Bluetooth Classic vs Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Have you ever connected your phone to a wireless speaker or paired a smartwatch?Now, we all use Bluetooth for these daily tasks, but did you know there are two types of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)? And they do the same job, but do it very differently.

Classic Bluetooth has a strong link with a high data transfer speed for a constant link like audio streaming, however, it consumes a lot of battery. Bluetooth Low Energy was designed to be more energy-efficient than its predecessors, making it perfect for low-powered devices like wearables and sensors to work for hours.

Bluetooth tech has evolved, and I’ve found that fascinating to observe. Bluetooth Classic is often overkill for low-powered devices. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) revolutionized our battery life expectations in connected devices. So, now we see an overview of key differences between these two technologies and how you can choose the best one suited for you.

What is Bluetooth Classic?

Bluetooth Classic is a short-range wireless communication technology usually working in the distance of 10 meters. This was primarily designed for streaming and high-throughput applications.

In my experience with TWS earbuds, Bluetooth Classic has always been the way to go, whether with wireless audio systems or streaming media players. This provides one of its greatest benefits, the capability to maintain a continuous transfer of high-quality audio data, albeit it does take up a bit more energy.

Key Features of Bluetooth Classic

• Data Transfer: Designed for continuous data streaming, supporting point-to-point data transfer of files, audio, and video. It offers higher data rates, with speeds ranging from 1 to 3 Mbps.
• Applications: Generally used for wireless devices such as headsets, speakers, car audio systems, keyboards, mice, and file transfer between devices. This is perfect for providing applications that require a sustained connection and faster data rates.
• Technology: In Bluetooth Classic, frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) helps reduce interference as it hops rapidly across 79 channels. The channels are one MHz apart.
• Power Usage: More than Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
• Pairing: Standard Bluetooth devices require a pairing process to create a secure and long-lasting connection.

Bluetooth Classic’s Use Cases

Bluetooth Classic finds use in applications requiring a continuous stream of data and possibly applications with higher throughput requirements. Here are some of the possible application domains:

• Wireless Audio and Music Streaming: Bluetooth Classic is mostly utilized for music streaming in headphones, speakers, and car audio systems.
• File Transfer: Bluetooth Classic is a means of transferring files between personal devices (smartphones, tablets, computers) based on faster and more stable data transfer.
• Game Controllers: High responsive game controllers are regularly connected to the game console or PC systems using Bluetooth Classic.
• Automotive: Bluetooth Classic is widely used in automotive systems for hands-free access to mobile phones in cars, hands-free calling, and music access.
• Medical Devices: Bluetooth Classic is implemented with some medical monitoring devices, allowing for real-time transmission of patients' health monitoring data.

Bluetooth Classic is preferred for applications that require permanent connections, high data transfer rates, and large amounts of data. The higher power consumption is justified for many domains, including audio streaming, file sharing, and real-time control, and it remains the best solution according to many studies.

What is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)?

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a short-range wireless communication technology with low energy consumption. Bluetooth is a short-range device, meaning it cannot transfer data over a very long distance, hence saving energy.

While researching IoT for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), I found out that it's a critical component in most of the modern IoT and electronics devices around. Basically, to get an idea, the use cases are that you don't have to charge your smart wearable every few hours. It is cheap as chips power and stable as all hell.

Key Features of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

• Low Power Usage: In Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), the devices are designed to be energy-efficient; they can sleep when not in use to maximize a battery's life. Regular coin batteries can power most BLE devices for years.
• Data Type Limitation: BLE is suitable for small packets of data transferring between the receiver and sender, suitable for updates and not for ongoing data transfer. This makes it suitable for applications like environmental sensing or health monitoring.
• Connection Modes: In BLE connection modes, devices could work as peripheral or central devices. One device (usually the smartphone) is called the central node, while the other devices themselves are peripheral devices (e.g., health trackers).
• Compatibility: BLE and Bluetooth Classic are independent standards, but most modern devices support both to enhance the user experience.

Application Scenarios for BLE

• Wearable Devices: BLE is used in fitness trackers and smartwatches to transmit data like heart rate and steps with minimal battery consumption.
• Smart Home: BLE technology is used for smart locks, thermostats, light bulbs, and other IoT systems that need low-energy connectivity to control remotely.
• Medical Monitoring: Through this technology, continuous monitoring of patients is done, and the data is transmitted to the doctor or mobile applications in real-time.

BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology is a breakthrough that reduces power consumption while enabling a reliable connection, so it is your preferred technology for new smart devices to rely on in your IoT projects!

Differences Between Bluetooth Classic and BLE

Bluetooth Classic is perfect for applications that require streaming and transfer of data at high rates continuously, while BLE is ideal for low power applications that only need small bursts of data transfer periodically, which means BLE is also perfect for long battery life devices.

Bluetooth Classic vs Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Comparison

Summary of Differences

• Power Consumption: Bluetooth Classic consumes a relatively high amount of power, which makes it unsuitable for battery-operated devices. By contrast, BLE consumes much less energy, allowing devices to operate for months or even years on a limited battery supply.
• Data Transfer Speeds: Bluetooth Classic provides higher transfer speeds up to 3 megabits per second, which is suitable for applications like audio streaming. However, BLE has a 1 Mbps maximum data rate, which is low, but it is sufficient for periodic data.
• Range: Bluetooth Classic usually provides a much longer communication range (up to 100 m), whereas BLE typically operates within a shorter distance (up to 50 m).
• Connection Complexity: Bluetooth Classic has a more complex connection process and takes time to establish, while BLE connections are faster and traditionally easier to pair.
• Use Cases: BLE is not designed for high-throughput data transfer with low delay, making it more suitable for applications where periodic connections are made, such as data traffic sensors that require no more than 30 seconds to transfer. BLE is used in devices that require low power, like fitness trackers, smart home devices, and IoT sensors.

In short, it is up to the application to decide between Classic Bluetooth and BLE, depending on whether it requires saving power, the volume of data to be processed, or specific use cases.

Why BLE Could Be a Preferred Option for Some Applications

Choose Bluetooth technology according to required battery life and data. If a device requires less data but must not use much power, it uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE); for continuous high-speed data transfer between devices, Classic Bluetooth is used.

Devices That Can Make the Most of BLE

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is ideal for small devices like a Fitbit or wearables that require long battery life but do not require data in a constant stream.

• IoT Devices: BLE, ideal for smart devices (including smart thermostats and sensors), sends small chunks of information at intervals and can last longer.

The only thing of interest for Bluetooth Classic is that there must be at least one supported (preferably low-energy) device available for the application.

• High-Speed Applications: For high-bandwidth applications such as video or audio streaming, Bluetooth Classic is the better choice.
• Continuous Data Streams: Bluetooth Classic offers assurance in quality performance and stability, making it the ideal fit for products like wireless headphones and speakers.

Conclusion

In short, Bluetooth Classic excels in high-bandwidth, continuous communication, while BLE shines in power-efficient, low-bandwidth, intermittent communication. The best technology depends on your specific device requirements.

Not sure which Bluetooth technology is right for your project? We’ll analyze your needs and provide the perfect solution. Contact us NOW for free!