakers and smart speakers, they offer distinctly different experiences. As a result, you should make a decision based on your individual preferences. These products are inexpensive and generally offer excellent value for money. If they both do the same thing, then the main deciding factor will likely be their cost and ease of use.
