We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
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Nothing livens up a party like singing and dancing, making a smart karaoke machine a must-have before your next get-together. Smart karaoke machines let you find your favorite tunes and sing along, either competitively or collaboratively, with friends and family.
Just like Bluetooth portable speakers, smart karaoke machines come in a wide range of options to choose from. However, the best karaoke machine ultimately depends on the features you’ll get the most out of. Many models offer high-quality sound, but do you want more connectivity options? More accessories? Vocal effects?
We’ll dive into everything you should consider before purchasing a smart karaoke machine, as well as give you our top picks for every budget. The best options, such as the Ikarao Break X2 Smart Karaoke Machine, have advanced technology for producing top-notch sound quality and premium features for the ultimate karaoke experience.
Best of the Best
Power Source: Rechargeable Battery/AC Electric Power | Connector Type: Dedicated/Bluetooth | Number of Voice Effects: 8 | Number of Microphones: 2
The Ikarao Break X2 Smart Karaoke Machine is the ultimate unit for singing sessions with friends and family at parties. It’s an all-in-one karaoke machine with a compact design for portability and a 10.1-inch HD touch-screen display that makes it easy to follow lyrics on-screen.
It includes two wireless microphones that can connect to the unit via Bluetooth and be stored and charged simultaneously in the built-in microphone slots. Sound quality is excellent thanks to advanced technology that reduces resonance distortion, improves bass and delivers clearer sound. The rechargeable battery offers up to eight hours of playtime, making it suitable for outdoor gatherings, and the pre-installed YouTube and Karaoke apps offer access to thousands of songs and videos.
Those looking for thumping bass and crystal-clear audio quality won’t be disappointed with this unit. The tablet is user-friendly, making it easy to search and play music, and multiple connectivity options mean you can hook it up to DJ equipment, guitars and other devices.
Best Bang for the Buck
Power Source: Rechargeable Battery/AC Corded Electric | Connector Type: Dedicated/3.5mm/Bluetooth | Number of Voice Effects: 8 | Number of Microphones: 2
Those who want a portable yet reliable smart karaoke machine will find plenty to love about the Ikarao Shell S2. This 140-watt unit has an ultra-compact design and delivers impressive sound quality with thumping bass.
This karaoke machine features advanced DSP chips and crossover technology that produce balanced sound and reduce noise and echoing at any volume or frequency. With the noise reduced, it allows for a crystal-clear live performance. It comes with two wireless microphones and offers eight voice enhancements along with additional EQ adjustments, helping singers achieve the perfect sound while in the spotlight. The lyrics display comes with a sox-month subscription to KaraFun, which gives you access to more than 50,000 songs, and the battery lasts up to eight hours on a full charge.
The Ikarao Shell S2 is the best option for anyone who wants something portable for singing with friends and family at outdoor gatherings. It comes with everything you need to get started and have duet competitions or collaborations, and it offers multiple connectivity options for other equipment besides TVs.
Best for Big Parties and the Outdoors
Power Source: Rechargeable Battery/AC Corded Electric | Connector Type: 6.35 mm | Number of Voice Effects: 3 | Number of Microphones: NA
The JBL PartyBox 310 doubles as a high-quality portable Bluetooth speaker and smart karaoke machine, making it one of our more versatile picks. With a high-quality JBL Signature sound profile, the JBL PartyBox 310 is among the best portable speakers for listening or karaoke singing at the park, beach or backyard.
It delivers 240 watts of powerful JBL sound and features a durable, IPX4-rated build, making it an excellent option for outdoor listening. The lightshow moves with the beat, delivering strobing effects to create a party atmosphere, and the battery lasts up to 18 hours on a full charge. The PartyBox app offers settings that let users switch tracks, customize the light show and take complete control of karaoke features.
Although the JBL PartyBox 310 is primarily a Bluetooth speaker, it also supports microphones and offers various smart karaoke features accessible from your smartphone. Additionally, its powerful sound output makes it the best option for large outdoor gatherings.
Best for Living Room TV Karaoke
Power Source: AC Corded Electric | Connector Type: HDMI eARC | Number of Voice Effects: 6 | Number of Microphones: 2
The Vizio MicMe 2.1 Karaoke Soundbar is a simple solution for anyone who wants to sing karaoke in their living room. This soundbar doubles as a karaoke extension and can be controlled with your TV remote or through your smartphone with the Vizio app.
It connects easily with TVs via HDMI eARC and supports audio-enhancing technologies, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, for an immersive listening experience. It includes two wireless microphones featuring a premium grey fabric and a new Satin White for a modern look. The free MicMe Karaoke by Stingray app provides access to more than 85,000 songs, and you can use other streaming apps, such as Apple Music, for karaoke playback.
If you want to kill two birds with one stone and get high-quality sound for your entertainment setup along with a capable karaoke machine, the Vizio MicMe 2.1 Karaoke Soundbar is the way to go. It’s easy to set up and one of the more user-friendly options because you can use your existing TV, equipment and apps to control music playback and adjust karaoke settings.
Best for Vocal Effects
Power Source: AC Corded Electric | Connector Type: 3.5mm | Number of Voice Effects: 6 | Number of Microphones: 1
The Singtrix Portable Karaoke Machine is the best choice for those who want a complete portable karaoke machine with all accessories to get started right out of the box. This all-in-one unit delivers a fantastic live performance and features more than 375 effects to achieve the perfect sound.
The studio controller offers one of the best karaoke experiences, letting you spin the dial and press the HIT button to create impressive vocal harmonies instantly. It features access to YouTube’s music library, meaning you won’t have to pay for an additional app subscription to have fun karaoke sessions with friends. The custom 40W 2.1 stereo speaker with built-in subwoofer fills rooms with concert-quality sound, and the 9-foot-long microphone cable lets you move around freely as you sing.
The plug-and-play setup makes this smart karaoke machine an appealing option for less tech-savvy users. Additionally, multiple connectivity options give users the freedom to tune the voice to the chords played on musical instruments. It’s a versatile karaoke bundle and the best choice for those who want plenty of vocal effects to experiment with.
We considered various smart karaoke machines and selected our top picks based on features, specs and customer reviews. We also considered accessories, ease of setup and overall sound quality. The best smart karaoke machines include microphones, multiple connectivity options and rechargeable batteries for portability.
Maximum wattage indicates the maximum electric power a karaoke machine can use. It typically helps produce a clearer, more powerful sound, which is a must-have for outdoor sessions or for performing in large rooms. Higher wattage allows for higher volume and less strain on the amplifier, but it isn’t a direct indicator of sound quality on its own.
Speakers with woofers, typically in the 6.5- to 10-inch range, provide the best sound quality and booming bass, making them suitable for large rooms or outdoor performance. However, for karaoke sessions in reduced areas, cheaper models with smaller drivers work just fine in most cases.
An adjustable EQ helps you fine-tune your sound and make your vocals clearer. It allows you to raise or reduce bass, mids and highs to find the best sound possible, which depends on the song you’re playing and the acoustics of the room where you’re performing.
Wired microphones offer a stable connection, ensuring your vocals always sound on point and that sound quality never lags. However, they’re more restrictive than wireless microphones, which let you move about freely within a reasonable range. Many karaoke machines support both wired and wireless microphones, but if you’re looking to strictly use a wired mic, it’s a good idea to look at the connectivity specification to ensure it’s compatible.
Our top picks: Power and audio quality
Larger smart karaoke machines usually feature speakers with large subwoofers, which allow for more power and volume, as well as clearer sound quality in most cases. However, comprehensive machines are usually designed for home use only. Luckily, there are many compact options with rechargeable batteries that allow you to set them up virtually anywhere, including parks, beaches and patios.
Although many smart karaoke machines are described as compact, they’re still bulky because of their internal components. If you want to use your karaoke machine somewhere outdoors, a model with wheels and an adjustable handle will let you transport it more easily.
Smart karaoke machines with rechargeable batteries generally offer up to eight hours of battery life, with some more robust units lasting up to 18 hours. However, battery life greatly varies as it depends on power usage, which can be affected by volume, features and other factors.
Our top picks: Portability and battery life
Most smart karaoke machines support Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to connect wireless microphones. You can also pair your smartphone and access music from apps such as YouTube, Spotify and other proprietary karaoke apps. Additionally, you can adjust EQ settings and other settings through your smartphone.
Smart karaoke machines without support for wireless headphones have auxiliary jacks where you can hook them up. Less commonly, some older machines have USB ports as well.
Much like Bluetooth speakers, smart karaoke machines usually have onboard playback controls as well as individual microphone controls for managing reverb, echo, sensitivity and more.
Smart karaoke machines with touch-screen displays let you effortlessly search for music and videos and watch lyrics right on the same screen. This eliminates the need to hook it up to your TV and lets you use it in a more traditional way even if you’re outdoors.
Our top picks: Connectivity and ease of use
Lights are a staple of any karaoke experience, meaning nearly all karaoke machines have them. In most models you can customize the light show to follow the rhythm, helping create a party environment. You can also often customize colors and other effects.
There are generally six sound effects that can be adjusted to make your performance sound better:
Generally, most smart karaoke machines only allow one or two microphones to be connected simultaneously. However, with a mixer you can often configure your setup to support more than two microphones. The only caveat is that they’re sold separately and might not always work with your system.
Our top picks: Fun features
A. Smart karaoke machines vary in price depending on compatibility with devices and instruments, features and sound quality. However, most units cost between $200 and $500, and there are models with powerful, high-quality sound and premium features, such as built-in touch-screen displays for following lyrics and watching videos.
A. Most smart karaoke machines are versatile in accessing songs and videos. Many allow you to use YouTube or streaming apps you’re already subscribed to, such as Spotify or Apple Music. However, for a more immersive, traditional karaoke experience, many machines have proprietary apps that let you access thousands of karaoke songs and videos, complete with effects, easy-to-follow lyrics and other neat karaoke features to play around with.
