When we need two devices to communicate, Bluetooth is our go-to and has been for the last two decades. While Bluetooth is a precious function we increasingly take for granted, what exactly is Bluetooth? You may be wondering what it is and how it works in today’s increasingly connected world, and this guide provides clear explanations.
Good to know: love the great outdoors? Check out the best rugged Bluetooth speakers to take with you on your next adventure.
What Is Bluetooth?
Named after a 10th-century Scandinavian King, Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsson, who united Denmark and Norway, the history of modern-day Bluetooth traces back to 1994.
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that uses short-range radio frequencies to enable communication between nearby devices. Unlike Wi-Fi and cellular signals, Bluetooth uses lower-powered radio waves. While this limits its range to devices that are in close proximity (typically 10 to 20 meters / 33 to 65 feet), it also keeps power consumption low, making it ideal for devices that rely on batteries, such as smartphones, headphones, headsets, and additional peripherals.
Ericsson, a Swedish telecommunications giant, saw the promise of using Bluetooth as a wireless connection to connect earphones with mobile devices. In 1998, five industry leaders (Ericsson, Nokia, IBM, Toshiba, and Intel) joined forces and created the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) to oversee the development and licensing of Bluetooth technologies.
Bluetooth is now an electronics “standard,” which means that manufacturers wanting to include this feature have to incorporate specific requirements into their electronic devices. These specifications allow the devices to recognize and interact with other gadgets that use Bluetooth technology. Currently, there are three types of Bluetooth classes available:
- Class 1 – maximum regulatory range of 100 meters (330 feet). But this comes at the cost of higher power consumption. It’s primarily used in industrial settings.
- Class 2 – the most common and retains the original standard of 10 to 20 meters (33 to 65 feet).
- Class 3 – the least powerful and generally only good for very small distances of 1 meter (3.3 feet).
Note: the range achieved depends on both devices in the connection. If you have a Class 1 device connecting to a Class 2 device, the maximum range will be limited to Class 2’s capabilities.
Tip: turn your Amazon Echo into a Bluetooth speaker.
Types of Bluetooth
Currently, you have two choices when it comes to Bluetooth: Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR) and Low Energy (LE). It’s important to note that pairing is always necessary for BR/EDR connections.
On the other hand, LE devices don’t always require a trusted relationship; it is not always a requirement. Introduced with Bluetooth 4.0, Bluetooth LE is great for electronics such as wearables, headphones, or other low-power devices, where battery life is at a premium. As of today, there are five different versions of Bluetooth:
Tip: need a Bluetooth tracker but have an Android phone? Check out the best AirTag alternatives.
Bluetooth Classic (versions 1.0 – 3.0)
When Bluetooth 1.0 first launched, it was capped at data speeds of less than 1 Mbps, with a range no greater than 10 meters (33 feet). The first phone to launch on the market boasting the functionality was the Ericcson T39. Bluetooth 2.0 took things up a notch by increasing speeds of 2 to 3 Mbps.
Bluetooth 3.0 takes advantage of the 802.11 radio protocol, which allows the Bluetooth protocol to piggyback on a Wi-Fi signal when transferring large packets of data, including music, images, and videos. This helped increase data transfers up to 24 Mbps.
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth 4.0 added Bluetooth Energy (BLE) mode, also known as Bluetooth Smart. While Bluetooth 4.0 can achieve high speeds of up to 25 Mbps, BLE prioritizes power efficiency over speed. With a lower transmission rate of 1 Mbps, BLE is ideal for smaller devices, like wearables and IoT sensors. This allows them to stay connected for longer periods without needing frequent recharges.
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5 is a version that can potentially achieve a longer range between devices than previous versions. It also offers an improvement on the low-energy side by increasing the data rate. It can work in various transmission ranges, including 125 Kbps, 500 Kbps, 1 Mbps, and 2 Mbps.
The reduction in data rate had the positive effect of being able to increase the data range to a whopping 240 meters (800 feet), although you may not be able to currently experience this due to imposed regulations. Conversely, the faster transmission of 2 Mbps is significantly more limited and best suited for short-range use.
The latest version is Bluetooth 5.3, which made its debut in 2021. It promises connections with less interference, greater connection security, and better quality.
FYI: experiencing audio issues on Android? Try disabling Absolute Bluetooth Volume.
How Does Bluetooth Technology Work?
When they are nearby, Bluetooth-enabled devices can detect each other. Bluetooth leverages 79 distinct radio frequencies within the 2.4 GHz spectrum band. While Wi-Fi also utilizes this band, it offers enough space for both wireless technologies to coexist seamlessly.
To establish a connection, Bluetooth-enabled devices select one of the 79 available frequencies at random. After pairing, they constantly switch between these frequencies, hopping many times per second. This rapid succession actively mitigates interference from Wi-Fi and other Bluetooth devices, ultimately ensuring a stable connection.
A group of Bluetooth devices sharing information creates a temporary mini computer network called a piconet, which allows devices to join or leave at any time. In a piconet, one device assumes the leadership role as the master, coordinating communication within the network. Other devices, known as slaves, follow the master’s instructions. The network can accommodate two to eight devices that are connected and communicating at any given time.
The process of connecting two Bluetooth devices together is known as “pairing.” Typically, devices broadcast their presence to one another if their Bluetooth mode is on. Once the master device displays the available device names, users can simply choose the one they want to connect to. For added security, some connections may require entering a pairing code to verify you’re connecting to the intended device.
Tip: learn how to set up and manage Bluetooth devices in Windows by checking out this guide.
Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi
Most of the devices we rely on for daily use, such as laptops and smartphones, come with Bluetooth, as well as Wi-Fi. Although both are wireless forms of communication, the two standards differ in terms of purpose and capabilities.
The biggest difference is that Bluetooth allows for short-range data transfers between nearby devices. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, allows devices to link to the Internet so that they can access online content and services. Wi-Fi boasts a much longer range, typically reaching up to 100m (330ft) and up, depending on the router. At the same time, Wi-Fi offers significantly faster data transfer speeds, while Bluetooth lags in speed.
As for power consumption, Bluetooth is designed for low-power use, which is why it’s ideal for battery-powered devices. In contrast, Wi-Fi uses more power to maintain a connection and transmit data.
Good to know: learn how to fix Bluetooth audio delay issues in Windows.
Why Use Bluetooth?
At its core, Bluetooth provides a cable-free connection between your devices, but it also boasts some additional benefits:
- Extensive availability – Bluetooth is practically everywhere these days, from smartphones and laptops to speakers and headsets. You’ll find the functionality onboard any new device you purchase today, whether you want it or not, so you may as well give it a try.
- Relatively secure – Bluetooth is not immune to vulnerabilities and breaches. It’s generally considered safe for transferring basic data. Check out our recommendations for staying secure while using Bluetooth.
- Requires little power to operate – Bluetooth is a battery-friendly technology. It uses significantly less power than Wi-Fi, allowing you to keep your devices running for extended periods without needing to recharge.
While Bluetooth is a solid wireless technology, it’s not immune to issues. Check out our guide on what to do if Bluetooth will not connect. Alternatively, these suggestions will help resolve the Bluetooth metered connection error in Windows.
Image credit: Freepik. Images by Crystal Crowder.
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