Daily read · Gift ideas
Can you connect two Bluetooth speakers together? Christmas gift picks that pair up
Yes, if the models are compatible. How speaker stereo pairing works, the older-model gift trap, and three Christmas picks that pair up.
Arun · Electronic Guru
Two speakers can make one big stereo sound, but only if they speak the same language. Check the maker's compatibility list and the model generation before you buy the second one.
Yes, you can connect two Bluetooth speakers together, but usually only when both support the same maker's linking feature. At Christmas, that means a second speaker bought to match theirs only works if the two can talk to each other. Linked speakers usually offer Stereo (left and right split between them) or Party (the same sound through both).
The gift trap: check the generation, not just the brand
Same brand is not always enough. Ultimate Ears says its WONDERBOOM 4 does not connect with WONDERBOOM 1 or 2, or with its bigger BOOM, MEGABOOM and HYPERBOOM models. Before you wrap a matching speaker, check the model they own against the maker's compatibility notes.
Best overall: the Bose that also joins a Bose soundbar
The Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) · Rosewood Mauve has a clever extra. Bose says a SimpleSync-enabled Bose smart soundbar or smart speaker can send sound to it, extending listening to an adjacent room; handy if there is already a Bose soundbar in the lounge. Out of the box, its shortcut button is set to link two compatible Bose speakers without the app, in Stereo Mode or Party Mode. Bose quotes up to 12 hours of battery and an IP67 rating, and says PositionIQ adjusts the sound to however it is standing or hanging.
Best value: one-button stereo with no app
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker · White · WONDERBOOM 4 keeps pairing refreshingly simple. Ultimate Ears says you press once to double up two speakers, then press again for full stereo with separate left and right channels. It also claims 14 hours of playtime, an IP67 rating and drop-testing from 1.5 metres, and says it floats, so a pair can move from the bathroom to the garden.
For the gamer: a seat in the stereo sweet spot
Stereo is all about left and right, so the best seat is in the middle. The Game Over Gaming Bean Bag Chair for Adult Water Resistant Indoor Gamer Beanbag Chair - Purple is listed at £74.99 at Game Over. Game Over says it measures 83 x 60 x 83cm, comes with its filling, and has side pockets for controllers, snacks and accessories plus a headset holder strap, so the phone running the speakers stays within reach.
Buying the second speaker as a gift? Compare the online price on PriceHaggle first, then see whether a local shop will haggle to match it.
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Game Over Gaming Bean Bag Chair for Adult Water Resistant Indoor Gamer Beanbag Chair - Purple · Game Over
Quick questions
Do both speakers need to be the same brand? For these features, yes: Bose links compatible Bose speakers, and Ultimate Ears lists which of its own models work.
Will a WONDERBOOM 4 pair with an old WONDERBOOM 2? No, Ultimate Ears says it does not connect with WONDERBOOM 1 or 2.
Do you need an app to link two SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) speakers? No, Bose says the shortcut button links compatible speakers without the app out of the box.
Save yourself a surprise
Your quick buying checklist
- Find the exact model and generation of the speaker they already own.
- Check the maker's page lists that model as compatible for Stereo or Party Mode.
- Decide whether they want left-right stereo in one room or the same sound in two rooms.
References & editorial notes
This content is based on the sources listed below.
AI-generated information drawn from public sources. Not to be treated as any form of advice. Check details with the retailer before buying.