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
- Best for belting out bangers: Lucky Voice Karaoke Kit – £59.99, Amazon
- Best for party vibes: Mr Entertainer Moonbox Karaoke Machine – £99.99, Amazon
- Best for song selection: RockJam SingCube Karaoke Machine – £33.04, Amazon
- Best for disco lights: iDance Sing Cube Bluetooth Karaoke System – £65, Argos
- Best for a high-performance system: JYX Karaoke Machine – £92.15, Amazon
- Best for duets: Easy Karaoke Bluetooth Pedestal Karaoke Machine – £165, Argos
- Best for value for money: Ankuka 4-in-1 Karaoke Wireless Microphone – £12.56, Amazon
- Best for feeling like a pop star: Vocal-Star Karaoke Machine – £159.99, Amazon
- Best for a small yet powerful option: Easy Karaoke EKS213-BT Bluetooth Karaoke Machine – £80, Argos
- Best for Simon Cowell types: SDRD Karaoke Machine – £69.99, Amazon
- Best for assimilating into interiors: Coolmusic BP Sing Karaoke Machine – £109, Amazon
Shop the best karaoke machines below and get ready to sing your heart out…