Bluetooth Facts for Kids

A typical Bluetooth headset connects to a mobile phone using Bluetooth.

USB adapters like this help Personal computers talk using Bluetooth.

The Bluetooth logo.

Bluetooth is a special way for electronic devices to talk to each other without wires. It's like a tiny, short-range radio that lets your gadgets share information. This technology was created in the 1990s to get rid of messy cables.

Many devices use Bluetooth, such as mobile phones, laptops, PCs, printers, digital cameras, and video game consoles. They connect using radio waves, and the connection is safe and secure. Bluetooth usually works best over short distances, like a few meters. Some stronger signals can reach up to 100 meters.

Bluetooth has different versions, and they can send data at speeds from 1 to 3 million bits per second. A common use for Bluetooth is connecting a headset to your phone or linking a computer mouse, keyboard, or printer to your computer.

Bluetooth devices use a special radio frequency band around 2.4 GHz. This frequency can be used all over the world without needing to pay extra fees. However, other devices also use this band, like wireless phones (DECT), smart tags, and baby monitors. Bluetooth uses the same radio space as some Wi-Fi networks, but it sends data in a different way. It uses a method called frequency-hopping spread spectrum to avoid interference.

How does Bluetooth compare to Wi-Fi?
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How does Bluetooth compare to Wi-Fi?

Today, you might use either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for many tasks. This includes setting up small networks, printing documents, or sending files from a PDA to a computer. Both are wireless technologies that don't require special licenses.

What are the differences?

Wi-Fi can cover larger areas and send data much faster than Bluetooth. However, Bluetooth devices are often cheaper and use less power. Both technologies use the same radio frequency range, but they send their signals differently.

Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi were designed to replace cables. Bluetooth aimed to get rid of the cables for small devices like headphones or keyboards. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, was made to replace the cables needed for a larger computer network in a home or office.

What devices use Bluetooth?

A Bluetooth USB dongle that can reach up to 100 meters.

You can find Bluetooth in many products, like phones, the Wii game console, or the PlayStation 5. It's also built into some smartwatches, modems, and headsets. Bluetooth is great for sending small amounts of information between devices that are close to each other. For example, it's often used to send sound to a Bluetooth headset or to transfer files between handheld computers.

Bluetooth uses special rules that make it easy for devices to find each other and connect. Bluetooth devices can even tell you what services they offer. This makes it simpler to use them, as many settings for security or sharing are handled automatically.

What about Wi-Fi devices?

Wi-Fi networks are more like traditional computer networks. They usually need more setup to get started and to share things with other devices. Wi-Fi devices also use more power than Bluetooth ones.

Sometimes, Wi-Fi networks are called wireless Ethernet. While Wi-Fi needs more effort to set up, it offers much faster data transfer speeds. It also generally provides better security than Bluetooth.