Voice amplifiers are essential for any large classroom, field trip, auditorium, or teacher who wants a solution to less yelling.
While non-teachers think being an educator is “easy” because you only teach 3-5 hours a day, we know that kind of class load is equivalent to a 3-5 hour speech every day, which can be exhausting.
This is where a voice amplifier comes in handy. It helps you not get so tired from talking all day, allows students to hear you more efficiently, and is incredibly helpful when feeling sick.
The surprising benefits of using an amplifier for your voice
In short, you’ll be more effective in the classroom. Not only will you get less tired from constantly raising your voice to give instructions, but you’ll also be in a better mood and have more energy for your final classes at the end of the day.
In addition, students will be able to hear you more easily. This is an obvious benefit, but when you have a voice amplifier, you can overtalk a noisy classroom to maintain control and have students understand the required instructions to complete the lesson objectives.
Last is for those days when you’re sick. We’ve all been there; you have a sore throat and are not in the mood to teach and manage a class. As a teacher, you have to push through; a voice amplifier helps with this.
What to look for in an amplifier?
Battery life, the microphone setup, the ability to use an external mic, and the audio quality are all things we consider when looking for the ideal voice amplifier for teaching. Some amplifiers are more geared for vocals; others can also be used for music.
Price does play a role, too as well. Depending on the size of your class and the features you need will determine the price point you look at. Most teachers will be OK with any budget to mid-range voice amplifier.
Our recommended voice amplifiers for teachers
So here is our curated list of a wide variety of voice amplifiers for teachers we liked and why as well as any negatives you should be aware of when making a purchase decision.
- Shidu voice amplifier
- W Winbridge Portable PA System
- Zoweetek Voice Amplifier
- Gigaphone G100S Portable Voice Amplifier
- Ankor Soundcore
- ION Audio Block Rocker Plus
- Bose SoundLink Color II
- Croove Voice Amplifier
- Maono Rechargeable Portable Mini Personal Speaker
Shidu voice amplifier – Best budget option for teachers.
The Shidu Mini is a small device, but it’s loud enough to be utilized in an ample space with 25 to 100 individuals. This rechargeable PA has a 10W power output and comes in black and pink.
Shidu Voice Amplifier
Our top pick for teachers. Small in size that can easily clip to a pocket or hang around your neck. It’s a good choice for a classroom setting.
It’s equipped with an 1800 mAh long-lasting battery that lasts 8 to 12 hours. The microphone is also lightweight and flexible, thanks to a flexible gooseneck design.
It’s designed to be portable since it can be clipped to your pocket, wrapped around your waist, or hung on your neck. Despite its diminutive stature, it does produce a big sound. It also does a fair enough job of blocking out ambient noise. This is a solid option for voice amplifiers meant to be used primarily indoors.
Pros:
- A good cheap device ideal for a classroom.
- Noise canceling microphone.
Cons:
- Has a plastic build overall.
W Winbridge Portable PA System – Best for speaking and presentations
This portable PA system has a U5 handheld Bluetooth microphone and a U8 wireless headset microphone, rather than the standard Wedge S92 transmitter with a boom mic. The speaker produces an excellent clear sound that a group may readily heard by a group of 50-150 people.
Windbridge PA System
A great PA system that can work up to 50 feet away. Comes with a bunch of accessories and is perfect for addressing a group of 50 to 150 people.
The main pa speaker unit has a sturdy, well-made feel about it and has useful buttons for controlling the device that are easy to access. The wireless voice amplifier comes with two portable microphones that you may place anywhere in the room, where you’ll be able to communicate roughly 50 feet away. The wireless microphone can also be quickly converted into a headset if you like.
Build quality could be better though for the headset and microphone overall. The actual PA system again is well built but the accessories appear to be on the cheap side.
Pros:
- A good PA system with a microphone or headset.
- Long range to enable you to speak up to 50 feet away.
Cons:
- The accessories work well but have a cheap build quality.
Zoweetek Voice Amplifier – Best small voice amplifier
This amplifier can reach up to 1000 square feet without distortion, making it loud and clear enough for outdoor settings or a large school hall. It’s suitable for about a 10,000-square-foot room or 25 – 100 people.
Zoweetek Voice Amplifier
Our go to recommendation if you’re looking for something small and affordable, ideal for a small room. Not ideal if you need something for a large audience however.
This small and lightweight amplifier can be clipped behind your back or side and can easily be positioned out of your way when teaching. It also comes with a strap similar to a camera strap so you can drape it over your head and have the speaker positioned right in front of you. It also comes with a built-in rechargeable lithium battery of 1800 mAh for 12 hours of usage.
The device may be charged using any USB cable and takes around 4 hours to fully charge, so you’ll need to prepare ahead of time as there is no fast charging option. It’s small size makes it ideal for clipping to your belt or pocket, and it is lightweight. It has 3.5 mm AUX audio input and the mic port may be used as a wired speaker for mobile phones, computers, and iPad, or tablets when connected to an external amplifier.
Pros:
- Acceptable sound quality in a small form factor.
- Perfect for in class use.
Cons:
- This is good for a teacher in a classroom, but it’s not particularly loud for a larger gathering.
Gigaphone G100S Portable Voice Amplifer – Loud enough for an assembly room.
The Gigaphone G100 amplifier has a 30-watt output, is loud, waterproof, and great for indoor and outdoor use. The sound is straightforward since it doesn’t pick up ambient noise, and the body of this amplifier is lightweight and features a unique design that protects it from shocks, dust, and falls.
![[ GIGAPHONE G100S ] 30Watts Portable Voice Amplifier with 2Types of Microphones, Belt Clip, and Shoulder Strap](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41bB71eHxIL._SL500_.jpg)
Gigaphone G100S
A basic, highly functional voice amplifier. It’s small in size with good build quality and it produces a loud noise. It’s a wired connection however.
Its patented circuit design eliminates transmitted voice distortion, making it ideal for field trips and large college classrooms since it works well while you move about. It lacks an AUX input. Therefore it’s not suitable for playing music. Last, it comes with a strap to put it over your neck and is sensitive enough to use while wearing a mask.
Pros:
- Small size with good sound quality.
- Mic is attached to device so you’ll never need to worry about losing a wireless connection.
Cons:
- Because it’s a wired connection, the device has to remain on you.
Ankor Soundcore – Ideal for pre-recorded lectures.
The Anker Soudcore connects to any Bluetooth-enabled device, allowing you to play recorded lectures or audio in your classroom. The battery life is 10 hours, and the speaker output is 20W. It’s ideal for a standard size classroom, not a lecture hall.
Ankor Soundcore
A well designed, loud speaker that’s perfect for playing pre-recorded lectures and videos in class. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
This is speaker is also perfect for outdoor or classroom instruction when you want to go hands-free. You will need to buy an additional wireless microphone, or you can use your phone as an input device if you intend on using it as a speaker for your voice.
After testing, we suggest you use this primarily as a small portable speaker when watching a movie or presentation in class or using a wireless microphone for talking. However, it did have some lag when connected to a video presentation.
Pros:
- Flexible use cases for classrooms and teachers.
- Convenient size overall.
- Built to last.
Cons:
- Audio lag happens randomly when connected to a smart device.
- The audio output could be louder when the speaker is connected to a microphone.
ION Audio Block Rocker Plus – Full size amplifier.
ION Audio Block
This is a full sized speaker made for giving presentations in an an auditorium. It’s big, somewhat heavy and can be battery powered. Excessive for use in a 30 person classroom.
This is excessive if all you’re doing is teaching in a classroom, but it will prove immensely helpful if your class is large, outside or on a field trip.
The Block Rocker Plus is a road-ready full-sized Bluetooth speaker with handles and a telescoping handle allowing simple transportation. It’s built to travel whenever and wherever you need a small, powerful music output in an easy-to-move lightweight design.
The battery for the Rocker Plus is built in and includes a charge indicator. Expect it to last up to 50 hours of high-quality sound before needing to be charged again. To charge connect the included power cable. There’s also a built-in USB 2.0 connection, which is convenient for charging your mobile device.
Last, the sound is excellent and a good device for music and voice. Its larger size does make this a niche product, but it may be the right purchase for your school and classroom.
Pros:
- Excellent audio quality.
- Long batter life that can be used as a power bank.
Cons:
- It’s fairly big and not ideal if you’re using it in a standard class of 30 students or so.
Bose Soundlink Color II – A great portable speaker.
From the classroom to a field trip, SoundLink Color Bluetooth speaker II delivers full-range, portable sound everywhere you go. The Soundlink combines big sound with a small, water-resistant design for versatility and durability. It’s built to last with an easy touch silicone body.
Bose Soundlink Color II
An external speaker for use in the classroom or a field trip. It offers quick connect to multiple devices but you will need to purchase a microphone or headset to pair with this.
It’s also quick and simple to connect devices. If you have an NFC-enabled device, all you have to do to pair is a simple a touch. So to get started with this device you will need a separate microphone or Bluetooth enabled headset to connect it to the sound link.
You can also use this speaker for any pre-recorded lecture or movie in class to provide additional sound. Overall, a valuable device for both voice and video when teaching in a large classroom.
Pros:
- Durable speaker that has multi use cases for teachers.
Cons:
- You’ll need to purchase additional accessories like a microphone or headset if you want to project your voice.
Croove Voice Amplifier – A minimal option.
This is a discreet, comfortable headset that fits comfortably and maintains the microphone in the correct position for speaking. It also has a selection of LED lights that turn on when the portable voice amplifier is fully charged and ready to use. When fully charged it last for around 8 hours from our usage.
Croove Voice Amplifier
An affordable, minimalistic option. Lasts a 8 hours roughly when fully charged. Comes with a headset and is loud enough for an auditorium.
The Croove Voice Amplifier provides about 4,300 square feet of coverage with good clarity, making it a decent choice for a school auditorium. Like a lot of other options, it does come with an adjustable waist/neck band and a removable belt clip for hands free portability.
The biggest issue with this device however is the build quality. It’s not exactly built to last and from our usage it did have some early quirks of buttons not working and the audio producing a bit of white noise, only to fix itself upon turning off an on.
Pros:
- Good audio quality that covers a wide area.
- Acceptable battery life.
- Small, portable design.
Cons:
- We find this device to be cheaply made.
Maono Mini Speaker – A simple choice for the classroom.
The Maono C01 amplifier is a lightweight, rechargeable wired microphone with a waistband and an LED display. It has the ability to cover approximately 1000 square feet, making it loud enough to fill an entire room.
Maono Mini Speaker
A simple, yet effective speaker system for noisy classroom. It’s good at picking up your voice but is only loud enough for a standard classroom.
The cardioid microphone only picks up your voice and excludes any ambient noise, making it ideal for outdoor gatherings or a noisy room. The device includes a built-in 1500 MAH rechargeable lithium battery that lasts up to 10 hours. Last, it’s lightweight, portable and it has a lovely rose-gold hue.
Pros:
- Noise canceling cardioid mic that picks up your voice and excludes everything else. Great choice for a music teacher or a loud room.
Cons:
- Adequate for a classroom. It’s not particularly loud so if you need it for a large space this is not it.
Additional tips for voice amplification
Poor posture, breathing methods and vocal capacity can influence your voice’s capacity to speak and project in a classroom. If you have an issue amplifying your voice in the classroom here are some helpful tips:
Breathing techniques
To achieve the projection you desire, it is critical to understand how to utilize breathing methods. Understanding how to breathe and vocalize from your diaphragm can really assist you in gaining power in your voice.
When people use their diaphragm to breathe, it’s far easier to control the breath. When you exhale deeply, your diaphragm rises and helps make your voice louder, more confident, and more compelling.
Vocal ability
When you’re going to speak for a long time, it’s critical to warm up your vocal chords. Whether you’re speaking in front of others, teaching a class, or simply informing others it’s smart to warm up your voice and be prepare it for intensive usage. If you don’t warm up your vocal chords, you proverbially “loose” your voice.
Humming, lip trills (the noise you’d make if you were imitating the sound of a toy car or aircraft), and breathing workouts can all help relax your vocal cords and prepare them for hours of teaching.
Then when ready, enhance your voice from within your diaphragm by opening up your mouth and throat while vocalizing loudly. These procedures and exercises will help you sound your best while speaking during the time you are performing.
Best voice amplifier conclusion
So that’s it for our complete guide on the best voice amplifiers for teachers. These easy to use, budget friendly tools are incredibly helpful for maintaining your energy levels through a long day of teaching and prevent you from wearing out your voice.
Depending on your use case, most teachers will find a simple, small voice amplifier to be more than adequate.
