Best Karaoke Machines

Buying guide for best karaoke machines

Some people love them more than others, but it's hard to deny how a good karaoke machine can bring people together for fun times. Much like finding the perfect song to sing, you'll want to find the perfect machine. Easy to use models are preferable so you can get to the fun as quickly as possible.

How and where you intend to use a karaoke machine will help you find the right one. For example, general or kids' karaoke machines offer decent audio with built-in speakers and a simple user interface for home use. To make a statement at parties, a professional machine will have better features like higher-quality audio, vocal leveling/enhancement, and possibly even a built-in screen.

If you want to find a machine quickly without getting confused about your different options, check out our karaoke machine recommendations. Our guide will give you a sense of what features and capabilities are most important depending on what kind of karaoke experience you want.

Many karaoke machines only come with one microphone. If you want to sing duets, you can buy a second mic, but make sure your chosen machine has two (or more) microphone inputs.

Types of karaoke machines

You'll find three main types of karaoke machines for sale today: home karaoke machines, professional karaoke machines, and kids’ karaoke machines.

Professional karaoke machines

Professional karaoke machines are often component-based, meaning they have separate amps/speakers, mixers, CD+G players, and so on. This means they're a bit too complex for the average home user. Professional karaoke machines also tend to cost a lot more than basic home karaoke machines. On the plus side, they have excellent audio quality and speakers loud enough to cut through a crowd.

Home karaoke machines

Home karaoke machines are intended for – you guessed it – use at home. They tend to be complete plug-and-play systems with built-in speakers, though they may or may not have screens.

While decent home karaoke machines should have good audio quality, they don't rival professional machines in that department. The market’s newest home karaoke machines usually accept audio from a range of sources, including TVs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Kids' karaoke machines

Like home karaoke machines, kids’ karaoke machines are usually all-in-one models that are ready to go as soon as they're plugged in. The main difference is that they're more durable (we all know kids aren't always careful with their belongings) and tend to be furnished with bright colors or other fun designs.

Kids’ karaoke machines are generally cheaper than other karaoke machines, but they don't always have the best audio quality.

Considerations for selecting a karaoke machine

Sound quality

The audio quality of a karaoke machine usually depends on a combination of speaker quality and microphone quality.

This varies between machines, so be sure to check manufacturer specifications carefully.

Music sources

Karaoke machines initially worked only with special CD+G discs that display lyrics as well as play audio.

While most machines still come with CD+G players built in, the majority can play music from a range of sources. This includes DVD players, televisions, laptops, and smartphones.

Ease of use

If you have a bit of gear and are tech savvy, it's not too difficult to rig your own karaoke setup by running a microphone through a set of speakers via a mixer or preamp, then using a smart TV, laptop, or tablet to play karaoke tracks via YouTube or from a CD+G disc.

However, the beauty of a home karaoke machine is that it’s a plug-and-play device. If it's not easy to use, there's no point buying a dedicated karaoke machine.

Display screen

Some karaoke machines have no screen, so they must be connected to a TV or tablet to display lyrics.

However, others come with a small (usually seven-inch) display screen built in. These units are truly self-contained, as you don't need anything other than your karaoke machine and a power supply to sing your heart out.

That said, some people find these display screens too small and would rather connect to a TV or similar device.

Vocal level boost and enhancement

It should be easy to adjust the vocal levels and the volume of the background music on your karaoke machine. That way, the singer's voice won't get drowned out by the background track if they're quiet – or vice versa if they're loud.

Some high-end karaoke machines also offer vocal enhancement that can make you sound better than you really are!

Average price of a karaoke machine

Karaoke machines range in price from well under $100 to over $1,000, but you shouldn't have to pay more than a couple of hundred dollars for a high-quality home karaoke machine – and even less if you're fine with a basic machine.

• Many kids' karaoke machines cost between $30 and $60.

• A basic to mid-range home karaoke machine should cost roughly $60 to $120, with costlier models generally having better audio quality and/or coming with a built-in screen.

• A high-end home karaoke machine can cost between $130 and $300, with the most expensive verging on professional quality.

• A professional karaoke machine can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000, depending on the quality of the gear. As mentioned earlier, this is way too much karaoke machine for most home users.

Tips

• If the microphone that comes with your karaoke machine is of poor quality, you can buy a decent one for a surprisingly low cost. In some cases, this works out to be more cost-effective than buying a karaoke machine with a high-quality mic.

• A karaoke machine's sound depends heavily on the quality of its microphone. It pays to be choosy when selecting a karaoke machine, as mic quality runs the gamut – especially with this type of product.

• Some karaoke machines come with one mic; others have two. Some machines allow you to record yourself. Others let you change the key of a song to help you sound better.

• Some people don't mind a budget-priced karaoke machine, even if they have to suffer a little feedback or an imperfect microphone. Others want more sophisticated features, such as the ability to transpose the key of a song or make a recording.

• If you want to practice singing without disturbing the whole house, look for a karaoke machine with a headphone input.

Some karaoke machines allow you adjust EQ or enhance your vocals, as well as control the volume.

FAQ

Q. Do karaoke machines have headphone inputs?

A. Surprisingly, not very many karaoke machines have headphone inputs, so if this is a feature you want, be sure to check whether the model you're considering has them before making your purchase.

Q. What does CD+G mean?

A. CD+G stands for "compact disc plus graphics." This is the format in which karaoke tracks come, at least when they're on a disc. A CD+G disc can display basic graphics alongside music when played on a compatible device. It’s the perfect format for karaoke, as it can display the lyrics in time with the song.

Q. How are karaoke machines powered?

A. Most karaoke machines run on electricity and must be plugged into a power outlet. However, some kids’ machines and bare-bones home machines are entirely battery-powered or have the option to run off either batteries or electricity.