Bluetooth codec support

Tests report that the SoundLink Max uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive codecs along with Google Fast Pair, giving it broad modern compatibility with phones and tablets and enabling higher quality wireless audio when paired with capable devices.

Owners appreciate that the LS50 Wireless support Bluetooth with the aptX codec, providing surprisingly solid wireless sound quality for casual listening, even though most enthusiasts still prefer wired or network streaming for critical sessions.

The Flex 2’s addition of Snapdragon Sound with aptX over Bluetooth 5.3 is still seen as a welcome upgrade that brings slightly higher quality, lower latency streams for compatible Android phones, though iPhone owners cannot benefit and some reviewers view it as a modest bonus rather than a must-have compared with bigger battery or hardware upgrades.

With the Plus version, the StormBox Mini+ adds support for the AAC Bluetooth codec, which reviewers note should give iPhone owners a modest bump in wireless audio quality versus basic SBC only budget speakers.

Bluetooth 5.1 with AAC support provides solid quality for casual wireless music streaming, though more demanding listeners may still prefer wired or higher end solutions.

The Wonderboom 4 sticks to the basic SBC Bluetooth codec with no support for higher bitrate or hi res options, which is typical for small portable speakers at this price but means outright audio fidelity is limited compared with models that offer more advanced codecs.

The Charge 6 uses a modern Bluetooth 5.4 radio but is limited to the standard SBC and AAC codecs, which keeps wireless performance reliable and broadly compatible even if it does not offer higher end hi res Bluetooth formats.

Reviews note that the Move 2 uses AAC over Bluetooth and omits higher-resolution Android-friendly codecs such as AptX HD and LDAC, a limitation that may not bother casual listeners but can disappoint Android users who expect better wireless fidelity.

The Bounce supports only SBC and AAC over Bluetooth, and reviewers point out that the lack of higher quality codecs and occasional AAC compression artifacts limit its appeal for more demanding wireless audio listeners.