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Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth: advantages and disadvantages of Chromecast Audio

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chromecast_audio_vs_bluetoothWhen Chromecast Audio was announced, a lot of people want to know the advantages and disadvantages of Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth.

This is a natural question because Bluetooth speaker is readily available in all countries and regions. Most families have a few Bluetooth speakers, which may be given free when purchasing some expensive home appliances.

Chromecast Audio is new, although Chromecast is about 2 years old.  Even, some Chromecast owners may have some misunderstandings on Chromecast Audio.

If you are not sure about the difference between Chromecast and Chromecast Audio, or you are not sure about how Chromecast Audio streams music, you may check our Chromecast Audio guides page.

This post focuses on comparing Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth to help you understand the advantages and limitations of Chromecast Audio. And therefore, you can make a better decision on whether you should get a Chromecast Audio, or whether you can live with Bluetooth, or whether and how you can use both of them within your budget.

Table of Contents hide
1) Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth: audio quality
2) Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth: battery usage on mobile devices
3) Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth: requirements
4) Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth: which one is for you?
5) Google discontinued the Chromecast Audio, what’s the solution?
6) Do you know their advantages and disadvantages by comparing Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth? Do you know which one is for you: Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth?

Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth: audio quality

Bluetooth usually has terrible audio quality because Bluetooth is designed as low power, short-range personal area networks (PANs). The speed is far lower than that of WiFi. Even for the latest Bluetooth 4.2, the maximum speed is capped at 24Mbps, which is half of that of the old 2.4Ghz 802.11g WiFi connection.

Most Bluetooth speakers are still using Bluetooth 2.0/2.1+EDR, whose maximum data rate is only 3Mbps. The actual streaming rate is even far lower.

So, when streaming music, audio must be compressed (to reduce data) on your mobile device, transmitted in the air, then decompressed on the speaker.  This usually degrades the audio quality significantly.

The most common compressing and decompressing algorithm (codec), and the default, for most Bluetooth devices, is SBC (Low Complexity Subband Coding). SBC is sufficient for phone calls and online meetings. But for music, it is usually not good enough.

To address this issue, some vendors implemented aptX, a new proprietary codec for wireless audio (now owned by Qualcomm). Although aptX probably uses a better algorithm and improves the audio quality noticeably, it is far from what they claimed “lossless”.

Due to the limitation of the design and implementation of Bluetooth, it is hard to get “lossless” audio through Bluetooth. Very often, aptX actually is just a hit-or-miss: sometimes you get far better quality than using SBC; sometimes, you get as poor audio quality as through SBC. Obviously, the gain from aptX highly depends on the individual music file.

To make it worse, aptX is not widely available.

To benefit from aptX, you need a device (for example, a mobile phone) that supports aptX AND a Bluetooth speaker that also supports aptX. Currently, only a few flagship smartphones released this year and last year may support aptX.  For Bluetooth speakers, due to licensing cost, most Bluetooth speaker cheaper than $100 do not support aptX at all.

Just for your reference, Apple does not support aptX in iOS at all. So you cannot get aptX on iPhone or iPad. Licensing cost is probably one consideration.

For Chromecast Audio (or Chromecast), there is no compression in transmitting. Audio quality is only limited by the music source and the quality of your speaker.  The 802.11ac WiFi connection is far more than sufficient for lossless audios.

If you use the analogue output in Chromecast Audio, the DAC (Digital-to-analog converter) in Chromecast Audio is also a decent one, although not a high-end one.

So, if you compare Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth, Chromecast Audio is definitely a winner in audio quality.

Of course, the audio quality also depends on the music source and your speaker.  Chromecast Audio is usually not the bottleneck. But Bluetooth usually is the bottleneck for audio quality.

Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth: battery usage on mobile devices

When you compare the mobile device dependency of Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth, it is very clear that both Chromecast Audio and Bluetooth requires a second device in addition to the speaker.

But the role of the other device is totally different for Chromecast Audio and Bluetooth.

For Bluetooth, the device must pair with a Bluetooth-enabled speaker. The music and audio are simply transferred from the device’s speaker to the Bluetooth speaker. For example, after you pair your phone with a Bluetooth speaker, by default, all audio output will be transferred to the Bluetooth speaker.  All operations, for example, playing music, connecting to the internet if streaming, are all handled by the phone.

This can drain the battery of your mobile device significantly, especially for internet streaming.

As a comparison, Chromecast Audio works differently.  For internet streaming, Chromecast Audio will fetch the contents and play them by itself. Your mobile phone is just a remote control. Once streaming starts, you can even switch off your phone. You only need the phone when you want to stop the streaming or change playlist.

This means for internet streaming, Chromecast Audio will handle it by itself except for the initial stage of setting the streaming/playlist. So, once streaming starts, your phone is doing nothing for internet streaming.

For streaming local music through Chromecast Audio, it depends on the methods you are using.  If you are playing local music library on a PC or NAS server with Plex or VLC player, it works similar to internet streaming except the traffic is routed through your local network.

If you are using casting audio/screen option, and are playing local music to Chromecast Audio, it works like Bluetooth except it is through WiFi network, not through Bluetooth. Only in this scenario, battery consumption on the mobile device is similar to that using Bluetooth.

So, for most cases, especially for internet streaming, Bluetooth will drain far more battery on your mobile device than using Chromecast Audio.

By comparing battery usage on mobile devices of using Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth,  Chromecast Audio is a clear winner again.

Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth: requirements

Both Chromecast Audio and Bluetooth have some requirements. Now, let’s compare the requirements of Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth.

For Chromecast Audio, you need:

  1. a WiFi network and active internet connection. Chromecast and Chromecast Audio will not work unless it can connect to the internet, even if you just want o stream local contents (although the traffic is routed only through your local network). If no active internet connection is detected, Chromecast Audio assumes it is not ready. The LED colour will indicate this status.
  2. A paring device. The device must have one of the supported OS: Android 4.1 or higher, iOS 7.0 or higher; Windows 7 or higher, Mac OS 10.7 or later or Chrome OS (on a Chromebook running Chrome 28 & higher). Supporting for Linux is not official.
  3. A speaker or receiver with one of the 3 input ports: 3.5-mm stereo, RCA or TOSLINK.

For Bluetooth, the requirements are simpler:

  1. A paring device. The only requirement is Bluetooth-enabled.
  2. A Bluetooth speaker.

So, for the requirements comparison of Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth, Bluetooth is the winner.

Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth: which one is for you?

Chromecast Audio and Bluetooth actually are not mutually exclusive. You can get them both within your budget.

The best and the cheapest solution is to get a Bluetooth speaker with AUX input.  You can use the speaker for both Bluetooth and Chromecast Audio.

Please note, if audio quality is a big concern for you, it is better to get a high-quality speaker within your budget for Chromecast Audio. You can then spend an additional $20-$30 for a Bluetooth receiver for the speaker if you need Bluetooth as well. Most high-end speakers with Bluetooth connection are overpriced for the Bluetooth feature.

On the other hand, most Bluetooth speakers, especially, unknown brands, are designed and tuned for “Bluetooth” quality.  The AUX input may have similar audio quality as Bluetooth. You should avoid them if you need audio quality.

If you do not care too much about music details, a decent Bluetooth speaker with AUX input (within your budget) is probably sufficient.

Anyway, as I always said, trust your ears, not the price tag.

Google discontinued the Chromecast Audio, what’s the solution?

Google discontinued Chromecast Audio in early 2019. But this does not mean you only have the Bluetooth solution.

As explained in this guide, you can use Chromecast (or Chromecast Ultra) to replace Chromecast Audio. And you will get comparable or better audio quality than using Chromecast Audio.

If your AV receiver or speaker supports HDMI input, then you can directly hook Chromecast into the receiver or the speaker. You will get the best possible audio quality from streaming in this configuration.

If your AV receiver or speaker does not support an HDMI input, you need to add an HDMI audio extractor to Chromecast. You can then use the normal analogue or digital input in your receiver or speaker. You should be able to get comparable or better audio quality compared to using a Chromecast Audio.

Please refer to this guide on detailed explanations for replacing Chromecast Audio with Chromecast.

Anyway, without Chromecast Audio, our recommendation is Chromecast (plus an HDMI audio extractor).

Do you know their advantages and disadvantages by comparing Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth? Do you know which one is for you: Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth?

If you have any comments or questions on comparing Chromecast Audio vs Bluetooth, please let us know in the comment box below.

The community will try to help you find the answer and benefit from your thoughts.

For more Chromecast Audio guides, please visit the Chromecast Audio guide page.

If your question is on Chromecast including both 1st generation Chromecast, new Chromecast (aka Chromecast 2015), Chromecast 3rd gen (Chromecast 2018), and Chromecast Ultra, please visit Chromecast how-to guides page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Bear Limvere says

    I love your article. I bought the Amazon Bluetooth receiver for my home office and generally like it. The one thing I do not like about the Bluetooth option is that my iPad and iPhone automatically connect to it if it’s in range, so if I’m in the living room and want to watch a video on my phone I have to turn off the devices Bluetooth to do so. It’s a bit inconvenient at best.

    I’ve had the same issue with my Bluetooth-enabled PA speaker at a concert, where my phone started playing the ringtone through the while I was playing.

    Reply

  3. Brian says

    Thanks for an awesome artical,that will help a lot for people confuse between the two formats,I just got my Chromecast Audio a few days ago after setting up with Toslink output to my input Hifi Preamp the sound was outstanding I would say its sound better than my CD by comparison, interms of audio details and wide dynamic range,my Preamp does shown 96kHz 24, while playing Spotify app , if you’re using just RCA instead of Toslink you’ll get 44khz 16 CD quality sound,I would suggest using this method to take advantage of Chromecast Audio HDR and set it to on in the setting ,without using these methods the HDR music gets loud,audio lost details and distorted.
    I used to own Bluetooth 4.1 with Aptx build in, with Coaxial Digital out put and input its to my 12 year olds Yamaha to stream musics and thanks God its has Optical & Coaxial Digital input the sound was very good then, not until this Chromecast Audio blew them out of the water in comparison, like others said in this artical the bandwidth of Bluetooth is very small and weak vs.Wifi 801.1ac or even 801.1n.
    Happy Streaming.

    Reply

  4. Naxop says

    I have a belkin Bluetooth receiver linked to a Denon dm39 through an optical cable and it sounds decently. But when I begin listening, I hear a clearer sound for just few milliseconds, and it becomes a little muted immediately. Is this due to the compression factor or maybe is an equalizing setting which begins to be applied?

    Reply

  5. make says

    I have Sony STR DN1050 receiver with bluetooth in it. I think bluetooth is making very good job. Are those bluetooth receivers better then?

    Reply

  6. Ryan says

    I think another disadvantage with the Chromecast audio is it must be plugged into a power source. If you want to say, take your battery powered speaker outside but are still within the WiFi “umbrella”, you would still have to use bluetooth or stay close to a power source. I do like the option of using a good quality Bluetooth speaker in conjunction with the Chromecast audio to have either option.

    Reply

  7. Ken Estrada says

    If I use Chromcast Audio toslink out to a Peachtree Nova65se toslink input and stream Google music from my iphone 6s plus will I be limited to the lower bit rate apple uses? Or the higher bit rate that Google Music has over itunes/apple?

    Reply

  8. Munim says

    There is one very important point which you have missed. A lot of people carry bluetooth speakers around with them when travelling. It’s very portable. You can’t do the same with chromecast audio. Even if you connect it to a battery powered portable speaker, it needs a proper wifi connection to work.

    Reply

  9. Tõnis says

    Hi there. Can I use Chromecast Audio with a 2018 LG Smart TV like UK6300 somehow? I mean stream from the TV to the CA?

    Reply

  10. sonicblasphemy says

    Hi there! This Chromecast audio seems a revelation for web streaming hi-fi enthusiasts going wireless and cheap :)) . This article is great! Thank you simon!
    There is though, at least for me, an unclear detail concerning the locally stored audio files (probably among others, as I never streamed anything):
    – If the bluetooth transmission compresses and decompresses the signal, what happens through wi-fi? The sure thing is that, at the optical end, it must be PCM, right?

    Reply

  11. james white says

    You forgot to compare useful range and whole house audio. With my chromecast, I can cast and control any speaker or group of speakers from anywhere in my wifi bubble. I can also set a stream in motion, leave the house with my phone and come back later to my music still playing. and while I’m gone my girlfriend can control the chromecast from her phone.. or the kitchen tablet .. or the pc. I can’t believe Google has discontinued it. There is no substitute.

    Reply

  12. Filip says

    Hello
    I want to buy an amplifier with built-in chromecast. Will this still work within several years? I mean.. After updates in the future?
    I don’t want to spend money on something that won’t work after a time. Thanks. Filip

    Reply

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