If you own a bar, nightclub, restaurant, or venue - you've likely considered hosting weekly karaoke nights or adding in self-service karaoke or karaoke rooms for an extra revenue boost. Adding karaoke to your establishment can be a great way to attract new customers and is relatively easy. All you need to do is find the perfect place for the set-up, market to your current customers, and invite everyone to start singing along to their favorite songs.
However, there are a few things you'll need to consider before investing in the best karaoke machines on the market.
We're here to walk you through the options available for karaoke machines, so you can weigh the pros and cons and find the best karaoke solution for your bar or venue.
Here's everything you need to know about professional karaoke machines:
Should you get a karaoke machine or make your own set-up?
Karaoke machines are a great affordable plug-and-play solution for bars and venues. They can be a great go-to solution for businesses and individuals looking to get set up with a temporary karaoke solution relatively quickly. However, it's not the best (or only) option you have available.
In most cases, it is best to work with an AV professional and build your own karaoke set-up for your venue. This will ensure you create the best professional karaoke experience for your customers.
Karaoke machines often lack the customization needed to attract new customers and create a fun-filled experience. They don't have any of the additional features of subscription-based karaoke systems, don't offer any integrations, and can end up being a costly investment in the long run.
However, if you aren't sold on adding a fully customized set-up to your venue, bar, or restaurant - it's okay to start small with a singing karaoke machine and customize your solutions later.
Karaoke machines are a great "first step" for anyone looking to set up karaoke rooms, private karaoke sessions, or self-service karaoke. However, if you're looking for live-stage karaoke, a karaoke machine may not be a viable solution for your venue.
What to look for in a karaoke machine?
When looking for the best karaoke machine, you'll want to consider an affordable, functional, and versatile option that accommodates the space you plan to host karaoke sessions. Even though karaoke machines are a one time setup investment with an easy setup, they aren’t always the best option.
As mentioned above - a karaoke machine should always be a temporary solution, not a permanent one. If you want to have full-fledged karaoke nights and start attracting a crowd to your venue, you'll need a custom set-up with all the bells and whistles you need to keep your customers entertained all night.
What is the best professional karaoke machine?
1. Singing Machine SDL2093 Studio All-In-One Entertainment System
The Singing Machine features an 8” Full-range woofer and 3” tweeter for optimal sound and a high-quality experience. This heavy-duty battery-powered karaoke system features a professional, rigid look.
Pros:
- Doubles as a PA system for events and announcements
- Battery-powered and portable
- 14 auto-tune audio effects
Cons:
- Only around 25+ hours of playtime on a charged battery
- Customers complain about problems with charging and the battery
- Not recommended for live karaoke sessions in bars
Pricing: $249.99
2. ION Audio Party Rocker Max
The Audio Party Rocker Max is a portable singing karaoke machine with 100 watts of dynamic power. It comes with a high-quality microphone and features dual microphone input, so you don't need to worry about that unwanted echoing effect getting in the way of the experience.
Pros:
- Long battery life - over 75 hours of playtime
- Wireless Bluetooth connectivity that can connect to iPhones, tablets, and computers
- Playful LED colors
Cons:
- Not the best sound quality compared to other options on the. market
- Smaller than other options, 11 x 15 x 20.4 inches
- Doesn't have a professional look or feel, which can be off-putting in a business setting
Pricing: Available for $79.99 to $239.00
3. Rybozen Wireless Microphone Karaoke Mixer System
The Rybozen Mixer System features 2 handheld wireless microphones with a range of up to 100 feet. It's easy to use and compatible with most technology, like computers, TVs, tablets, and phones.
With this karaoke machine, you must invest in a speaker, Bluetooth-connected device, TV, and a karaoke software solution like Singa. This ensures you have everything to create a karaoke system for your venue. This set-up is ideal for small get-togethers and at-home karaoke.
Pros:
- Can be customized to suit your needs
- Comes with two wireless microphones perfect for duets and singalongs
Cons:
- Somewhat outdated set-up and configurations
- Some customers struggle with connectivity problems
Pricing: $99 for the mixer system, but this doesn't include the TV, software, and other devices you can start singing.
4. Moukey Karaoke Machine
The Moukey Karaoke Machine features a PA system, two wireless microphones, a portable Bluetooth speaker, and party lights to keep the fun going all night. The portable set-up has a professional look and feel. The speaker features a 10'' woofer (160 Watt) and a 3'' tweeter for crisp, high-quality sound.
The set-up also features a tablet stand so individuals can read the lyrics if they don't have a TV or a computer. For the best experience, we recommend pairing this karaoke machine with Singa. Singa is a professional karaoke software tool for bars, venues, and restaurants. With this software, you can provide your customers with a fun, professional karaoke experience.
Pros:
- Comes with all the tech and equipment you need to start singing right away
- Crisp, high-end sound quality
Cons:
- The microphones don't have the longest battery life
- Not a great permanent solution for a bar or venue.
Pricing: $239.99
5. TONOR Wireless Karaoke Machine
The TONOR karaoke machine has everything you need for a fun-filled karaoke session. This set-up features an 8" subwoofer and two 3" tweeters. This karaoke machine also has two wireless microphones, an LED light, a tablet holder, and a fun disco ball to help get the party started. The light attached moves and blinks to the sound of the music being sung, so you can always expect an interactive experience.
Pros:
- Each wireless microphone features up to 12 hours of battery life
- Easily connects to any smartphone or device
Cons:
- Relatively expensive for a temporary solution
- Not the best sound quality for the price
Pricing: Roughly $319 for the set-up, this doesn't include the TV or software needed.
Take your karaoke nights to the next level with Singa
No matter what custom set-up or karaoke machine you have: you need software like Singa. Singa is the complete karaoke experience. It provides instant access to thousands of songs at their fingertips. Our karaoke software ensures your customers can have a full-fledged karaoke night at your venue with no interruptions.
If you're ready to revamp the experience for your customers, you've come to the right place.