Wi-Fi speaker vs. Bluetooth speaker: Finding the best audio experience

On the surface, Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® seem to do virtually the same thing, so it can be tricky when considering between a Wi-Fi speaker and a Bluetooth speaker. However, while they’re both wireless speakers, there are some important differences. Both use radio waves to connect devices, but Wi-Fi relies on an internet connection. Wi-Fi is a wireless signal from a network, like the one supplied by your internet router at home. Bluetooth connections work directly between paired devices, without going through a router. For example, you can have a smartphone paired directly with a smart speaker, or a smartphone paired with Bluetooth headphones.

Wi-Fi networks can connect to practically a limitless number of devices simultaneously, like your phone, tablet, gaming console, soundbar, media players, and more. Once you connect the device to the Wi-Fi network with a password, you’re good to go.

Bluetooth connections work with one active connection at a time, using a shared digital passkey between two devices. Connection can be activated with a single click once the devices are in range of each other, and they’ll stay paired until you choose to disconnect. Some devices now use multipoint Bluetooth and can switch between more than one connection without having to drop a previous connection, making it easy to switch device pairings.

Read on to learn more about the difference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when it comes to speakers.

When in the market for a speaker, you may come across strictly Wi-Fi- or Bluetooth-enabled speakers, and some models (like smart speakers) that have the ability to use both forms of wireless technology for ultimate flexibility.

What is a smart speaker, exactly? Smart speakers include a voice assistant and can stream and play music directly from the cloud using Wi-Fi in your home or Bluetooth outside the home. The Bose Portable Smart Speaker can be used anywhere you can connect to a Wi-Fi network, making it great as a versatile house speaker system, or as a carry-anywhere Bluetooth device that connects to your mobile phone or tablet.

Dedicated Bluetooth speakers are truly portable, so you can take them anywhere, and the speakers connect to your phone or another device to stream content. The Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker and Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker both feature a long-lasting rechargeable battery, and both are dust and water resistant, making them perfect portable Bluetooth speakers for any outdoor activity, in any weather.

The SoundLink Max Bluetooth boombox can play music for up to 20 hours, making it the perfect indoor or outdoor party speaker. It also features a 3.5 mm AUX input, so you can connect a digital media player or DJ deck for limitless audio options, all with powerful stereo sound and deep bass.

If you’re in the market for a speaker and not sure if you should go for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, here are some pros and cons of each to help you decide.

Wi-Fi has greater range, typically up to 100 feet (30 metres). If your internet router is in your living room broadcasting the Wi-Fi signal, you may still be able to connect outside in the garden or in a different room inside the house.

Bluetooth range is shorter than Wi-Fi, around 30 feet (9 metres). Understanding Bluetooth range and its limitations is key to a good experience.

Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can suffer from interference and reduced range if there are walls or other solid barriers between the devices and their sound sources. The denser the material, the more likely it is to weaken the signal. However, once you know this, it’s easy to position your devices for maximum signal strength.

You can have multiple devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and easily have a multi-room sound system with everything active at once. Bluetooth devices pair to one other device at a time but can be switched between devices. The Bose App makes it easy to manage your Bluetooth connections with a few simple taps.

Price is another factor to consider. A Bluetooth speaker generally costs a little less than a smart speaker with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but there’s a wide range of speakers available from Bose to suit any budget.

To sum up, if you’re mainly planning on listening to music at home, a Wi-Fi speaker like the Portable Smart Speaker may be best for you. If you like to take your music with you and run the vibe with friends when you’re at a park, at the beach, or anywhere else where there’s no Wi-Fi, then a portable Bluetooth speaker like the SoundLink Max is perfect.

If you want the best of both worlds and ultimate flexibility, there’s no need to choose between a Wi-Fi speaker and a Bluetooth speaker. Why not choose a smart speaker with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity instead? You could also choose a Wi-Fi-enabled model for use inside the house and a Bluetooth model for outdoors. That way, you’ll always have the amazing sound quality Bose is famous for at your fingertips, wherever you are.

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