Bluetooth technology has permeated our lives widely: wireless headphones, smartwatches, game controllers, in-car voice systems, IoT devices… But do you really understand what Bluetooth protocols your devices support, how fast they are, and how far they can transmit? This blog will systematically guide you through the history and technical differences of Bluetooth protocols.
1. Background of Bluetooth Technology: From Audio Jumpers to the Hub of Everything Connected
Bluetooth (Bluetooth) technology was first proposed by Ericsson in 1994, aiming to replace serial and short-distance cable transmission solutions. With the explosion of wireless audio, the Internet of Things, and smart wearables, it has gradually evolved into a low-power, short-range, low-latency, multi-purpose communication standard.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) currently has over 35,000 member manufacturers, including Apple, Huawei, Microsoft, Intel, Qualcomm, Nordic, etc., which formulate protocols and promote hardware and system support.
2. Three Core Types of Bluetooth Protocol Family
Bluetooth is not a single protocol but a family of protocols, mainly divided into three categories:
|
Protocol Type |
Abbreviation |
Application Area |
Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Classic Bluetooth |
BR/EDR |
Audio, Keyboard/Mouse, File Transfer |
Stable, High Bandwidth, High Power Consumption |
|
Low Energy Bluetooth |
BLE |
IoT, Wearables, Smart Home |
Energy-efficient, High Concurrency, Short Data |
|
Bluetooth Mesh |
Mesh |
Multi-node Communication, Smart Lighting Control |
Strong Networking Capability, Low Bandwidth |
3. Comparison of Bandwidth, Distance, and Applicable Scenarios of Different Protocols
|
Protocol |
Bluetooth Version Start |
Theoretical Rate |
Actual Rate |
Typical Distance |
Application Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BR (Basic Rate) |
v1.0+ |
1 Mbps |
~720 Kbps |
10 meters |
Old Bluetooth Keyboards/Serial Modules |
|
EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) |
v2.0+ |
3 Mbps |
~2.1 Mbps |
10-20 meters |
Bluetooth Headsets, In-car Devices |
|
BLE (Low Energy Bluetooth) |
v4.0+ |
1 Mbps |
~0.5 Mbps |
50 meters+ |
Wearables, Door Sensors, Temperature and Humidity Sensors |
|
BLE 5.0+ (High-Speed Mode) |
v5.0 |
2 Mbps |
~1.5 Mbps |
40-80 meters |
High-speed IoT, Mobile/Watch Interconnection |
|
BLE 5.0+ (Low-Speed Long-Distance Mode) |
v5.0 |
125 Kbps / 500 Kbps |
~0.1 Mbps |
Up to 240 meters |
Outdoor Positioning, Long-Distance Control |
|
Bluetooth Mesh |
v4.0 (based on BLE) |
< 100 Kbps |
~tens of Kbps |
Multi-hop covering hundreds of meters |
Smart Home/Building Control |
⚠️ Note: Bandwidth is inversely proportional to distance, in the BLE protocol, if the long-distance mode is enabled, the rate will significantly decrease.
4. Overview of Common Bluetooth Protocols and Functions
|
Protocol Name |
Type |
Function |
Application Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
A2DP |
BR/EDR |
High-Quality Audio Transmission |
Bluetooth Headsets, Speakers |
|
HFP/HSP |
BR/EDR |
Bluetooth Calling, Voice Control |
In-car Systems |
|
HID |
BR/EDR |
Mouse/Keyboard Control |
Bluetooth Keyboards, Game Controllers |
|
SPP |
BR |
Serial Port Transmission |
Industrial Control Devices, Serial Modules |
|
GATT |
BLE |
Data Service Protocol |
Heart Rate, Temperature Sensors, etc. |
|
LE Audio |
BLE 5.2+ |
Next-Generation Audio Protocol (Multi-Device Broadcasting) |
Hearing Aids, Shared Headphones |
5. Bluetooth Versions and Support Capabilities: Understanding Device Performance at a Glance
|
Bluetooth Version |
Release Year |
Supported Protocols |
Transmission Capability |
Key Improvements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.1+EDR |
2007 |
BR/EDR |
3 Mbps |
Simplified Pairing |
|
4.0 |
2010 |
BR/EDR + BLE |
First Introduction of BLE |
Launch of Low-Power Devices |
|
4.2 |
2014 |
Same as Above |
Supports IPv6 |
Stronger Privacy/Data Transmission |
|
5.0 |
2016 |
BR/EDR + Enhanced BLE |
2 Mbps / 240m |
Supports Long Distance, Dual Rate |
|
5.2 |
2020 |
Optimized BLE |
Isochronous Audio |
Supports LE Audio |
|
5.3 |
2021 |
Enhanced BLE |
Further Reduced Power Consumption |
Optimized Broadcast Period Control |
|
5.4 |
2023 |
BLE + Group Broadcasting |
Strengthened IoT Direction |
Better Adaptation for Large Node Broadcasting |
6. How to Determine Which Bluetooth Protocols My Device Supports?
1. Check the Device Manual
-
Search for “Bluetooth 5.0 / 5.2 / BLE Support”
-
Key Protocol Support Fields: A2DP, LE Audio, Mesh, GATT, etc.
2. Windows Query Method
-
Open
<span>Device Manager</span>→ Bluetooth → Properties → Advanced -
Check the
<span>Firmware Version (LMP)</span>corresponding Bluetooth version:
|
LMP Version |
Bluetooth Version |
|---|---|
|
6.x |
4.0 |
|
7.x |
4.1 |
|
8.x |
4.2 |
|
9.x |
5.0 |
|
10.x |
5.1 |
|
11.x |
5.2 |
|
12.x |
5.3 |
3. Third-Party Tools (Recommended)
-
nRF Connect (Android/iOS): Scan BLE Protocols and Services
-
Bluetooth Explorer (macOS)
-
Bluetooth Version Finder (Windows)
7. Bluetooth Protocol Application Recommendations: How to Choose Without Pitfalls?
|
Application Scenario |
Recommended Protocol |
Recommended Version |
|---|---|---|
|
Daily Headphones/Calls |
A2DP + HFP |
BR/EDR, Recommended 5.0+ |
|
Health Monitoring/Smart Bands |
BLE (GATT) |
Starting from 4.2, Recommended 5.2+ |
|
Low-Latency Audio/Shared Headphones |
LE Audio (Isochronous) |
Must be 5.2+ |
|
Smart Home Networking |
BLE + Mesh |
5.0+, Mesh Protocol Support |
|
Bluetooth Serial Debugging |
SPP |
Above 2.1+EDR |
Conclusion: Remember the Core Points of Bluetooth Protocols in One Sentence
Classic Bluetooth transmits quickly, BLE transmits efficiently, and Mesh transmits far, different devices and versions determine the limits of functionality and experience; it is not enough to just look at “supports Bluetooth” but also to consider “which protocols are supported”.
Additional Recommendations
If you are:
-
🎧 User: Confirm support for BLE 5.2+, A2DP, LE Audio protocols when purchasing devices;
-
💻 Technician: Pay attention to GATT table structure, security features, and low-power broadcast strategies when developing devices;
-
🔧 Maintenance Personnel: Determine compatibility through version numbers and troubleshoot the root causes of unstable connections;
-
🧠 Learner: You can think of Bluetooth protocols as a “road network” where different protocols are different lanes, with varying speeds, distances, and vehicles.