2024-07-30 00:35:57
Stiftung Warentest
Three Wi-Fi speakers share the victory in the test
Updated on 29.07.2024 – 14:35Reading time: 5 min.
The competition for the best sound at home is tough: three Wi-Fi speakers have made it to the top. Stiftung Warentest reveals which models are convincing and why.
The most important things at a glance
Wi-Fi speakers can replace the stereo system in the living room and thus create space. The small speakers are connected to the Internet and play music with powerful sound via streaming services such as Spotify. At least in theory. Stiftung Warentest regularly checks whether the smart speakers actually keep their promises:
So far, it has been shown that models that are highly recommended tend to be expensive, as the testers already found in the “test” issue 05/2023. This is also confirmed by the more recent test results, which have so far only been published online.
Stiftung Warentest has already examined more than 60 Wi-Fi speakers from brands such as Sonos, Teufel, JBL and the Symfonisk models from Ikea. The speakers can play music from several devices at the same time and are therefore multi-room speakers. They play music via streaming from the Internet as well as from the hard drive, notebook, smartphone, tablet or internet radio. The speakers are controlled via an app, voice assistant or directly on the device.
In the test, the speakers have to play classical, pop, electronic and radio plays to prove their sound. In addition to the sound quality, the handling and power consumption or battery are also tested.
Three Wi-Fi speakers share the test victory at Stiftung Warentest: The JBL Authentics 500 and the JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi were already examined in December 2023. Now comes the Devil Motif Home All three speakers are at the top of the test field with an overall score of “good (1.8)”.
Also “good” are Wi-Fi speakers from Bang & Olufsen, Sonos and Canton. The other speakers are “satisfactory”, including three Symfonisk speakers from Ikea and the second generation Apple HomePod. The inexpensive Echo speakers from Amazon are only “adequate”.
You can read all the results of the Stiftung Warentest WLAN speaker test in the “test” issue 05/2023 or online.
The test result: The Authentics 500 from JBL is one of the three test winners and received the “test” quality rating of “good (1.8)”. Among the top-ranked speakers, it is the only Wi-Fi speaker with an integrated voice assistant, but without a battery. The testers gave it “good” partial marks in all test points.
Technical details at a glance:
- Battery life: not applicable
- Frequency response: 40 Hz to 20 kHz
- Streaming: Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast
- Multiroom playback: yes
- Other: Dolby Atmos
- Voice assistants: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
- Connections: USB-C input, analog audio input, LAN, WLAN, Bluetooth
- Weight: 7.8 kg
- Dimensions (width x height x depth): 45 x 24 x 26 cm
Product details: With its retro 70s design, the JBL speaker exudes a nostalgic charm. But more important is the sound: thanks to Dolby Atmos, the 7.8 kg Wi-Fi speaker offers an impressive sound experience. However, only at home, as a power outlet is required for operation. Streaming is also possible wirelessly via Bluetooth. Operation is very simple using the controls or the app. Alternatively, voice assistants are available.
The test result: The Boombox 3 from JBL also received an overall rating of “good (1.8)”, making it one of the best WiFi speakers in the test. Of the three test winners, the speaker has the best battery, which even received a “very good” rating. However, the box is weaker in terms of handling in comparison.
Technical details at a glance:
- Battery life: 24 hours
- Frequency response: 40 Hz to 20 kHz
- Streaming: Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast
- Multiroom playback: yes
- Other: Dolby Atmos, IP67 certification (dust and waterproof), integrated power bank
- Voice assistants: no
- Connections: WLAN, Bluetooth
- Weight: 6.7kg
- Dimensions (width x height x depth): 48 x 26 x 20 cm
Product details: The design of this Wi-Fi speaker from JBL is reminiscent of the manufacturer’s smaller Bluetooth speakers and, thanks to the carrying handle, long battery life and waterproof and dustproof construction, you can take them anywhere just like them. The sound quality is impressive thanks to Dolby Atmos and an integrated subwoofer with powerful bass. According to the manufacturer, it even delivers authentic concert sound, which can be improved even further when coupled with additional speakers.
The test winner with the best handling: WLAN speakers from Teufel
The test result: Teufel’s WiFi speaker is also one of the test winners with an overall rating of “good (1.8)”. It is the easiest to use of all three speakers and also received other “good” ratings. It is the most compact and lightest speaker of the three test winners.
Technical details at a glance:
- Battery life: 15 hours
- Frequency response: 40 Hz to 20 kHz
- Streaming: Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, TuneIn, Tidal
- Multiroom playback: yes
- Other: Dynamore Ultra
- Voice assistants: no
- Connections: AUX, WLAN, Bluetooth
- Weight: 4.45kg
- Dimensions (width x height x depth): 40 x 16.5 x 16 cm
Product details: With four broadband drivers, a front-firing subwoofer and two passive membranes, the Teufel speaker provides room-filling sound. The Berlin-based company’s Dynamore Ultra technology also expands the stereo panorama of the speaker box. Despite its name Motiv Home, it can also be used on the go thanks to the carrying handle, the comparatively low weight and the battery. It is controlled using the illuminated control panel on the device or via the Teufel Home app.
The test result: The Sonos Move 2 loudspeaker came in joint third place in the test with the “test” quality rating of “good (2.2)”. In addition to the sound, the testers at Stiftung Warentest were particularly impressed by the “very good” battery – it is even better than that of the test winner.
Technical details at a glance:
- Battery life: 24 hours
- Multiroom playback: yes
- Frequency response: n/a
- Streaming: Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2
- Other: automatic Trueplay, waterproof according to IP56, drop-proof
- Voice assistants: Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control
- Connections: WLAN, Bluetooth, USB-C
- Weight: 3.1 kg
- Dimensions (width x height x depth): 16 x 24 x 13 cm
Product details: The Sonos speaker is designed to provide perfect sound with automatic Trueplay tuning, among other things. The technology analyzes the environment of the Wi-Fi speaker and adjusts the sound accordingly. Compared to other models, the box is light and compact, making it ideal for use on the go. The handle and the weatherproof and drop-proof construction also contribute to this. The Sonos device is easy to operate, including via voice control.
Three test winners and several “good” models: Stiftung Warentest is pleased to be able to recommend several WLAN speakers. The three best speakers only differ in details: While the JBL Authentics 500 For example, if you have a voice assistant, the Devil Motif Home convince with its particularly easy handling. The JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi shines with the best sound and battery. The speakers are not that different in price. Which one is right for you depends on your needs.
A WiFi speaker works by being connected to a wireless network. The wireless WiFi connection means that music from the home network or the Internet can be played without any problems. It can be easily controlled using an app on your mobile phone.
Large Wi-Fi speakers generally offer good sound quality, and this also applies to the speakers tested by Stiftung Warentest. Thanks to Wi-Fi, the range is also greater than with Bluetooth transmission. With two suitable devices, stereo sound can also be produced, which sometimes makes a stereo system superfluous. The speakers are controlled via apps on the smartphone, and a traditional remote control is not necessary.
Most large Wi-Fi speakers require a permanent power connection, only a few models have a battery and can therefore be operated on the move. However, the weight of the devices does not necessarily make this easy. Small Bluetooth speakers are recommended here. However, these are not suitable for large rooms.
This question depends primarily on the intended use. If you want to take your speaker with you on the go, it probably makes more sense to buy a Bluetooth speaker. If you want very good sound quality in your own four walls, it makes more sense to buy a WiFi speaker.
For the most part, Wi-Fi speakers offer better sound quality than Bluetooth speakers because the audio files are not reduced in size when streaming, for example. The speakers can also play the music independently of the cell phone. They connect directly to the streaming server, so the cell phone does not have to be nearby. And the music does not stop when you receive a call.