How do I choose a wireless Bluetooth boombox?
When choosing a Bluetooth boombox, it comes down to size and price. If you’re looking for a very portable boombox, you’ll want to get something very compact, but remember that smaller speakers usually produce less sound and bass than larger ones. There are plenty of mini Bluetooth speakers that deliver a bigger sound than you might expect, but they do have their sonic limitations. For a lot of people, it’s a question of finding a boombox that’s not too big or too small — one that travels well but also is capable of producing good sound for its size. Finding the best wireless Bluetooth boombox also comes down to your budget.
Price can be a limiting factor. You may not want to spend $300 or more for a boombox. Luckily, there are plenty of good options in the $200 range, and some decent wireless Bluetooth boomboxes can cost less than $100. Also, certain “value” brands that sell primarily on Amazon are strongly worth considering because they do offer a lot for the money.
How can I connect a wireless Bluetooth boombox to my TV?
Well, first of all, you need a TV, video streaming device or set-top cable or satellite box that has Bluetooth. You connect a Bluetooth boombox just like you do Bluetooth earbuds: through the Bluetooth settings menu on your TV or those aforementioned devices (Apple TV, for instance, has Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to connect your AirPods).
The only issue with connecting a Bluetooth boombox to your TV is that there can be some audio-video syncing issues due to Bluetooth lag. In some cases, where your Bluetooth boombox has an audio input (a few high-end Bluetooth boomboxes even have digital audio inputs), you can use a wired connection to the speaker via the audio outputs on your TV.
Soundbars tend to use the optical or HDMI connection on your TV to get sound. Many soundbars have a Bluetooth option so you can wirelessly stream music from your phone to the soundbar.
Can Bluetooth boomboxes connect to multiple devices at once?
If you’re looking to up the volume on your box, many brands have developed interlinking technology that lets the user connect several speakers and boomboxes together. JBL, for one, offers Connect+ and PartyBoost technology that can wirelessly link different JBL products to amplify your sound. Similar technology, Bose’s SimpleSync, lets listeners connect two Bose speakers at once. Consider these technologies if you hope to upgrade your sound.
If you’re hoping that your boombox will remember several devices, many wireless Bluetooth boomboxes use what’s called “multi-pair” or “multi-point” technology. This feature allows you to easily switch between connected devices, but the exact number that can be connected at one time varies by model. If this is a feature you’re looking for, be sure to check for “multipoint” technology in the boombox’s specs.