Bluetooth Tech Accessories have become an integral part of the wireless technology landscape. IF YOU’RE exploring the realm of wireless technology, chances are high that the connection will be facilitated through Bluetooth. Virtually every tech company has integrated support for this standard into their devices, resulting in a thriving market for accessories compatible with phones, tablets, and computers. One of the most advantageous aspects of Bluetooth accessories is their cross-device functionality. Whether transitioning from iPhone to Android or from PC to Mac, the need for a complete overhaul of accessories is eliminated.
In contrast to WiFi, Bluetooth operates effectively over short distances, rendering it ideal for devices like wireless headphones, keyboards, and mice. Contemporary iterations of Bluetooth boast enhanced power efficiency and more robust connections compared to their predecessors, making an upgrade a worthwhile consideration for slightly older tech. While an abundance of Bluetooth accessories saturates the market, we’ve curated a list of 10 indispensable essentials below, streamlining your search and saving you valuable time.
1. Tile Mate
The Tile Mate stands as a Bluetooth tracking device, designed to aid in the recovery of your possessions in the event of misplacement. Equipped with a loop, it can be conveniently fastened to a keyring or a bag zipper. Once activated, the Tile Mate’s most recent location can be accessed through Tile’s app (accessible on both iOS and Android platforms). Should it be within proximity, triggering the “ring” function will prompt the Tile Mate to emit an audible chime. Conversely, if the Tile Mate is out of reach, you’ll have a general idea of the location where it was last connected, alleviating the need for a meticulous backtrack.
2. Shure AONIC 50
Presently, a plethora of exceptional Bluetooth headphones flood the market, yet Shure’s AONIC 50s stand out as the most impressive in terms of audio quality. Among the array of over-ear headphones, these excel with an extended battery life of up to 20 hours, incorporate noise-cancelling functionality, and employ the latest iteration of Bluetooth technology.
Leveraging substantial 50mm drivers, the AONIC 50s generate an audio experience that ranks among the finest I’ve encountered across various audio equipment. Their capability spans across genres, delivering a harmonious equilibrium that allows distinct components of each track to shine through. For those dedicated music enthusiasts who have harbored reservations about wireless headphones potentially falling short of their wired counterparts, Shure’s AONIC 50s have the potential to reshape such perceptions.
3. Xbox One Controller
The Xbox One controller by Microsoft offers a comfortable grip, tailor-made for extended gaming sessions, and boasts an impressive battery life, capable of lasting numerous hours with just a pair of AA batteries. Thanks to its utilization of Bluetooth technology, you have the flexibility to link this controller to either a console or your computer (compatible with PC and Mac) for an immersive gaming experience.
4. Logitech M557 Mouse
Logitech’s M557 Bluetooth mouse has earned a unique distinction in my tech accessory collection – a product I’ve purchased multiple times. Its compact form factor, ergonomic design, and seamless cursor movement and scrolling experience make it a standout. Operating on a pair of AA batteries, the mouse exhibits remarkable longevity, requiring battery replacement only once or twice annually.
What truly sets the M557 apart and fuels my recommendation is its compatibility with Logitech’s software, accessible on both PC and Mac platforms. This software empowers users to customize button functions, enhancing user experience. For instance, a simple click of the scroll wheel can trigger actions like launching the Mac’s app grid, known as Launchpad. Additionally, tilting the scroll wheel left or right within a browser facilitates swift navigation through web history.
In appearance, Logitech’s M557 may exude simplicity, but its exceptional performance shines, even for those who may not explore its most advanced functionalities.
5. Braven BRV-Mini
For those seeking the utmost in portability for a Bluetooth speaker, look no further than Braven’s BRV-Mini. Despite its diminutive stature, measuring under five inches in height, this speaker delivers an astonishingly remarkable audio output based on my evaluation. Notably, its bass reproduction stands out as truly impressive. While immersing myself in music, the sole audio irregularity I encountered was sibilance, characterized by a sharp sound that arises when an artist enunciates words with the letter “s.”
It’s worth noting that sibilance wasn’t consistently present across all the songs I listened to, nor was it pronounced enough to be bothersome, yet it’s a factor worth considering. Braven indicates an expected playtime of approximately 12 hours per charge, a duration that aligns with my personal usage experience.
6. Edifier R1850DB Active Bookshelf Speakers
Edifier’s R185DB represents a duo of active (powered) speaker units, versatile in application, whether alongside your computer or integrated into your TV setup for a compact yet impressive home theater experience. These speakers incorporate a dual-driver configuration: a four-inch woofer, adept at handling low and midrange frequencies, and a 0.75-inch tweeter, responsible for treble frequencies. By distributing audio across these two drivers, a more finely tuned and balanced sound is achieved.
Distinguished by its expansive connectivity options, the R185DB is equipped with an array of inputs, encompassing two sets of RCA inputs, an Optical input, a coaxial input, and a dedicated subwoofer out port. Notably, the speakers also embrace Bluetooth 4.0 capability, permitting seamless wireless music streaming from your smartphone or tablet. When in search of elevated speaker quality capable of harmonizing with both your TV and turntable, while also embracing modern wireless convenience, Edifier’s R185DBs emerge as a commendable choice.
7. Satechi Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard
Satechi’s Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard stands as an excellent wireless solution, particularly suitable for individuals managing multiple computers.
This keyboard boasts a complete layout, inclusive of a numerical pad situated to the right of the alphabet keys, along with a comprehensive function row at the top. The function keys provide convenient avenues for adjusting brightness and volume on your computers, and for swiftly accessing select system settings (limited to MacOS). Powered by a rechargeable battery, Satechi’s keyboard boasts an impressive battery life, with the company citing a potential duration of up to 80 hours per charge.
The primary rationale behind my endorsement of this keyboard, derived from my firsthand experience with it, is its capacity to seamlessly pair with up to three distinct devices. Effortlessly toggling between devices is achieved through the designated “Bluetooth 1,” “Bluetooth 2,” and “Bluetooth 3” keys located to the left of the number pad. This mechanism proves considerably more streamlined and expedient compared to the process of pairing and unpairing the keyboard each time you wish to switch computers.
8. Bose TV Speaker
Bose’s TV speaker represents a compact sound bar tailored perfectly for mid-sized TVs. Measuring 23.4 inches in length, it deviates from the norm of its competitors by presenting a shorter profile, thereby capturing attention in a favorable manner.
This sound bar easily interfaces with your TV through an array of options, including HDMI, Optical Audio, or AUX cables, all without necessitating a stereo receiver. Furthermore, the inclusion of Bluetooth support enables seamless wireless music streaming from your phone, computer, or tablet.
Whether you’re hosting a lively gathering or seeking a serene ambiance while engaging in work or meal preparation, you can effortlessly link your playlist to these speakers, yielding a rich and immersive sonic experience. According to Bose, this sound bar integrates two “full-range” woofers that are strategically positioned to project outward, optimizing stereo imaging. While the sound’s tonal balance can’t be extensively customized, the sound bar offers a “dialogue” mode to accentuate speech clarity, alongside a dedicated bass button on its remote control to amplify lower frequencies.
If you’re aiming to enhance your home theater setup and introduce a wireless speaker to your living room, all within the constraints of limited space, Bose’s TV Speaker emerges as a favorable option.
9. Sony PS-LX310BT Wireless Turntable
Turntables may play analog media, but Sony’s PS-LX310BT can stream vinyl wirelessly to your headphones or speakers by pressing the “Bluetooth” button on the lower left-hand side of the deck.
This futuristic feature is one of the reasons the PS-LX310BT made the cut, but it’s not the only one. The table can play records at 33.3 and 45RPM (rotations per minute), so you can play full-length albums and singles. It has a button that raises and lowers the needle, so you don’t need to drop it yourself, and an auto-return mechanism that’ll return the tonearm back to its starting position after one side of your record is over.
The PS-LX310BT has a built-in phono preamp, so you can hook it up directly to any stereo receiver with a set of RCA (red and white) cables, and a USB out, which allows you to connect the turntable to your computer to digitize your record collection. The PS-LX310BT may not be the highest-end turntable for serious audiophiles, but its modern design and versatility make it a great choice for everybody else.
