The 10 Best Bluetooth speakerphones  Jun 2023

There are two broad categories which Bluetooth speakerphones can fall into—these car kits are either built-in or portable. However, under each category there are many different features available that may be extremely useful or completely unnecessary depending on what you are looking to get out of the product.

• Built-in: These speakerphones can be installed in the car and are automatically turned on when your car is. Sound is transmitted through the car’s stereo system. These kits offer much greater sound quality and voice transmission, but are much more expensive than the portable alternative.

• Portable: Bluetooth speakerphones that are portable can be used in any type of car and are less expensive than built-in speakerphones. They use a base speaker that attaches to either the visor or the dashboard and can vary in size and shape to best fit your needs.  However, these units require a battery to operate so they need to be recharged frequently. If you are always changing cars and want access to your speakerphone in all of your different vehicles, a portable speakerphone is your best bet.

Important Features to Consider

• Noise Reduction and Echo Cancellation: When talking on the phone, it is important to have clear communication. Noise reduction and echo cancellation features are included in almost all Bluetooth speakerphones and they help keep outside sounds to a minimum as well as keeping acoustics under control. Multiple microphones are better than omnidirectional mics—the best Bluetooth car speakerphones use four microphones, so keep this in mind when deciding which product to buy, as these will be more expensive.

• Multipoint Pairing: Allows for two phones to be connected to a device simultaneously.

• Hands-Free Performance: One of the major points of Bluetooth technology is to be able to use your phone and make calls without being distracted from the road, and having both hands on the wheel. When picking out a model, the device should be as hands-free as it can be. If it is not, the call buttons should be large and easy to see.

• MP3 Capability: To some people, this category will not be as important as others. However, the ability to stream music through your speakers is an option that many come with. This option also allows for GPS navigation to be loud and clear so you will not miss a turn! In portable models, mp3 features allow you to take your speakerphone and music with you everywhere—some even come with a carabiner clip for easy outdoor use.

• Voice Commands: For people who text, it is also good to check out whether your model has the “text-to-talk” option, where voice commands can allow you to send and receive texts through the speakerphone itself. Google and Siri integration offers users this option.

• Built-in Motion Sensor: If a speakerphone has this, it means that the device will turn itself on and off according to your car. Once the car is on, the device will power itself up and when the car turns off, the device goes into power-saving mode.

User Friendly. A very common customer review had to do with the ease of using the product. If you are going to be switching cars throughout the day, it is best to have a speakerphone that is easy to setup and install in both cars.  People also noted that having a reliable customer service line was very helpful when it came to learning how to use their speakerphone.

Sound Quality. This was a big topic that seemed to come up as well. If you are buying the speakerphone for its speakerphone capability, it is best to go for the more expensive model that has a better microphone, and noise and echo cancellation.

Battery Life. For portable models, this is a big factor that needs to be taken into consideration. The expected talk time and standby time needs to be known, and you might want to look into buying a car charger for it. Also note whether the speakerphone needs batteries or is rechargeable via USB. Solar powered batteries are ideal if there is sufficient sunlight in your car throughout the day, but in this case, the device would have to be mounted on your visor.

• Small Bluetooth speakers are convenient for people who like to be on the go.

• Keep in mind the surface of your car. Will your portable speakerphone be able to sit comfortably on your visor or dashboard?

• Know your laws. Some states prohibit windshield mounted speakerphones.

Jabra: From 2003 until the present, this company has won awards every year for the design and innovation of its products.

Motorola: Motorola uses environment-friendly gadgets when making their products that are both great for you as well as our planet.

Supertooth: This company has been known to make great products that are available worldwide.  Their best selling Bluetooth speakerphone is the Crystal Portable Visor Bluetooth Car Kit, shown here.

Parrot: Parrot has some great products on the market right now that are sure to suit your needs.