The Best Karaoke Machines
Few experiences can be as exhilarating as a sing-along with your friends and family. Whether you are crooning like Tony Bennett, belting it out like Whitney Houston, or busting a vocal move like Michael Jackson, singing is a great way to improve your mood and bond with others. Enter karaoke, which gives you an easy way to sing along to all your favorite songs and artists without even leaving your home. We've narrowed down the best karaoke machines on the market today to help you get in the singing spirit and find the machine that's right for you.
What to Look For
When narrowing down the best karaoke machines on the market, we considered portability, sound quality, lighting/effects, and price. For example, if you want a karaoke machine that has plenty of features at a decent price, the Singing Machine karaoke machine is a great option. If you want something a bit more sophisticated, the Singtrix party bundle second edition karaoke machine has all the bells and whistles you can think of when it comes to sound quality and effects. Read on to see all our top picks and find the karaoke machine that will get your party started.
Singing Machine Karaoke Machine
For any occasion
Anyone who has ever gone to a karaoke bar knows there is more to the experience than just a microphone and a speaker. It’s equally important that the ambiance of the surrounding environment makes you feel like you’re the star of your own show. The best karaoke machines will do that too — just like this one from Singing Machine does. Combining a high-quality set of speakers and Bluetooth streaming capabilities with a host of lighting effects, it’s basically an entire disco party unto itself, offering everything you need to make your next sing-along an absolute blast. And on top of that, the whole thing is super compact, so you can take it from one place to another without much hassle.
Pros:
- Bluetooth-enabled for easy connectivity
- Offers a knob-controlled echo effect
- Intricate lighting system with 54 LED lights
Cons:
- Only comes with one mic
KaraoKing Karaoke Machine For Kids & Adults
Twice the fun
If you’re looking for a karaoke system to bring along to birthday parties and other celebrations, check out this one from KaraoKing. Not only is it compact enough to transport from here to there, with an integrated handle and wheels that make it easy to tow, but it’s also replete with a host of other features that will spice up any gathering. This includes a light-up disco ball, colorful LED lights in the speaker itself, and two mics for duets. It’s also a great choice for younger users since all of its controls — including an equalizer and volume effects — are analog and intuitive to use.
Pros:
- Sturdy design
- Handles are easy to grasp
- Multiple connection options for simple troubleshooting
Cons:
- Microphones aren’t the best quality
- Does not come with instructions
808 Singsation All-In-One Karaoke System & Party Machine
A standout pick
What stands out about 808’s Singstation is its unique design. Rather than offering a traditional, cube-style karaoke machine, this clever design situates a mic stand in the center of this oddly shaped unit’s base. We love that the mic stand is fitted with a cradle on which you can place your phone or tablet to read lyrics from the screen during your performance. All that and the inclusion of vocal effects like modulation and harmony-generating presets make this machine truly stand out.
Pros:
- Syncs easily with most major karaoke apps
- Various lighting settings for added theatrics during a performance
- Easily compact and manageable design
Cons:
- Fairly pricy
VerkTop Portable Karaoke Machine
Small and affordable
Karaoke machines aren’t known for their portability, but this one from VerkTop is an exception. This machine is hardly bigger than a toolbox, making it small enough to take with you to the park, your friend’s house, or anywhere else you go. At the same time, it still manages to pack a decent punch. It’s also extremely easy to use as it functions with USB, aux-in, and Bluetooth to help you connect your favorite devices. In short, it will let you indulge your inner Madonna whenever — and wherever — the moment strikes.
Pros:
- More colorful lighting effects than competitors
- Can also be used as a power bank to charge your devices
- Good value for the price
Cons:
- The mic isn’t very durable
Singtrix Party Bundle Second Edition Karaoke Machine
Studio sounds
You may have recognized this karaoke machine from the popular entrepreneur reality show, Shark Tank. While it may not have impressed the judges enough to gain funding during that appearance, it has earned plenty of accolades since then and is sure to impress you and your friends at your next big event. The party bundle model is packed with advanced features that make it feel more like a professional-level stage setup than a plaything, including a full mic stand, a studio controller with a simple and intuitive interface, and a 40-watt 2.1 stereo speaker configuration with a built-in subwoofer. Most unique of all, though, is the huge library of vocal effects, including an auto-tuner that matches your voice to any song.
Pros:
- Has built-in harmonization effects to create virtual backup singers
- Has a live instrument mode for tuning vocals to in-house players
- Swappable colored faceplates on the controller make for more customization
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Not ideal for younger users
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a karaoke machine?
A karaoke machine is an audio system that allows you and your friends to sing along to your favorite songs. First popularized in Japan, modern karaoke machines generally consist of a music player, microphone inputs, a means of altering the pitch of the played music, and an audio output. Today’s karaoke machines come in a range of different designs and types, however, and may differ in terms of how many features they offer.
What should I look for when buying a karaoke machine?
Karaoke machines come in all different shapes and sizes, and which is right for you will depend on what you’re trying to get out of the system. Some karaoke machines consist of little more than a mic and speaker that connects to a TV or audio device, while others are more fully featured, including LCD screens, vocal tuning, and lighting effects. In general, since the karaoke experience is so specifically focused on audio and vocal quality, you should consider the quality of the speaker and mic in whichever system you buy.
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