Best karaoke machines

The best karaoke machines encourage even the shyest partygoer to take centre stage and belt out a classic tune.

To find the best karaoke machines worth buying for presents or for setting the scene at your next Eurovision party, birthday part or just kitchen disco, we gathered a team of karaoke-loving Which? researchers and put the most popular karaoke machines to the test.

Of the eight we tested, one was the star of the show and is a Best Buy. Read on to see which we liked best for sound, style and ease of use.

The best karaoke machines from our tests

Compare our results and prices at a glance in our table below or read on for our full reviews.

Best Buy: JYX 69BT Karaoke Machine

Pros

• Punchy backing tracks and crisp vocals
• Stylish design
• Easy to set up and use

Cons

• On the pricey side
• Batteries for wireless mics not included

Our verdict Top of the pops

Size and weight 40 x 28 x 18 cm; 3kg

Microphones 2x wireless mics included (2x AA batteries required for each, none included), maximum of two mics can used at the same time

Connections Bluetooth, USB (MP3 files only), AUX, TF card, FM radio

Need to know Rechargeable battery (total battery life not stated), audio effects include echo, bass and treble, LED light display, included accessories: 1x USB charging cable, 1x AUX to AUX cable, 1x remote control, 1x carry strap

Throughout our karaoke machines testing, this is the one we kept coming back to.

It nails the basics. It looks good, sounds good, and is easy to set up and use. The light display, although a little more understated than some more glittery competitors, still looks impressive and the amp-style appearance gives it appeal as a speaker as well as a karaoke machine.

The wireless mics keep a strong connection to the karaoke machine throughout use, and provide crisp and clear vocals which can easily have their volume balanced with the volume of the backing track. However, the batteries you need (two AAs per mic) aren't included.

We also had no trouble establishing a Bluetooth connection between the machine and our smartphones and laptops. The FM radio had a somewhat patchy signal, even with its extendable aerial, but that's not what you're really planning on using your karaoke machine for.

If you want to take a power stance as you sing at the top of your voice and imagine the crowd going wild, we don't think there are many better home karaoke machines.

Compare the best TVs and best headphones.

Vocal-Star VS-275 Karaoke Machine

Pros

• Backing tracks and vocals sound good
• Has visual appeal

Cons

• Balancing volume of mics and backing track can be a faff

Our verdict Super for the price

Size and weight 33 x 21 x 19cm (HxWxD); 1.7kg

Microphones 2x wireless mics included (2x AA batteries required for each, none included), maximum two mics can used at the same time

Connections Bluetooth, USB (MP3 files only), AUX, TF card, FM radio

Need to know Rechargeable battery (4 hours of battery life), audio effects include echo, EQ presets, LED light display, included accesories: 1x USB charging cable

The wireless mics and speaker of this karaoke machine sound crisp and clean, with punchy bass and little distortion or feedback.

The only downside, which led it to fall short of being a Best Buy, is that all the audio balancing controls are buttons that need to be repeatedly pressed or held down.

These are tricky when trying to get the volume of the backing track and mics just right. We find it much easier when the balancing controls are knobs, as they are with the Best Buy JYX 69BT, reviewed above.

Once we got the settings sorted, our testers enjoyed singing with this karaoke machine. If you have the patience to deal with the controls, we think you'll be happy using it.

Easy Karaoke EKS828BT Pedestal Karaoke Machine

Pros

• Eye-catching design
• Easy to set up and use
• Backing tracks sound good
• Fun light displays

Cons

• Maximum volume isn’t quite high enough
• Size makes it tricky to store away

Our verdict Looks good, could be louder

Size and weight 95.6 x 29 x 23.8cm (HxWxD); 5.4kg

Microphones 2x wired microphones included (250cm cable), maximum two mics can be used at the same time

Connections Bluetooth, USB (MP3 files only), AUX

Need to know Mains powered, audio effects include echo only, LED light display

Guests at your next karaoke party will be wowed at the sight of this karaoke machine, which will command the room and make people feel like they're taking the stage when they get up to sing.

The music sounds good from the tall speaker, which has an impressive light display that can be set to react to the music being played. However, the maximum volume wasn't quite high enough for our testers, who sometimes felt they could sing louder than it.

Its size, while impressive, may also be prohibitive for some when it comes to storage. You'd have to really love your karaoke to leave it out all the time, and it'll take up a lot of room in the cupboard when put away.

RockJam SingCube Karaoke Machine

Pros

• Easy to set up and use
• Looks good and has a fun light display

Cons

• Sound is a little thin and can be distorted at higher volumes

Our verdict Not bad for its size

Size and weight 19 x 18.5 x 18cm (HxWxD); 1.6kg

Microphones 2x wired mics included (150cm cable), maximum two mics can used at the same time

Connections Bluetooth, USB (MP3 files only), AUX, FM radio

Need to know Rechargeable battery (6 hours of battery life), audio effects include echo only, LED light display, included accessories: 1x USB charging cable, 1x AUX cable

This is the smallest and lightest karaoke machine we've tested, but it outshines some of the larger ones.

We found it easy to use, and our testers liked the 3D-style light display that shines through the speaker while it's in use.

We think it's for more understated karaoke events, though, as the sound quality suffered at higher volumes. To keep it sounding good, you might have to play your music and sing at quieter volumes than you'd like. 

iDance Sing Cube BC100 Karaoke System

Pros

• Backing tracks sound good

Cons

• Max volume of mic isn’t loud enough
• Short power cable
• Bluetooth pairing can be hit and miss

Our verdict Not a chart topper

Size and weight 26 x 20 x 20cm; 1.7kg

Microphones 1x wired mic included (250cm cable), maximum two mics can used at the same time

Connections Bluetooth, USB (MP3 files only), AUX, TF card, FM radio

Need to know Mains powered, audio effects include echo only, LED light display, included accessories: 1x carry strap, 1x AUX cable

Once we got this karaoke machine paired up via Bluetooth it sounded good, but getting it connected wasn't always straightforward.

The short power cable also makes positioning it more challenging than some we tested, as it needs to be connected to mains electricity for it to work.

Our testers felt the maximum volume of the microphone needed to be higher when they used it. The backing tracks could be loud enough, but the microphones could easily be drowned out by the backing track.

Easy Karaoke EKS213-BT Karaoke Machine

Pros

• Easy to set up and use

Cons

• Maximum volume of backing tracks and vocals aren’t loud enough

Our verdict Not loud enough

Size and weight 20 x 32 x 25cm (HxWxD); 2.5kg

Microphones 1x wired mic included (250cm cable), maximum two mics can used at the same time

Connections Bluetooth, disc, AUX

Need to know Mains powered, audio effects include echo only, LED light display, included accessories: 1x audio/video out cable, 1x tablet/smartphone holder, 1x pre-loaded karaoke disc for TV display

We like the controls and light display of this karaoke machine, but the quiet maximum volume left us singing louder than the speaker.

It has some retro appeal, though. It's the only one to have a CD drive, and has a pre-loaded karaoke disc containing five songs; I Want by One Direction, Baby One More Time by Britney Spears, Ho Hey by The Lumineers, I Want it That Way by Backstreet Boys, and Tik Tok by Kesha.

You'll need to use the audio/video out cable to connect the machine to your TV if you want to see the lyrics, and some more modern smart TVs may not have the correct port. Connecting via Bluetooth to your smartphone or laptop is a much more straightforward and flexible way to do it.

iHome Sound Factory Deluxe Karaoke Machine iSF-26

Available from Smyths Toys (£69.99) 

Pros

• Easy to set up and use
• Has a fun light display

Cons

• Maximum volume of backing tracks and vocals isn't loud enough

Our verdict Could be fun for kids

Size and weight 32 x 25 x 17cm; 2kg

Microphones 1x wired mic included (150cm cable), maximum two mics can used at the same time

Connections Bluetooth, USB (MP3 files only)

Need to know Rechargeable battery (total battery life not stated), audio effects include echo only, two LED light displays (one on front of speaker and one on top), included accessories: 1x USB charging cable

The look, feel and light displays of this karaoke machine are likely to appeal to younger aspiring singers and the limited maximum volume, while restrictive, may appeal to any parents who might be considering buying it.

But because of this key limitation we don't think it's fit for a full-blown karaoke party. As a children's toy it does the job well, but we wouldn't ask it to be more than that.

The controls and dials are easy enough to use, and although some younger kids might need a hand, most shouldn't be tugging your sleeve to help you get it working.

Fenton KAR100 Karaoke Machine

Pros

• Backing tracks sound OK
• Not too much feedback from mics

Cons

• Very tricky to adjust audio levels
• Battery pack rattles around inside when you move it

Our verdict Didn't impress the judges

Size and weight 21 x 35 x 21cm (HxWxD); 4kg

Microphones 2x wired microphones included (300cm cable), maximum two mics can be used at the same time

Connections Bluetooth, USB (MP3 files only)

Need to know Rechargeable battery (3-4 hours battery life), audio effects include echo, bass, mid and treble, LED light display, included accessories: remote control

Music sounded acceptable when we played it through this karaoke machine, and it is loud enough, but some notable ease of use and quality issues led to it finishing bottom of the pile in our tests.

We found it difficult to adjust the volume of the backing track and the microphone. You have to press some buttons repeatedly and some need to be held down, and the small digital display doesn't make it clear what you're adjusting.

The battery pack also moves around and rattles inside the karaoke machine when you lift it up, which we find a little disconcerting and doesn't give an impression of quality.

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How we test karaoke machines

We assemble a group of karaoke-loving Which? testers of various ages, genders and singing abilities to put bestselling karaoke machines to the test.

We buy every karaoke machine we test.

• We rank the karaoke machines for how much their looks make you want to get the party started, taking into account their aesthetics, light displays and microphones.

• We judge each for how easily it can be set up for use, connected to devices using its various connection methods, and how easily the controls can adjust the volume levels of the mics and backing tracks.

• Our group of testers sing their favourite tunes with every karaoke machine, and we judge how good the speaker sounds when playing both the backing track and the vocals of the person singing. Speakers that lack volume, have crackly microphones and that sound distorted are penalised.

How do I turn my TV into a karaoke machine?

There are several ways to display the song lyrics of whatever you're singing on your TV. 

Smart TVs that share the same wi-fi as your smartphone can connect via the screen-sharing function on your phone. You can then stream videos with the music and lyrics from your phone to your TV, using apps such as YouTube.

Alternatively, you could just use the YouTube app on your smart TV if it has it, or connect your laptop to your TV using a HDMI cable.

However, the key will be to ensure the sound comes out of your karaoke machine, if you'd rather it didn't come out of the TV. To do this, you'll either need to establish a Bluetooth connection between your TV and the karaoke machine, or use an AUX cable to connect them up.

Do you need a TV for a karaoke machine?

It depends on how visible you'd like the lyrics to be. If you're karaoke-ing in a large room or want lots of partygoers to join in while you sing, it can be helpful to have the lyrics displayed on a larger screen so they can easily be seen.

It's not essential though. Any device that has a screen and a Bluetooth connection - your smartphone, tablet or laptop, for example - can be used to display the lyrics while you play the music through the karaoke machine's speaker. 

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