Birthday celebration around the corner? Know an aspiring pop star who needs to practice for The X Factor? Or want to take your next dinner party to the next level? It’s time to invest in your own karaoke machine and get the party started.
Karaoke is a great way to bring friends and family of all ages together, let your inhibitions go - and laugh at hilarious footage the next day.
Singing can increase your endorphins, improving your mood and mental stimulation, and with karaoke, it doesn’t matter whether or not you can hit the high notes. So forget any embarrassment, gather your loved ones and unleash your inner Adele, Elton John, Beyonce and Elvis.
Still a fixture in Japanese socialising to this day, the origins of the karaoke machine date back to the Land of the Rising Sun where the first prototype was created by Shigeichi Negishi in 1967, but it was really in snack bars and with more progressive technology where the popularity grew.
What to consider when choosing a karaoke machine
Style: Looking for a machine that is compact and portable and ready to take your Saturday night drinks? Or after something a little more sturdy, maybe even on a stand to leave in your living room? Think about the size and style of your karaoke machine when browsing and your storage options.
Microphones: Most machines come with at least one microphone, easy to plug into the input socket or wireless. But for all those duet moments, it may be worth finding a machine which has a second microphone, or the option to plug in or connect an extra one if purchased additionally.
Speakers: Sound quality is key – if you’re belting it out tune after tune, you’re going to want the speakers to be decent. Some machines have built-in speakers which are super convenient, while others need to be synced up with one separately either via Bluetooth or a cable.
Screen: Where the lyrics are displayed is pretty important – you may know some off by heart (queue every single from Abba) but having the words in front of you will make you feel more confident and ensure you keep in time. Some karaoke machines have built-in screens, while others can be connected to your TV or smartphone to display the lyrics.
Special effects: This is the fun part! Check out some of the special features that karaoke machines can have – from tweaking your vocals with an echoey effect or adding an autotune option to make you sound perfectly in key (no matter how many wines down you are). They may even have flashing lights or sound effects to create the ultimate party vibe.
Best karaoke machines at a glance
Shop the best karaoke machines below and get ready to sing your heart out…
Lucky Voice Karaoke Kit
Best for: belting out bangers
Transform your living room into a karaoke bar with this slick, professional-looking set from Lucky Voice. Set-up is easy – simply connect the black compact mixer to your laptop, iPad or TV using the AUX cable, sync up your own speakers, plug in the jazzy chrome gold microphone and get singing.
There are more than 10,000 songs to choose from on Lucky Voice Online, so whether you’re a country, rock or pop fan, there is something for everyone and there’s a voucher code for a month of free singing included. Why not grab an extra microphone to take it to the next level?
Buy now £59.99, Amazon
Mr Entertainer Moonbox Karaoke Machine
Best for: party vibes
Be the next big thing with this all-in-one karaoke machine that includes its own built-in speaker, disco light and microphone. Connect your smart device, load up your favourite songs on YouTube and other karaoke apps and hit the notes while dancing around freely, wireless microphone in hand.
The high-definition speakers will produce great quality sound, while the rotating disco ball with a ‘moonglow’ light effect and the illuminated LED front panel will bring the ultimate party atmosphere. The machine features a leather carry handle and rechargeable battery making it a great portable option to take outside, upstairs or even on the move with you.
Buy now £99.99, Amazon
RockJam SingCube Karaoke Machine
Best for: song selection
Stream your favourite songs from YouTube or Amazon Music and sing along with the lyrics on your smart TV or mobile device – just plug this machine in via Bluetooth or the AUX inputs.
It comes with an inbuilt five-watt speaker, two microphones and optional LED light effects which move in time to the beat – gather your guests and take your night in to the next level. With its convenient carrying handle, lightweight design and rechargeable battery, you can take it on trips with you and sing your heart out for up to four hours.
Buy now £41.46, Amazon
iDance Sing Cube Bluetooth Karaoke System
Best for: disco lights
Unleash ballads, show tunes and chart-toppers in style with a karaoke cube that’s champing at the bit to get the party started. Expect a disco ball, FM radio, decent audio, plus a pair of microphone slots and somewhere to plug in a guitar if you want to get rock ‘n’ roll about things.
One microphone is included but there are slots for two for your future duets (you just need to purchase additional) and it is Bluetooth compatible.
Buy now £50.00, Argos
JYX Karaoke Machine
Best for: a high-performance system
Look like a pro when performing your go-to karaoke songs with JYX’s super smart and highly functional machine. Providing up to eight hours of uninterrupted fun (thanks to its powerful rechargeable battery), sync up your smart device via AUX or Bluetooth connectivity and show off your rhythm just like a pop star.
You can adjust the treble, bass and echo on the speaker to produce crystal-clear sound and use the remote control to switch the music and dial up the volume. It includes two wireless microphones and a useful comfy shoulder trap to take the tunes with you wherever you go.
Buy now £125.00, Amazon
Easy Karaoke Bluetooth Pedestal Karaoke Machine
Best for: duets
Form an orderly queue to use this pedestal-style karaoke machine. With its professional appearance and funky LED light show, you’ll want to have a go with one of the mics - whether you can stay in tune or not.
Affix your tablet to the cradle, hook up your smart device via Bluetooth, and take centre stage (in your living room). The speakers are powerful with a master volume control and it comes with two microphones with their own echo and volume control as well as holders on the side to place them neatly in when not in use.
Buy now £165.00, Argos
Ankuka 4-in-1 Karaoke Wireless Microphone
Best for: value for money
Forgo tripping over wires and hauling bulky boxes; this simple mic puts everything right in the palm of your hand. The four-in-one works as a mic, Bluetooth speaker, loudspeaker and recorder - it even flashes lights! Expect up to eight hours of interruption-free warbling on a single charge.
Buy now £16.97, Amazon
Vocal-Star Karaoke Machine
Best for: feeling like a pop star
It may be a slightly more expensive option, but Vocal Star's karaoke machine is certainly money well spent for households that like to warble together.
Suitable for the whole gang, the set includes two wireless mics, a soundbar for pitch-perfect sound (so you can hear every note) and cables to connect the device to your smart TV, tablet or phone.
The black gloss soundbar is the USP of this bundle; it's perfect for hitting the high notes but will also come in useful for movie night or your next gaming session. It comes with integrated RGBW light effects to help create a party atmosphere.
Buy now £129.99, Amazon
Easy Karaoke EKS213-BT Bluetooth Karaoke Machine
Best for: a small yet powerful option
Plug in the mic, turn up the volume and prepare to bring the house down. Easy Karaoke’s super-functional machine comes with two mic jacks, a built-in speaker and screen, and atmospheric lights to make it feel like you’re out-out. Just connect your handset and get ready to nail those high notes.
Buy now £70.00, Argos
SDRD Karaoke Machine
Best for: Simon Cowell types
Need a failsafe option for a festive knees-up? Cast aside Monopoly for this terrifically tacky karaoke system, which comes with two wireless smart mics, powerful stereo speakers and the ability to mute a singer if they’re not quite cutting it. Brutal? Sure. But useful if the neighbours start to complain.
Buy now £69.99, Amazon
Coolmusic BP Sing Karaoke Machine
Best for: assimilating into interiors
Throw out the karaoke machine playbook and give a warm welcome to Coolmusic’s retro-look machine. The neat device is a low-key powerhouse, offering crooning ability, a 3-band equalizer and exceptional audio - even outside. And the aesthetics? The least offensive of the lot. Very demure.
Buy now £109.00, Amazon
