The Best Bluetooth Receivers

Bluetooth has revolutionized the way we interact with gadgets. Bluetooth is a highly convenient, low-power and low-cost method of seamlessly linking devices for a clutter-free, wireless life.

The ubiquity of Bluetooth means that when we come across a device that doesn’t support wireless tech, it stops us in our tracks. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to stop us for long. Upgrading a non-wireless device with a Bluetooth receiver is a quick solution.

One of the most common reasons for picking up a Bluetooth receiver is to allow a wireless device to work with a laptop or desktop PC without native Bluetooth support. These devices include wireless computer mice, wireless keyboards and wireless headphones. Additionally, a Bluetooth receiver can transfer data and files between two devices easily. For example, between a smartphone and a desktop PC, or tablet and laptop.

Bluetooth receivers also allow users to add a wireless connection to home stereo systems. Anyone with a good entertainment or audio system may still be missing a Bluetooth connection. Buying one of the best Bluetooth receivers can add convenience to a setup without sacrificing the audio quality of a premium setup.

The same goes for car stereos that still use 3.5mm aux-in connections. With smartphones like the Apple iPhone 12 no longer supporting physical headphone connections (without a Lightning adapter), anyone wanting to listen to Spotify or Google Maps as they drive will benefit from a simple plug-and-play Bluetooth receiver upgrade.

While sending data across Bluetooth is handy, so is the reverse. Some Bluetooth receivers can cast data, meaning that non-wireless devices send wireless signals to speakers and other such devices. This includes televisions, desktop PCs and laptops.

To help you find the best Bluetooth receivers for your situation, we’ve rounded up our favourites below:

Just so you know, while we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections.

The Best Bluetooth Receivers

Bluetooth generations explained

As with other data transfer technologies like HDMI, USB and Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth has improved over the years. The numbers that appear after the Bluetooth name let you know which particular generation a device carries, and each generation has its own feature set.

Bluetooth 5.0: This is the latest generation of Bluetooth technology. Its most notable features are improved speeds and range and increased data transfer limits. In practice, this means that a Bluetooth 5.0 connection can send more data at speeds twice that of the previous generation. Communication between devices has low latency and audio transfers at a quality matching CD quality.

Bluetooth 4.2: Offer vastly improved data transfer limits over its previous iteration. Improved privacy and security. Features introduced to allow Bluetooth to integrate into smart home technology.

Bluetooth 4.1: Improved greater data transfer rates and better interaction with other Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth 4.0: This technology introduced a range of improvements over Bluetooth 3.0, including connection stability and transfer speed. Most of all, this generation is noted for debuting Bluetooth LE, also known as Bluetooth Smart. Bluetooth LE vastly reduces the power consumed by Bluetooth connections.

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows devices to share data over short distances using radio frequencies. Bluetooth replaces the need for a wired connection between two or more devices.

As a technology, Bluetooth has been commercially available since 1999. However, it’s only in the last decade or so that technology has become widely adopted, particularly with the rise of portable technology, such as smartphones, laptops and tablets. Bluetooth is also commonplace in smart home devices and non-portable technology, like stereos, TVs and gaming consoles.

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