Which is more convenient, and which delivers better sound?
The key difference between Aux andBluetoothis that one is wireless and the other is wired.
Apart from the wired vs. wireless distinction, what else separates an Aux connection from a Bluetooth connection?
Lifewire / Miguel Co
When it comes to convenience, compatibility, and sound quality, which one is better?
Here we cover the similarities and differences between Aux and Bluetooth.
Overall Findings
Wired, limited to the range of the 3.5 mm cable.
Superior sound quality, though most won’t notice a difference.
No need to set up, pair, or digitally connect to a speaker or playback gadget.
Wireless, ranges up to 33 feet in most cases.
Inferior sound quality, but most won’t notice a difference.
Requires a pairing process, which can be frustrating.
Bluetooth, meanwhile, refers to a wireless connectivity standard for computers and peripheral devices.
While not as universal as Aux inputs, Bluetooth is increasingly common.
Convenience: Aux Is Faster, Universal, and Wired
Wired.
Easy to set up.
Don’t need to pair or install a compatible rig.
Most audio-playing devices have an Aux input.
Ranges up to 33 feet but requires a pairing process.
Not as universal as Aux, but increasingly common.
There’s no need to digitally set up an Aux connection.
Unlike Bluetooth audio, however, Aux connections require a physical cord, which can get lost or damaged.
Bluetooth is a wireless standard, which allows for more freedom of movement between a gear and its host.
Most connections are effective at distances of up to 33 feet.
Some industrial use cases range up to 300 feet or more.
Forcar audio, Bluetooth connections allow for hands-free control through virtual assistants like Siri.
This also allows you to make hands-free calls, which you cannot do with an Aux connection.
Bluetooth connections can be finicky.
This process is not always as easy as advertised.
Iftwo devices don’t pair, repeat the process until it works.
Because software is always updated, old or outdated devices can be a challenge to connect.
Some pairings also require a passcode to complete a connection.
All this can make the process of playing audio more of a startup hassle than an Aux cord.
Sound Quality: Aux Delivers Superior Sound Without Data Loss
Lossless analog audio transfer.
No compression or conversion of audio to meet wireless standards.
Superior sound but some may not notice a difference.
Compressed audio loses some data to meet wireless standards.
Inferior sound but some may not notice a difference.
Bluetooth audio is generally considered inferior to most wired audio connections, including 3.5 mm Aux connections.
This conversion results in a minor loss of sound fidelity.
Digital-to-analog conversion is performed by the computer or phone hosting the audio.
Although the sound quality is theoretically superior, Aux does have drawbacks.
Because it is a physical connection, Aux cords tend to wear out over time.
Shorts in the electrical flow also introduce audible noise.
For wired connections,digital USB connectionsgenerally provide better sound quality, but not everyone will notice a difference.
On high-end sound systems, those differences become clearbe it through Aux, Bluetooth, or USB.
As such, an Aux connection provides higher quality audio than Bluetooth.
A digital connection (like USB) provides better sound.
The differences in fidelity between each source must be weighed against the differences in convenience.
Only compatible with other Bluetooth devices.
Not only for sound systems.
Also connects keyboards, printers, headsets, drawing tablets, and hard drives.
Because Aux connections are analog, there’s a wider range of compatible sound systems.
The biggest exception is every iPhone made since 2016.
Bluetooth connections are completely wireless and work with an array of peripheral devices, not just sound systems.
However, because Bluetooth connections are wireless, Bluetooth is less compatible with old or archaic sound systems.
These names, in turn, refer to the physical metal contacts in the plug head.
It’s because Aux cords are time-tested that they remain so common.
Aux cords are not without drawbacks, but the simple analog convenience is one reason these cords are popular.
That said, Bluetooth is catching up.
Bluetooth is not a one-to-one stand-in for a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
