Should You Get a Smart Speaker or a Bluetooth Speaker(2020)? Points That Buyers Need to Consider While Buying Bluetooth or Smart Speakers, along with Some of the Best Options Available in the Market.

If we were to mention the history of wireless speakers, we would have to go back almost a century, when listening to music had just become mainstream via a radio. This road to wireless technology, especially in the music industry, sure was an intriguing one. A thing of the past now, but it would be interesting to know how we came to today’s smart or wireless Bluetooth speakers from those component stereos, cassette desks, boomboxes to audio CD players!

We’re sure the millennials reading this post would remember how it used to be a big deal and a fashion statement when you were seen with those large Sony headphones around your ears, tied by a long wire, going all around to your waist, finally to the Walkman box; the nostalgia is real! But we’re here to talk about things of the present – Bluetooth and smart speakers. Have you been in a dilemma about which one of these to get? We’re here to help you decide! Hopefully, you would have your answer by the end of this post.

Here are some points you must consider before making the right choice for yourself!

Be it for listening to music when you’re taking your morning shower, or when you want to listen to those 80’s tracks while gulping down that sweet-sweet cuppa tea, a wireless speaker definitely proves to be of great utility. And not to forget, when you’re with your gang and just want to sing along to that latest beat by Drake, your mobile phone speakers can’t do justice to that!

Now, if you just want to listen to music and want to get wireless speakers for yourself, Bluetooth speakers would serve your fine! But if you want something more, then you need to read the next point.

Bluetooth speakers, as their name indicates, are just simple speakers, which serve as your miniature stereo devices. You can only listen to music on these, and that’s just about it. However, if you want something close to Iron man’s personal AI assistant Jarvis in the real-life, then that thing is a smart speaker! Playing music is just one of the many amazing things it can do for you.

From setting reminders and appointments to providing you with daily news updates, witty jokes, it basically is your own little AI assistant! They come with built-in voice control, so all you have to do it call their names, and they will be ready to serve you!

There is a catch, though, which takes us to our next point.

While Bluetooth speakers work on batteries. A good quality one would last anywhere between 8-10 hours, and in some products even more. For smart speakers, you require an active internet connection, and you have to keep them plugged in at all times for these to work!

Although there are some products which offer the best of both, i.e., a portable smart speaker, but these are few in the market, and can be quite costly, which takes us to our next point while deciding which one to go for, i.e., the price point.

The range for Bluetooth speakers start from a few hundred rupees and go up to several thousand Rupees for regular ones, which are used for daily purposes. Quality smart speakers’ range starts from upwards of Rs. 2,000-3,000 and can go as high as Rs. 30,000 – 40,000 for speakers of some of the top companies, such as Sony and Bose. So it really comes down to what your budget is, and if you’re willing to shell out a bit more to get Bluetooth ones, smart ones, or portable smart ones.

As Bluetooth speakers come with the prime function to service quality music, they generally come with a slightly higher volume levels, and a better low-high range as well. On the other hand, smart speakers' volume levels aren't that high. So, for someone, who only wants to get a speaker for listening to high-volume music and bass, getting a Bluetooth speaker would be a better choice.

As smart speakers work on an internet connection and require you to give them commands, the smart speaker is continuously listening for you to ask it to do something. Although this is the prime functionality for these speakers, this obviously raises the concern for privacy for many users. Though companies only claim to use this data for improving their voice-input function and nothing else. However, if you still feel skeptical, many options come with a mic-off button, and would only work when you switch it on and then say something, so one can go for those options as well.

Those looking for a cheaper option of Bluetooth speakers can go for these gorgeous looking speakers. These are feature-packed for such a price, coming with deep-bass sound and dual-equalizer technology. These come with the battery size of 480 mAh and would play for about 4-5 hours after a full charge (It takes around 2.5 hours to full charge). However, the best thing about this speaker is the in-built mic, which allows you to talk hands-free as well. You can purchase these portable Bluetooth speakers from Amazon for Rs. 799 (MRP Rs. 1,999).

Now, these are one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers available in the market! These come with a huge 3000 mAh battery, which can last up to 8 hours. These will also suit you if you’re having a small get-together and want to play some music in the background. These also are water and splash-resistant, with a rugged built quality. And not to forget their ear-smashing bass as well. You can buy these portable speakers from Amazon for Rs. 2,999 (MRP 7,999).

From the house of Google itself, this is the best google-assistant based smart speakers you can have! It can work with up to 6 different users, each one having their own personalised settings. You can set daily reminders, ask any questions, and pair it with other smart appliances in your home as well. All you need to say is, “Hey, Google!”. The charcoal black version is available on Flipkart for Rs. 3,899 (MRP Rs. 4,999).

Alexa comes from the house of Amazon, another tech giant that you can rely upon blindly! It can also do almost everything you ask it to do, be it setting your reminders, providing you with the latest happenings around the world, getting your phone recharged, pay your utility bills, so on and so forth. Echo Dot is available for purchase on Amazon India for Rs. 3,499 (MRP 4,499).