A Bluetooth receiver is a relatively small investment that opens possibilities. Some things to look for in a Bluetooth audio receiver include audio codecs, range, and output types. Bluetooth 5.0 is a great find since it offers an impressive range and excellent audio codecs.
You also want to ensure that whatever receiver you get will output correctly to your car or stereo, depending on where you want to use it. These are our top picks.
Best Overall
Audioengine B1 Bluetooth Receiver
Sound is high quality
Great range
Lots of output options
Expensive
The Audioengine B1 music receiver has Bluetooth 5.0, aptX HD, aptX, and AAC codecs for high-quality audio. These codecs will give you CD-quality audio with minimal loss. Bluetooth 5.0 also gives you up to 100 feet of range, so you can use your phone while it plays through your home stereo. Plus, you'll get 24-bit playback and low latency, which is a fancy way of saying you get clear audio with no lag.
The B1 appeared on our Bluetooth lists when we put it in pairing mode, which is great to see from a device that costs this much. We could beam music from two rooms over through thick concrete walls on Bluetooth with no problem. This is one of the best Bluetooth audio experiences we’ve ever had in real-world use.
![Audioengine B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/gd2ZJuAGKMP7S5o_1RoX2pdm_0o=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4LW4138227__04-9df9eb26ff2443d0bcbf3b36e46df4e6.jpg)
Lifewire / Jason Schneider
The B1 has optical audio and RCA outputs, which will work with any stereo system. It also includes an impressive digital-to-analog converter, helping achieve a lower signal-to-noise ratio.
Input: Bluetooth | Output: Optical, RCA | Range: 100ft | Audio Codecs: aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC
Best Budget
Besign BE-RCA Long Range Bluetooth Audio Adapter
Great price
Very small
Bluetooth 5.0
Included cables are short
Prone to interference
If you're on a budget, we like the Besign BE-RCE long-range Bluetooth audio adapter. It has Bluetooth 5.0, aptX technology, and CD-quality sound from up to 100 feet away. The receiver is powered by micro USB and requires pressing the power button to turn it on.
Some reviewers mentioned that they'd hoped to connect a smart plug that they could power on to power on the Bluetooth receiver. That won't work with this unit. It's a minor point, but it may factor in depending on your use case.
Input: Bluetooth | Output: 3.5mm, RCA | Range: 100ft | Audio Codecs: aptX, SBC
Best Range
Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter
Low price
Solid connection and 50-foot range
Durable
Missing premium codecs
Cheap design
No digital output
The Logitech Bluetooth audio adapter has one of the best ranges in a Bluetooth receiver. We tested it and found a range of about 50 feet, 30% or more than most others. It doesn't have many other bells and whistles you might find in other receivers, but for the price, you're getting a tiny, durable little receiver that can do what it needs to do.
Our tests showed minimal dropout, even from the next room through fairly thick concrete walls.
The Logitech adapter can store up to eight different Bluetooth devices in its memory, and you can even have two connected to the receiver simultaneously. There isn't any Wi-Fi connectivity or app support.
![Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/GG4S_BJhdvrDR9Lb04hXpUkGmS4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2LW4138227__02-fca387649bcb49ab978b4b3191a1cdcb.jpg)
Lifewire / Jason Schneider
The main downside you'll find here is the lack of digital outputs. You get RCA outputs only. Add that to the SBC codec that's on board, and you'll get basic functionality and versatility. RCA and SBC are the most common output and codec, respectively, so Logitech checks many boxes. The extra range is a bonus and makes this a good pickup at a great price.
Input: Bluetooth | Output: 3.5mm, RCA | Range: 50ft. | Audio Codecs: SBC
What to Look For in a Bluetooth Audio Receiver
Portability
Would you like to hook your new Bluetooth receiver to your car stereo, cinema system, or headphones? Ensure your solution is small enough for travel if you want to bring it on the go. Additionally, check the power supply, as some units are designed to work only in cars, while others use a standard AC wall adapter or batteries.
Audio Inputs
If you’re using a Bluetooth receiver in your car, you’ll likely be OK with a 3.5mm AUX input jack. However, if you are considering hooking up your adapter to a cinema system, you might want to search for a solution that supports RCA inputs.
Audio Quality
Bluetooth isn’t always about high quality. If you want the best possible sound, search for a device supporting the AptX codec for high-quality streaming from Android phones, MacBooks, and PCs.