What Is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology designed to transmit audio, control devices, and transfer small amounts of data. It operates within a range of approximately 33 feet (10 meters), typically for Class 2 devices.
Common applications include connecting headphones, keyboards, game controllers, mice, microphones, and other peripherals to computers, laptops, and mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.
Bluetooth is used to:
- Replace cables
- Shares files between devices
- Sync data between devices (such as phone contacts)
- Share Internet access between devices
Check out my Recommended Bluetooth Adapter
below to upgrade your Bluetooth dongle.
Why Was Bluetooth Created?
Bluetooth was introduced to eliminate the need for cables, offering a wireless alternative to the cumbersome RS-232 interface. This innovation allowed seamless wireless connections between phones and devices such as computers, headsets, and car audio systems.
What Is a Piconet?
A Bluetooth network is referred to as a piconet, where one central device can connect to up to seven surrounding devices. The exact number of devices supported may vary based on specific implementations.
What Device Is Needed to Connect a Computer to a Bluetooth Device?
If your computer has built-in Bluetooth support, it can easily connect to Bluetooth devices, a feature more commonly found in laptops. Alternatively, a USB Bluetooth adapter provides a reliable solution for computers without built-in capability, such as the one we recommend below.
What Is Pairing?
Pairing with a device is the act of securely confirming the identity of another device to allow data access or control.
Some devices use access codes to prevent unauthorized connections, ensuring the identity of the connecting device. However, product designers sometimes omit this access-code step to enhance user experience.
Once devices are paired, they may be in a connected or disconnected state. Pairing simply confirms mutual identity between two devices and does not indicate whether they are currently connected. You can think of pairing as selecting trusted devices that can access and control your device's data.
What Are Bluetooth Profiles?
Bluetooth profiles are collections of additional Bluetooth features or functionalities that devices can optionally support.
Popular Bluetooth profiles include:
| Profile | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) | High-Quality Stereo Sound for headsets, hearing aids, car audio, voice recording |
| Headset Profile (HSP) | Low-Quality Mono Sound for headsets |
| Hands-free Profile (HFP) | Low-Quality Mono Sound for hands-free operation of mobile phones |
| Human Interface Device Profile (HID) | Mice, keyboards, joysticks, game controllers, and remotes |
|
Audio/ |
Remotely control audio/ |
| File Transfer Profile (FTP) | Share and manage files |
What Are Bluetooth Codecs?
A Bluetooth audio codec is a hardware or software algorithm used for compressing and decompressing an audio stream to find a compromise between audio quality, bandwidth usage, and latency.
High bandwidth usage (bitrate) combined with a lousy signal can result in skipping or distorted audio.
On the other hand, a high latency (slow) codec would delay audio for video game voice-chat or movies.
Popular Bluetooth audio codecs include:
| Codec | Max Bitrate | Bit Depth | Max Frequency | Developed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBC (A2DP Default) | 345 kbps | 16-bit | 48 kHz | Bluetooth Special Interest Group |
| LC3 (Bluetooth Low Energy's SBC successor) | N/A | Up to 32-bit | 48 kHz | Bluetooth Special Interest Group |
| aptX | 384 kbps | 16-bit | 48 kHz | Qualcomm |
| aptX LL (low latency) | 352 kbps | 24-bit | 48 kHz | Qualcomm |
| aptX HD | 576 kbps | 24-bit | 48 kHz | Qualcomm |
| aptX Adaptive | 420 kbps | 24-bit | 48 kHz | Qualcomm |
| FastStream (SBC with mic support) | 212 kbps | 48-bit | 48 kHz | Qualcomm |
| AAC | 320 kbps | 24-bit | 44.1 kHz | Various |
| LDAC | 990 kbps | 24-bit | 96 kHz | Sony |
| Scalable Codec | 512 kbps | 24-bit | 96 kHz | Samsung |
What Is Bluetooth Low Energy?
Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE or BLE) is distinct from classic Bluetooth. It is optimized for low-energy applications such as sensors and beacons for maximum battery life and power consumption.
In early 2020, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group announced that Bluetooth LE would support broadcasting audio to multiple devices and support hearing aids.
How Does Bluetooth Differ From Wi-Fi?
Bluetooth is more energy-efficient than Wi-Fi but has much lower bitrates. Additionally, Wi-Fi supports different communication protocols, which are designed for Internet and local area network access.
What Causes Bluetooth Interference?
| Cause of Bluetooth interference | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| High Wi-Fi transmission power | Reduce the transmission power of your wireless router. |
| Near Wi-Fi router | Signal strength increases as you approach the competing wireless transmitters; move further from wireless routers. |
| Near multiple Wi-Fi routers | Multiple routers may be taking up too much of the wireless spectrum; move further from wireless routers. |
| Too far from the source | The signal will weaken as you get further from the connected device; move the devices closer together. |
| Obstacles in path | Signals will become weaker or blocked if they have to go through obstacles such as walls; move the devices to a location in which they have a line of sight between each other. |
| Other wireless devices nearby | Move away from other wireless devices which will compete over the same spectrum. |
| Microwave oven running nearby | Get a new microwave with better shielding or move further from the microwave. |
Can You Amplify a Bluetooth Signal?
You can extend the range of a Bluetooth signal by using a Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver. These are typically designed to support specific audio profiles and codecs, which will only help particular use cases.
Is Bluetooth Secure?
Modern Bluetooth versions (version 2.1 and newer) use public-key cryptography to encrypt communications. Security vulnerabilities continue to be discovered over time.
Like most technologies, using up-to-date hardware and software on your devices will reduce any chance of eavesdropping and other attacks. You'll need to evaluate your acceptable level of risk when deciding how to use wireless technologies.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology released a Guide to Bluetooth Security to help the more at-risk organizations create a good security process and understanding.
Recommended Bluetooth Adapter: TP-Link UB500
- Works great with Windows 11/10/8.1/7 for Desktop, Laptop, PS5/PS4/Xbox Controller
- Supports Bluetooth 5.0/5.3
Related Bluetooth Topics
- Bluetooth versions - Learn about the different versions of Bluetooth.
- Find out how to set up Bluetooth on Windows 10 - Everything you need to know to set up Bluetooth on Windows 10.
- Find out how to fix common Bluetooth problems on Windows 10 - A troubleshooting guide for fixing Bluetooth problems on Windows 10.