But because of this key limitation we don't think it's fit for a full-blown karaoke party. As a children's toy it does the job well, but we wouldn't ask it to be more than that. However, the key will be to ensure the sound comes out of your karaoke machine, if you'd rather it didn't come out of the TV. To do this, you'll either need to establish a Bluetooth connection between your TV and the karaoke machine, or use an AUX cable to connect them up. Do you need a TV for a karaoke machine? The music sounds good from the tall speaker, which has an impressive light display that can be set to react to the music being played. However, the maximum volume wasn't quite high enough for our testers, who sometimes felt they could sing louder than it. We also had no trouble establishing a Bluetooth connection between the machine and our smartphones and laptops. The FM radio had a somewhat patchy signal, even with its extendable aerial, but that's not what you're really planning on using your karaoke machine for. The speakers are where the sound comes out. Some karaoke machines have built-in speakers while others need to plug into a speaker, TV, hi-fi or PA system. Even if your machine has built-in speakers, it may still be best to plug it into a hi-fi system for better sound quality and more volume (neighbours’ sanity permitting).

Once we got this karaoke machine paired up via Bluetooth it sounded good, but getting it connected wasn't always straightforward. The look, feel and light displays of this karaoke machine are likely to appeal to younger aspiring singers and the limited maximum volume, while restrictive, may appeal to any parents who might be considering buying it.That’s fine if you’re happy to use the karaoke videos on YouTube – search for the name of a song followed by “lyrics” or “karaoke” and you will probably find something suitable. The quality can vary, though, and every now and then you might end up accidentally watching a video of some random people at a karaoke bar.

Microphones 2x wireless mics included (2x AA batteries required for each, none included), maximum two mics can used at the same time Microphones 2x wired microphones included (250cm cable), maximum two mics can be used at the same time

The answer depends largely on what equipment you already have. Most people will have a TV to plug into, but the TV’s speakers might not be powerful enough to cope with your enthusiastic hollering. Using separate hi-fi speakers is a good idea if they’re available. We found it easy to use, and our testers liked the 3D-style light display that shines through the speaker while it's in use. It nails the basics. It looks good, sounds good, and is easy to set up and use. The light display, although a little more understated than some more glittery competitors, still looks impressive and the amp-style appearance gives it appeal as a speaker as well as a karaoke machine. It depends on how visible you'd like the lyrics to be. If you're karaoke-ing in a large room or want lots of partygoers to join in while you sing, it can be helpful to have the lyrics displayed on a larger screen so they can easily be seen. The screen is where the lyrics are displayed. Not many karaoke machines have a built-in display so this will normally be your TV, although you can also use a PC screen or your phone or tablet. For obvious reasons, a larger screen works better because it means that you can prance around the room and really perform the song rather than being stood in front of a small display, straining your eyes to read the lyrics.

Need to know Rechargeable battery (6 hours of battery life), audio effects include echo only, LED light display, included accessories: 1x USB charging cable, 1x AUX cable If you want to take a power stance as you sing at the top of your voice and imagine the crowd going wild, we don't think there are many better home karaoke machines. Need to know Mains powered, audio effects include echo only, LED light display, included accessories: 1x audio/video out cable, 1x tablet/smartphone holder, 1x pre-loaded karaoke disc for TV display Need to know Rechargeable battery (4 hours of battery life), audio effects include echo, EQ presets, LED light display, included accesories: 1x USB charging cableThe short power cable also makes positioning it more challenging than some we tested, as it needs to be connected to mains electricity for it to work.

Microphones 2x wired microphones included (300cm cable), maximum two mics can be used at the same time Need to know Rechargeable battery (total battery life not stated), audio effects include echo, bass and treble, LED light display, included accessories: 1x USB charging cable, 1x AUX to AUX cable, 1x remote control, 1x carry strap Need to know Mains powered, audio effects include echo only, LED light display, included accessories: 1x carry strap, 1x AUX cable If you don’t relish the thought of scrabbling around with cables figuring out what goes where, an all-in-one system keeps things simple. Some machines will only require a TV to plug into and some even have screens built in – although the lyrics will be easier to read on a telly. Smart TVs that share the same wi-fi as your smartphone can connect via the screen-sharing function on your phone. You can then stream videos with the music and lyrics from your phone to your TV, using apps such as YouTube.Alternatively, you could just use the YouTube app on your smart TV if it has it, or connect your laptop to your TV using a HDMI cable. Guests at your next karaoke party will be wowed at the sight of this karaoke machine, which will command the room and make people feel like they're taking the stage when they get up to sing. The only downside, which led it to fall short of being a Best Buy, is that all the audio balancing controls are buttons that need to be repeatedly pressed or held down. Need to know Rechargeable battery (total battery life not stated), audio effects include echo only, two LED light displays (one on front of speaker and one on top), included accessories: 1x USB charging cable