Bluetooth speakers are mainly used for listening to music, however, these versatile pieces of audio equipment are surprisingly versatile and can be used in ways many don’t consider. In this article, we’ll be looking at 15 exciting and unique ways to use your Bluetooth speaker that you may not have thought of. You may even save some money in the process.
The Versatility of Bluetooth Speakers
The technology behind Bluetooth speakers is relatively simple and not unlike traditional speakers. However, because they have rechargeable batteries and a built-in wireless receiver, they can be used for a lot more than just listening to music. This is owed primarily to the broad adoption of Bluetooth into source devices like phones, tablets, laptops, and even some modern turntables.
As someone who reviews these speakers for a living, I always have them lying around the house. Over time, I’ve found some truly unique ways to use them and saved hundreds of dollars too. That’s because Bluetooth speakers can often replace other home devices that you may have been considering buying.
15 Unique Ways To Use Your Bluetooth Speaker
1. Your Own White Noise Machine
For those who have trouble falling asleep in silence, white noise machines are an effective way of aiding in sleep. Dedicated white noise machines can cost up to $100 though, and the same can be achieved with a Bluetooth speaker.
Bluetooth speakers with built-in micro-SD or SD card readers can be especially useful, as you can place your white noise audio file onto the disc and then not have to play sound from your phone each night when going to sleep.
I recommend using an affordable Bluetooth speaker that be used while charging for this, as you may need to keep it plugged in overnight to prevent the battery from dying midway through the night.
2. Kitchen Assistant
Following recipes in the kitchen can leave you constantly reaching for your phone, but Bluetooth speakers can effectively be used to follow along with recipes, and with almost all modern phones providing voice assistant features you can use your voice commands to repeat steps as needed.
You can also use voice commands to set timers which will be played out the Bluetooth speaker. While phones can provide the same type of functionality, they often lack the volume needed for larger kitchens, especially when it comes to the alarms of timers.
3. Creating A Powerful Alarm Clock
There are some seriously heavy sleepers out there, to the point where standard cell phone alarms aren’t enough to wake them up. If you’re one of these supreme slumberers, you can always connect your Bluetooth speaker to your phone, so that when it’s time to wake you have the volume needed.
Similar to when using speakers as a white noise machine, your speaker is going to need to be left on overnight so it will need to support audio playback while charging. Keep in mind that this is best done with a budget Bluetooth speaker as the constant state of charge can reduce battery capacity over time.
4. Turn Your Speaker Into A Guitar Amp
Some Bluetooth speakers can double as a guitar amp. Granted, you’re going to get better sound from a dedicated guitar amp, but the performance is often sufficient for casual use with a group of friends. I’ve used the Turtlebox 2’s auxiliary input with my Ibanez Gio a few times with good results. This is typically easier to achieve on slightly larger Bluetooth speakers. Keep in mind that you may need a ¼” to 3.5mm adapter if you’re using an aux input.
5. Enhancing D&D Sessions
If you’re fond of Dungeon and Dragons sessions with friends, Bluetooth speakers can help to set the tone. Creating atmospheric playlists within your favorite streaming platform can allow you to quickly toggle between tracks for different scenarios, whether you’re exploring unknown swamps or engaging in battle, having a quality soundtrack behind you can help elevate the gameplay through increased immersion. You’ll soon be feeling the icy grip of winter’s winds as the GM leads you through your session.
6. Keeping Your Pet Company
Many animals feel more comfortable when we’re around, especially puppies who may get anxious when left alone. In the past, people would leave their radios on to keep their pets company when they left home, but home radios have mostly faded into obscurity leaving us with Bluetooth speakers as our next best option.
Since you’re likely to take your phone with you when you leave, speakers with a built-in SD card reader are best for this use. Alternatively, you can use another source device that stays at home, like a tablet.
7. Portable Gaming Audio
While Bluetooth speakers aren’t ideal for competitive gaming, they are ideal for Nintendo Switches which support direct Bluetooth connections. You can connect your Switch directly to your speaker in a matter of seconds and boost what is otherwise a rather limited amount of volume that the Switch produces. You don’t need any special features to do this either, and any Bluetooth speaker will work fine.
10. Yoga/Exercise Guide
Using your Bluetooth speaker for exercise is a great way to enhance your fitness routines, whether that’s through weightlifting or yoga. It’s especially effective for outdoor areas where you may need more volume than your cellphone can provide. You’ll be able to hear instructions clearly if you’re following a video, or you can play your favorite workout bangers to keep your motivation up.
9. Learning Instruments
There are a few ways to use a Bluetooth speaker that can help you learn to play an instrument. Wearing headphones or earbuds isn’t always the best option when trying to play along to a song or learn chords. Headphone cables can get in the way and earbuds can sometimes fall out when moving around. Some speakers even feature karaoke functions that let you plug in your guitar and play along with the track, helping you refine your skills.
10. Bird Calls
Whether you’re a seasoned twitcher or a garden birder, a Bluetooth speaker is a great way to invoke bird responses in the field. I would frequently find myself out in the middle of nowhere targeting a certain species and not having the volume output needed from my phone.
I started using the JBL Flip as a way of increasing my call range, and it works fantastically! You’ll be sure to have the birds responding more than 50 feet away. You don’t need an excessively loud or large Bluetooth speaker for this, and even the recent Clip 5 works great for this.
Just load up your favorite bird call app, or use the Xeno Canto database for free access to bird calls (can be a little tricky to navigate on mobile).
11. Hunting and Tracking
Similar to birding, Bluetooth speakers can be used for tracking animals and even hunting. By using it to play the calls of predators or game, you can give yourself an advantage in the field. This approach isn’t for everyone and may be subject to legal consideration (please check your local laws before using a Bluetooth speaker for these purposes).
Speakers used for this purpose need to be sufficiently loud and durable enough to withstand the same harsh outdoor conditions many hunters and wild animal enthusiasts have to endure.
12. Home Safety Device
Leaving your home abandoned while you’re away on holiday or out at the shops can invite would-be thieves onto your property to canvas the area. A silent home can be seen as an opportunity for these criminals. Using a Bluetooth speaker to play videos or audio of people talking can make it seem as though there are still people at home and may detract the thieves from committing a break-in.
If you’re going to be away for a longer time, you’ll want to make sure the speaker can keep playing audio when plugged in, and an SD port can be beneficial to ensuring there’s a steady loop of audio going without needing a source device.
13. Projector Audio, Anywhere
Portable projectors have become more popular in recent years. They can easily be set up just about anywhere, even in the backyard. However, audio is often a challenge as projectors don’t usually have built-in speakers. This is where Bluetooth speakers come to the party. Using a Bluetooth-supported projector, you can easily connect your speaker to the projector and use it anywhere.
Keep in mind that you’re only going to be getting audio from a single source, meaning it’s better for casual viewing. However, using a pair of speakers with TWS can give you an impressive wireless stereo solution.
14. Bedtime Stories
Whether it’s for you or your kids, Bluetooth speakers are great for bedtime stories. While nothing can replace the soft-spoken voice of a parent, sometimes we don’t have time to do it ourselves. You can even record your own stories into audio files and use the recordings to help your child fall asleep.
For adults, it can be soothing to fall asleep to gentle narration and stories are sometimes used in a similar way to white noise, to help some people fall asleep.
You don’t need anything fancy for this, and any Bluetooth speaker will do the job just fine. However, speakers that focus more on midrange clarity than strong bass tend to offer better results.
15. Emergency Alerts
For those living in areas prone to severe weather, Bluetooth speakers can be very useful in monitoring live weather events. Some mobile apps push weather alerts that can be played on the speaker. For the best results, you could use an emergency radio, some of which also double as Bluetooth speakers, however, even a regular Bluetooth speaker can be used to help you stay up to date with impending severe weather or emergencies – so you don’t need to keep checking your phone.
Conclusion
Overall, there are countless ways to use your Bluetooth speaker. They’re one of the most versatile pieces of audio equipment and can do a lot more than just play music to set the mood. These are just some of the unique ways you can use a Bluetooth speaker to enhance your usual routines.
