Portable Karaoke Machines: Our Picks by Type
Portable karaoke machines fall into four rough types. Party speakers with wireless mics are the all-rounders. Screen machines show lyrics without a phone. Classic CD+G players suit disc collections. Kids' models trade power for simple controls and AA batteries.
How the types differ
- Party speakers (TONOR K20, K6, K9) play music wirelessly from your phone (Bluetooth on the K20; TONOR calls the K6/K9 link "wireless 5.0") and add wireless mics. The lyrics stay on the phone or tablet.
- Screen machines (Singing Machine ISM9025 and ISM9011, Ikarao Shell S1) have their own touchscreen and Wi-Fi apps, and HDMI to send lyrics to a TV.
- Classic CD+G players (Singing Machine SML385) read karaoke discs and send lyrics to a TV over RCA.
- Kids' models (Kids Star Stage, Lil' Rex, VTech Kidi Star) are simple, light and battery-run.
Our picks
TONOR K20 Wireless Karaoke Machine
Who it suits: Hosts who want one box for music and singing, with two wireless mics and a large woofer.
What the maker lists:
- 8-inch subwoofer and two 3-inch tweeters
- Peak power of up to 250 W, as the maker states it
- Two wireless microphones included (named in the title of TONOR's two-mic K20 page)
- Built-in 7000 mAh rechargeable battery; TONOR rates it at up to 12 hours of music playback
- Bluetooth, USB, TF (microSD) card and 3.5 mm AUX inputs
- Wooden cabinet
- Disco ball and LED lights on the front
Check before buying: TONOR doesn't give a weight on the pages we used, so check it if you'll carry it far.
Specs from TONOR (K20 Wireless Karaoke Machine page) and TONOR (K20 with 2 Wireless Microphones page), read 2026-10-19.
TONOR K6 Karaoke Machine
Who it suits: Small gatherings and backyard sing-alongs where a socket isn't always close: the maker lists about 8 hours of battery.
What the maker lists:
- 6.5-inch subwoofer and 1.6-inch tweeter
- Two UHF wireless microphones with an LED display; the mics take 2 AAA batteries (not included)
- About 8 hours of battery life, per the maker
- Wireless 5.0 (TONOR's wording; it doesn't say Bluetooth), USB flash drive, TF card and AUX inputs
- FM radio, and recording to a USB drive or TF card
- TWS mode pairs two K6 units for stereo
- Ring light and strobe that follow the music
Check before buying: The mics take AAA batteries that aren't included, so add a pack to the order.
Specs from TONOR, read 2026-10-19.
Singing Machine Ultimate Wi-Fi Karaoke Party (ISM9025)
Who it suits: Families who want lyrics on a built-in screen and streaming apps without a phone, plus HDMI out to a TV.
What the maker lists:
- 10.1-inch LCD touchscreen running Android
- Built-in apps the maker lists: Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, SMC Karaoke, YouTube and other apps the maker lists
- Two rechargeable wireless microphones, plus two jacks for wired mics (not included)
- HDMI port for an external display
- Lead vocal remover, 22 voice effects plus echo
- Bluetooth, line-in and USB (MP3/MP4 playback); recording and playback
- AC adapter in the box; the maker gives the product weight as 8.4 lb
Check before buying: The maker's box list includes an AC adapter and mentions no battery, so plan for a socket. App catalogs can need their own subscriptions.
Specs from Singing Machine, read 2026-10-19.
Ikarao Shell S1 Karaoke Machine
Who it suits: Singers who want a 10.1-inch screen, KaraFun preloaded and mics that charge on the machine.
What the maker lists:
- 10.1-inch touchscreen for lyrics; YouTube after connecting to Wi-Fi
- KaraFun preloaded with a 6-month membership, per the maker
- Two magnetic self-charging wireless microphones that recharge when docked
- 2.2-channel speakers: two 3.5-inch woofers and two 1-inch tweeters; the maker rates it at 280 W
- Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth, USB, HDMI and AUX
Check before buying: The KaraFun membership is time-limited, per the maker. Check what it costs to continue.
Specs from Ikarao, read 2026-10-19.
Singing Machine SML385BTW Bluetooth Karaoke System with CD+G
Who it suits: Households with CD+G discs, who want lyrics on a TV over RCA cables.
What the maker lists:
- Plays CD+G karaoke discs; the lyrics show when it's connected to a TV
- RCA video and audio outputs to a TV. Nothing shows on the TV in Bluetooth or line-in mode
- Bluetooth streaming (up to 33 ft in open space, per the maker) and a 3.5 mm line-in
- One wired microphone in the box; echo control
- Singing Machine recommends its mobile app over Bluetooth; the full catalog needs an in-app subscription
- 3.5 W (RMS) output; runs on the included AC adapter (DC 5.8 V)
- The maker gives 5.3 lb and 13.2 x 10.5 x 9.3 in
Check before buying: There's no HDMI; you need a TV with RCA (composite) inputs or an adapter. One wired mic in the box.
Specs from Singing Machine support (SML385BTW), read 2026-10-19.
Singing Machine Kids Star Stage (SMK910PP)
Who it suits: Young children: a lit star-base stand with one wired kids' mic, running on AA batteries.
What the maker lists:
- Adjustable microphone stand on a star-shaped, lit base
- Built-in speaker and pre-recorded songs
- Line-in for a phone, tablet or MP3 player
- One children's wired microphone with volume control
- Singing Machine's mobile app, listed for Android tablets, adds songs
- Runs on 3 AA batteries (not included)
- The maker lists 2 lb and up to 39.4 in tall
Check before buying: Batteries aren't included, and songs beyond the preloaded ones come through the maker's app, which Singing Machine lists for Android tablets.
Specs from Singing Machine, read 2026-10-19.
Side by side
| Model | Microphones | Screen | TV connection | Power | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TONOR K20 Wireless Karaoke Machine | 2 wireless | none | No HDMI listed | Rechargeable, up to 12 h (maker) | Check price on Amazon |
| TONOR K6 Karaoke Machine | 2 UHF wireless | none | No HDMI listed | Rechargeable, about 8 hours (maker) | Check price on Amazon |
| Singing Machine Ultimate Wi-Fi Karaoke Party (ISM9025) | 2 rechargeable wireless (+2 wired jacks) | 10.1-inch touchscreen | HDMI port | AC adapter | Check price on Amazon |
| Ikarao Shell S1 Karaoke Machine | 2 Bluetooth wireless, self-charging | 10.1-inch touchscreen | HDMI | Not stated | Check price on Amazon |
| Singing Machine SML385BTW Bluetooth Karaoke System with CD+G | 1 wired | none | RCA video and audio out (CD+G lyrics only; no HDMI) | AC adapter (DC 5.8 V) | Check price on Amazon |
| Singing Machine Kids Star Stage (SMK910PP) | 1 wired kids' mic | none | No | 3 AA batteries (not included) | Check price on Amazon |
From each maker's published specs (sources on the cards). "Not stated" means the maker source we used doesn't say.
Before you buy
- Count the mics. Two wireless mics are common on party machines. The kids' models here have one mic each.
- Check the power. Battery hours appear only where a maker publishes them. Both Singing Machine screen machines list an AC adapter in the box.
- Check the TV link. HDMI is the simple route to a modern TV. RCA suits older TVs or needs an adapter.
- Read the box contents. Mic batteries are often extra.
Go deeper
FAQ
What makes a karaoke machine portable?
A carry handle or wheels, and ideally a built-in rechargeable battery. Some machines on this list run only from an AC adapter, so we list the power source on every card.
Do I need a screen for karaoke?
No. A Bluetooth machine can play the backing track from your phone while you read the lyrics on that phone. A built-in screen or HDMI port makes it easier for a group to follow along.
Can I connect a karaoke machine to my TV?
Machines with an HDMI port can, and the SML385 uses RCA cables for lyrics. Bluetooth-only party speakers don't send lyrics to a TV.
Are the microphones included?
On every machine on this list, yes, but the type and number vary. Each card lists what the maker says comes with it.