Bluetooth Speaker Review 2023: How to Find the Right Bluetooth Speaker (Stiftung Warentest)
In our Bluetooth speaker test, the best devices scored points with rich sound, a powerful battery, and ease of use. However, only a few speakers offer this complete package. We'll show you what's important when buying one. All test results can be found at ►►► https://test.de/bluetoothboxen ◄◄◄
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00:00 - 17 new Bluetooth speakers tested in 2023
00:23 - How we tested the sound, handling, and battery life of Bluetooth speakers
00:50 - The best and worst Bluetooth speakers
01:13 - Which Bluetooth speaker should you buy? 4 Tips
01:34 - Sound comparison: mobile phone speaker vs. small Bluetooth speaker
01:49 - Sound comparison: Bluetooth speakers of different sizes
02:07 - Good sound even with 3 kg speakers
02:26 - Significant differences in battery life of Bluetooth speakers
02:50 - Customizing the sound of Bluetooth speakers
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These speakers were tested (5/2023):
• JBL Boombox 3
• JBL Flip Essential 2
• JBL Go Essential
• JBL Pulse 5
• LG Xboom Go DXG5Q
• LG Xboom Go DSX7Q
• Marshall Acton III
• Marshall Emberton II
• Marshall Stanmore III
• Marshall Willen
• Marshall Woburn III
• Nubert nuGo! One
• Sony SRS-XE200
• Sony SRS-XE300
• Sony SRS-XG300
• Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
• Yamaha WS-B1A
------------------------- A powerful bass, clearly audible details, and a balanced, vibrant sound – that's how the perfect Bluetooth speaker should sound. However, good sound quality isn't everything: Stiftung Warentest expects a test-winning speaker to be easy to use, have a long-lasting battery, and offer practical additional features.
Only a few devices score really well in all areas. But there are many good or very good devices in our test of 100 Bluetooth speakers, from which everyone can choose the one that suits them best. In April 2023, 17 Bluetooth speakers were added to the test. For the first time, we also tested three Bluetooth speakers from Marshall that are powered by a mains cable. Marshall speakers sound impressive, but they cost between €250 and €550. If that's too much, you can find good speakers starting at €70.
Bluetooth Speaker Test: Which Speaker Should You Choose?
The key question before buying a Bluetooth speaker is: Where and what will you be using it for? A robust, waterproof, and portable Bluetooth speaker is practical for use at the lake or in the bathroom. If you're looking for a speaker for cycling and hiking trips, a lightweight and compact model is a good choice. For parties, larger, heavier models weighing over 2 kilograms are often better. They usually offer better sound but are more suitable for a permanent spot in the garden or for transport in a camper van.
To help you find the best Bluetooth speaker for your needs, we've incorporated a variety of filters into our product database: Specify your maximum budget, maximum weight, battery life, desired sound quality, and much more.
... Comparison: Bluetooth Speaker vs. Wi-Fi Speaker
If you're looking for a wireless speaker, in addition to Bluetooth models, Wi-Fi speakers are also an option, though they are not part of this test. Here's an overview of the most important differences:
Wireless Technology. Wi-Fi speakers are better suited for multi-room systems because they connect via a network rather than a direct connection. Wi-Fi also typically has a greater range than Bluetooth – this is practical for garden parties, for example, but also in larger apartments.
Sound Quality. Thanks to its higher data rate, Wi-Fi easily transmits uncompressed files, while Bluetooth usually works with compressed music files. However, due to the ongoing development of Bluetooth technology, such differences are only noticeable to a few people. If music from a wireless speaker doesn't sound particularly good, this is more likely due to the sound characteristics of the individual speaker than the file format. However, Bluetooth is more susceptible to acoustic interference than Wi-Fi. On the other hand, a Wi-Fi network can experience a complete outage, which is virtually impossible with Bluetooth connections.
Portability. Bluetooth speakers are ideal for use on the go, as they are usually battery-powered – only a few have a power cable. The opposite is true for Wi-Fi speakers: they are typically powered via a power cable, making them less suitable for travel.