Bluetooth 5.4 is a 2023 update to the Bluetooth Low Energy standard that improves how earbuds handle broadcast connections and connection security – it does not change the audio codec or make earbuds sound better on its own. That’s the direct answer. The rest of this guide is about why that distinction matters more than most spec sheets let on.
If you’ve spent any time scrolling Amazon listings or supplier catalogs lately, you’ve probably noticed “Bluetooth 5.4” popping up on more spec sheets. Some listings pair it with claims like “2x faster transmission” or “30% lower power consumption.” Other listings barely mention it at all. That inconsistency is the problem I run into constantly when buyers ask me to explain what they’re actually paying for.
I work on the factory side of TWS earbuds production, so I see the chipset datasheets before the marketing copy gets written. Most of what gets advertised about Bluetooth 5.4 in earbuds listings is inflated – the version number tells you about connection management and security, not about how the earbuds will sound.
This guide breaks down what Bluetooth 5.4 actually changes, what it doesn’t touch, and how to decide whether it’s worth requesting on your next production run.
The Full Definition
To put a bit more precision on the one-line answer above: Bluetooth 5.4 was ratified by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) in February 2023 as an extension of the Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) standard. It governs how devices advertise themselves, establish connections, and protect that connection data once paired. Nothing in the spec touches audio compression or codec support – that layer is defined separately, by the chipset and firmware.
Where Bluetooth 5.4 Fits in the Bluetooth Timeline
For context, here’s how the recent versions build on each other in TWS earbuds:
| Version | Released | What it added for earbuds |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | 2016 | Longer range, faster data rates – made practical true wireless design possible |
| 5.1 | 2019 | Direction finding (used for “Find My Earbuds” style features) |
| 5.2 | 2020 | LE Audio and the LC3 codec, laying the groundwork for lower-bitrate, better-quality streaming |
| 5.3 | 2021 | Connection Subrating, for more efficient power handling during active connections |
| 5.4 | 2023 | Periodic Advertising with Responses (PAwR), encrypted advertising data, refined LE security |
There are three concrete additions in the 5.4 spec. This is the part most buyer-facing content skips.
Periodic Advertising with Responses (PAwR)
This is the headline feature. Before 5.4, a device broadcasting periodic advertisements (like a beacon) could only send data one way – it couldn’t get a response back without setting up a full connection. PAwR lets a central device send periodic broadcasts to multiple peripherals, and those peripherals can respond without a full connection handshake.
This is the mechanism behind Auracast-style broadcast audio, where one source can serve multiple listeners at once – think gym equipment broadcasting audio to many headsets, or public venues offering multi-language audio feeds. For most consumer TWS earbuds today, PAwR is present in the chipset but not yet activated as a customer-facing feature, since it depends on the LE Audio ecosystem maturing on the phone side too.
Encrypted Advertising Data
Before 5.4, the advertising packets a Bluetooth device broadcasts while searching for a connection were sent in plain text. That meant device identifiers and some connection metadata were technically visible to anything scanning nearby. Bluetooth 5.4 adds encryption to this advertising data, so that information isn’t exposed during the broadcast phase.
For earbuds specifically, this is a modest but real privacy improvement – it closes a small gap in how much a nearby scanner could infer about your device before a connection is even made.
Refined LE GATT Security
Bluetooth 5.4 also updates the security model around GATT (Generic Attribute Profile), the mechanism devices use to exchange data after they’re connected. The changes tighten how permissions and authentication are handled at the protocol level. It’s a background improvement – not something a user notices, but relevant for anyone building connected accessories with data exchange beyond basic audio.
For the full technical spec, the lists everything ratified in version 5.4 and every version before it.
What Bluetooth 5.4 Does NOT Change
It does not change the audio codec. SBC, AAC, aptX, LDAC, and LC3 support are determined by the chipset and firmware, not by the Bluetooth version number. A Bluetooth 5.3 earbud with LDAC support can sound better than a Bluetooth 5.4 earbud that only supports SBC. If a listing claims “5.4 means better sound,” ask what codec is actually implemented.
It does not guarantee faster or more stable audio streaming. Aggressive throughput or battery-savings figures on some marketplace listings are typically chipset-vendor marketing applied loosely to the Bluetooth version, not numbers defined by the Bluetooth SIG itself. The real-world gains from 5.4 are in connection management and security, not raw audio throughput.
It is fully backward compatible.
This depends on who you’re building for.
For Amazon Sellers and Brand Owners
If you’re testing a new SKU, Bluetooth 5.4 is a reasonable checkbox to have on the spec sheet for future-proofing, since chipset cost difference versus 5.3 is usually marginal at the volumes most Amazon sellers order. But don’t let it replace the specs that actually affect the customer’s experience: codec support, driver quality, ANC/ENC tuning, and battery life. A listing that leads with “Bluetooth 5.4” but is vague on codec support is usually compensating for a weaker spec sheet elsewhere.
For Wholesale Buyers and Distributors
If you’re moving inventory at scale, Bluetooth version is rarely the deciding factor for reorders – price stability, defect rate, and consistent supply matter more. Bluetooth 5.4 is worth noting on your product data sheet for retail-facing markets (especially EU and UK buyers who increasingly ask about it), but it shouldn’t drive your supplier selection on its own.
For Brand Owners Doing Full Custom Development
Bluetooth 5.4 and Chipset Platform Adoption
Bluetooth version support lives at the chipset level, so it’s worth knowing where the major TWS platforms stand:
– Qualcomm QCC series – support is available across current-generation QCC platforms, typically paired with aptX codec options.
– Airoha – widely used in mid-range and value TWS designs; 5.4-capable variants are in production and commonly paired with LC3 and standard SBC/AAC support.
– BES (Bestechnic) – a common choice for cost-sensitive OEM/ODM builds; capable SoCs are available, though many high-volume orders still run on mature 5.3 platforms for cost reasons.
– Jieli – popular for entry-level and budget TWS; adoption here is newer and less standardized across product lines, so it’s worth confirming per-model rather than assuming platform-wide support.
By late 2023, Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Broadcom chipsets had begun supporting the spec, and by 2026 it’s become common in mid-range and higher-end wireless earbuds, though budget tiers still lean on 5.3 for cost reasons.
How to Decide: Spec Bluetooth 5.4 or Stick with 5.3
If you want a deeper side-by-side on the two versions specifically for TWS production, we’ve also broken that down in [Bluetooth 5.3 vs 5.4 Earbuds: What’s the Difference]. For a quick decision, here’s the practical framework I use with buyers:
1. Check your codec requirement first. If you need LDAC or aptX Adaptive for a premium positioning, confirm the specific chipset supports it – Bluetooth version alone won’t tell you.
2. Compare landed cost difference. On most current chipset platforms, 5.4 variants run close to 5.3 pricing at MOQ-relevant volumes. If the delta is under a few cents per unit, there’s little reason not to take it.
3. Think about your product’s shelf life. A SKU you plan to sell for 18+ months benefits more from the future-proofing than a fast-turnover seasonal item.
4. Don’t buy the marketing multiplier. If a supplier quotes “2x speed” or similar claims tied purely to the Bluetooth version, ask for the actual codec and throughput numbers instead of taking the headline figure.
How We Handle This at Tashells Audio
On the factory side, we treat Bluetooth version as one line item in a broader chipset selection conversation, not a standalone selling point. When a customer asks about Bluetooth 5.4, we walk through which platform (QCC, Airoha, BES, or Jieli) fits their price point and codec needs, confirm certification status (FCC, CE, RoHS, BQB), and quote both 5.3 and 5.4 chipset options side by side so the customer can see the real cost delta before deciding. For most new SKU development at Tashells Audio, we can run either version on the same tooling, so it’s a configuration decision rather than a full custom build.
Is Bluetooth 5.4 better than 5.3 for earbuds?
For most listening use cases, the practical difference is small. Bluetooth 5.4 adds connection security and broadcast-response capability (PAwR), but audio quality depends on the codec, not the Bluetooth version. Bluetooth 5.3 with a strong codec can outperform Bluetooth 5.4 with a weaker one.
Does Bluetooth 5.4 improve sound quality in earbuds?
Not directly. Sound quality is governed by the audio codec (SBC, AAC, aptX, LDAC, LC3) and the driver/DAC hardware, not by the Bluetooth version number. Bluetooth 5.4 can carry the same codecs as 5.3 – it doesn’t add a new audio codec on its own.
What earbuds have Bluetooth 5.4?
Adoption has grown steadily since chipsets from major platforms began supporting the spec in late 2023. By 2026, Bluetooth 5.4 shows up across a growing share of mid-range and premium TWS earbuds, though many budget models still ship on Bluetooth 5.3 chipsets.
Is Bluetooth 5.4 backward compatible with older phones?
Yes. Bluetooth 5.4 earbuds will pair with phones running Bluetooth 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, or 5.3, since Bluetooth versions extend rather than replace earlier specs. The connection simply uses whichever features both devices support in common – so a 5.4 earbud paired to a 5.0 phone still works, just without the 5.4-specific features active.
Do I need Bluetooth 5.4 earbuds specifically?
Not necessarily. If codec support, battery life, and build quality already meet your needs on a Bluetooth 5.3 product, there’s no functional gap that 5.4 alone will close. It’s most worth prioritizing for products with a longer planned shelf life or export markets where buyers actively ask about it.
What chipsets support Bluetooth 5.4?