The best karaoke machines
Two mics, some lights and a song everybody knows: the karaoke machines for family parties.
A karaoke machine is a speaker with wireless microphones: connect a phone or TV by Bluetooth, put the lyrics on screen, and the whole family's a star. They're a hit with children, teenagers and more grown-ups than will admit it. The word is Japanese: 'kara' means empty and 'okesutora' orchestra.
Bigger speakers are louder and fuller for parties; smaller ones suit bedrooms and younger children. Two wireless mics are standard, so duets are sorted.
What matters
- Speaker size and power for the room (or garden).
- Battery life for a whole party.
- Two wireless mics.
- Somewhere to show the lyrics: a TV, tablet or phone.
#1 of 5
Best overall
JYX Karaoke Machine with 2 Wireless Mics (380W peak)
£100–£150 Price range
The one for proper parties: a 5.25in subwoofer and tweeter with enough volume for a garden, up to 24 hours of battery, disco lights, and you can pair two of them for stereo.
What owners say: Owners find the sound clear and great for family parties, and the Bluetooth easy, though the mics get mixed reports.
A closer look: Put the lyrics on the TV from YouTube and connect the phone by Bluetooth; the mics then sing over it. Turn the echo down for speeches and up for power ballads.
- 380W peak, 5.25in subwoofer and 2in tweeter
- 2 wireless mics
- Up to 24 hours' battery
- Bluetooth 5.3, pairs two units for stereo
- Guitar input, treble and bass controls
Best for: Big family parties
- Speaker power
- 380W peak
- Battery
- Up to 24 hours
- Mics
- 2 wireless
- Weight
- 2.96kg
- Pairs for stereo
- Yes
#2 of 5
Best for the telly
Singingmate Karaoke Machine with 2 Wireless Mics (K9M)
£50–£75 Price range
A 6.5in subwoofer for fuller vocals and noise reduction on the mics, designed to sit by the TV and sing along to lyrics on the big screen. A shoulder strap takes it to a friend's house.
What owners say: Owners find the sound good and Bluetooth easy, and think it suits all ages, though a few had a microphone that didn't work.
Heads up: It has no screen, and the mics each need two AA batteries that aren't in the box.
A closer look: Buy a pack of rechargeable AAs with it and the mics are never flat mid-song. Search '[song] karaoke' on YouTube for lyrics on the TV.
- 6.5in subwoofer
- 2 wireless mics (2 × AA each)
- Up to 8 hours' battery
- Bluetooth, AUX, USB and TF card
- Colour lights, shoulder strap
Best for: Karaoke nights at home
- Speaker power
- –
- Battery
- Up to 8 hours
- Mics
- 2 wireless (AA)
- Weight
- 1.98kg
- Pairs for stereo
- –
#3 of 5
HEEBUKE Karaoke Machine with Tablet Stand (T08)
£30–£50 Price range
A slot on top holds a tablet or phone showing the lyrics, so everything sits in one place, with two 10W speakers, up to 10 hours of battery and an input for a guitar or keyboard.
What owners say: Owners find it brilliant value, with good sound and battery for garden parties, though a few had microphones that wouldn't connect.
A closer look: Prop a tablet in the top slot with a karaoke app and it works anywhere, no TV needed: good for the garden or a caravan holiday.
- 2 × 10W speakers (40W peak)
- Tablet or phone holder on top
- Up to 10 hours, 3,600mAh
- Pairs two units for stereo
- Input for guitar or keyboard, 3-year warranty
Best for: Singing anywhere
- Speaker power
- 2 × 10W (40W peak)
- Battery
- Up to 10 hours
- Mics
- 2 wireless
- Weight
- 2.21kg
- Pairs for stereo
- Yes
#4 of 5
Most fun for kids
Wowstar K26 Karaoke Machine with Voice Effects
£30–£50 Price range
Five voice effects, including monster and baby, plus six light modes and slots that keep the two mics tidy. Light at about 1kg, and it runs 6–10 hours on a charge.
What owners say: Owners find it easy to set up and brilliant for children singing along to a phone, and love the voice changer.
A closer look: The monster voice is a guaranteed laugh at a birthday party. Pop the mics back in their slots after use and they don't get lost under the sofa.
- 2 wireless mics with storage slots
- 5 voice effects
- 6 light modes
- 8W speaker, 6–10 hours
- About 1kg, carry strap
Best for: Birthday parties
- Speaker power
- 8W
- Battery
- 6–10 hours
- Mics
- 2 wireless
- Weight
- 1.01kg
- Pairs for stereo
- –
#5 of 5
Best budget
Dislocati Mini Karaoke Machine with 2 Mics (ages 3–15)
£10–£20 Price range
Small, pink and cheerful, with two wireless mics that control the volume and echo themselves, four sound effects and lights. A headphone socket means practice doesn't have to be loud.
What owners say: Owners find it keeps children entertained for hours and is compact and good value, though the always-on echo isn't to everyone's taste.
Heads up: The sound is small-speaker sound, and some find the echo on the mics can't be fully turned off.
A closer look: Keep the mics away from the speaker or it squeals. It's a good one for grandparents' houses: small enough to live in a drawer between visits.
- 2 wireless mics with volume and echo buttons
- 4 sound effects, LED lights
- 5–10 hours' battery
- Headphone output
- 570g
Best for: Younger singers
- Speaker power
- –
- Battery
- 5–10 hours
- Mics
- 2 wireless
- Weight
- 570g
- Pairs for stereo
- –
How they compare
| Feature | #1JYX 69BT | #2Singingmate K9M | #3HEEBUKE T08 | #4Wowstar K26 | #5Dislocati K12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best for the telly | Most fun for kids | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.9 | 8.8 |
| Price | £100–£150 Price range | £50–£75 Price range | £30–£50 Price range | £30–£50 Price range | £10–£20 Price range |
| Speaker power | 380W peak | – | 2 × 10W (40W peak) | 8W | – |
| Battery | Up to 24 hours | Up to 8 hours | Up to 10 hours | 6–10 hours | 5–10 hours |
| Mics | 2 wireless | 2 wireless (AA) | 2 wireless | 2 wireless | 2 wireless |
| Weight | 2.96kg | 1.98kg | 2.21kg | 1.01kg | 570g |
| Pairs for stereo | Yes | – | Yes | – | – |
| Best for | Big family parties | Karaoke nights at home | Singing anywhere | Birthday parties | Younger singers |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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