It also has a built-in feature that allows it to avoid the use of LTE channels while they’re also transmitting data. Bluetooth 5 consumes less device power than Bluetooth 4.īluetooth 5 has a broader selection of data channels to choose from.However, Bluetooth 5’s faster speeds and better connectivity mean a reduced battery drain from quicker, easier data transfers. Bluetooth 5 offers backward compatibility.īluetooth versions 4 and 5 both feature much lower power consumption rates than the classics.Many devices running Bluetooth 5 will offer more features when paired with other devices running the same version. You’ll also want to consider your updated hardware. That means it will connect with devices using older Bluetooth versions.

Bluetooth 5 has 4X the connection range of 4.īluetooth 5 is backward compatible.Bluetooth 4, on the other hand, will cut out around 200ft. 2 may not seem like much, but it means Bluetooth 5 transfers data at double the rate of 4.īluetooth 5 is capable of maintaining a connection at a distance of nearly 800ft outdoors.

Speedīluetooth 5 offers speeds of 2 Mbps, while Bluetooth 4 offers speeds of 1 Mbps. So is it even necessary?Ĭonsumers should look at speed, range, compatibility, power requirements, and connection reliability when comparing Bluetooth versions. Should you choose Bluetooth Version 4 or 5?Ĭonsidering a device with a more advanced Bluetooth version often means spending more. It features an increased bandwidth capacity of 2.0 Mbps over Bluetooth 4’s 1.0 Mbps and an even further connection range.īluetooth 5 also touts less power consumption, increased message capacity, backward device compatibility, the ability to connect to multiple devices, and decreased interference from LTE. Bluetooth Version 5.0-5.2īluetooth 5.2, released in 2020, is the latest version available. With 2010’s Bluetooth 4.0, the need for longer battery life in smaller and smaller Bluetooth-enabled devices was finally met.īluetooth 4.0’s introduced “Bluetooth Low Energy.” With BLE small low power consumption devices like fitness trackers were able finally to meet the real life demands of consumers.īluetooth 4.0 and 4.2 also introduced connection distances of up to 200ft, less Bluetooth signal interference, improved pairing, and increased data transmission. Unfortunately, Former battery life problems were only exacerbated with 3.0’s increased speed. Users of 3.0 were now capable of transferring improved audio and even video data. It had a low bandwidth compared to Wi-Fi, frequent connection loss, poor security, and low battery life.īluetooth 3.0, released in 2009, is considered the last of the “classics.” With transfer speeds up to 24 Mbps and Wi-Fi connection compatibility, Bluetooth 3.0 was the first version to offer a real “high speed” connection. The new version has an increased connection range of up to 100 ft and data transfer speeds topping 3 Mbps in Bluetooth 2.1.Īlthough much faster than its predecessor, Bluetooth 2 still had singificant drawbacks. Bluetooth Versions 2.0-2.1īy 2005 an international need for faster localized wireless data transfer ushered fourth Bluetooth version 2.0. So, although it could handle phone calls, the Bluetooth at the time lacked the bandwidth to transfer large data like music. The early versions had a data transfer speed of around 1 Mbps and a range of about 30 ft. With the upgraded version 1.2, that list of devices quickly increased to cell phones, headsets, cars, laptops, and cameras. The first version of Bluetooth made available to the general public was initially used to connect external hardware devices to computers. In 1997 that tech caught the eye of the head of a little company called IBM. The tech needed to be capable of transmitting data between personal computers and wireless headsets.īy the mid-90s’ the project codenamed “Bluetooth” had launched an early standardized version of the technology.

That’s the year a team at Swedish company Ericsson Mobile was tasked with creating a short link radio technology. Although released in 1999 and available to the general public by the years 2000/2001, Bluetooth technology got its start way back in 1989.

Highest bluetooth versions