The Bluetooth speakers discussed here are thanks built-in battery It can be used on the go, so you can operate it for several hours without a power connection. Although some models have a jack socket, the main source for music and speech is the wireless connection via Bluetooth (Range: approx. 10 meters). Mobile phones, tablets, laptops and MP3 players with Bluetooth can be used as source devices. Larger BT speakers are sometimes also called “boombox” or “ghetto blaster”.
JBL Go 3
If it’s not about enjoying music to the fullest, but rather about audio books, podcasts or radio news, then a cheap pocket-sized Bluetooth speaker will suffice. The sympathetic looking one plays in the league JBL Go 3 (look at Amazon), which lasts up to 5 hours at a time. In terms of sound, it can easily beat most speakers built into smartphones and is a useful little purchase.
That small housing volume (Dimensions: 8.7 × 7.5 × 4.1 cm, 209 grams) sets natural limits for the sound, especially for the bass – if you want to experience music in all its variety, you have to get a much larger model. You can find a detailed test report on the previous model, the JBL Go of the first generation, on GIGA.
Advantages:
- Very compact dimensions and good sound for the size. Particularly suitable for talk shows (“talk radio” e.g. podcasts, radio plays)
- Low price
Disadvantages:
- Too small for serious music enjoyment
JBL Flip 6
That should be one of the most popular Bluetooth speakers ever: The JBL Flip 6 (view at MediaMarkt) can look back on a number of successful predecessors who have consolidated the good reputation of the American brand. I also liked the Flip 6 right away, starting with the practical carrying strap. This box wants to get out, which also underlines that fully Outdoor Optimized design: Coarse and indestructible fabric, thick rubber edges, firmly integrated and easily tactile buttons, water and dust-proof according to IP67. Admittedly, there are more suitable models for the high-gloss desk or a stylish living room. The JBL prefers to go with backpacks, gravel bikes and skateboards – the supported standard also speaks for this Bluetooth 5.1which promises a range of up to 40 meters outdoors (rather than 20 meters is to be expected in practice).
The sound is full, fun and powerful in the bass – a solid performance for the manageable case size (17.8 × 6.8 × 7.2 cm; 550 grams). The total lively vote can be exhausting indoors over a long period of time, but it is an advantage outdoors, as it allows the Flip 6 to beat out ambient noise.
Advantages:
- Lively sound with powerful bass
- Particularly suitable for outdoor use
Disadvantages:
- Design rather sporty than noble
Bose Soundlink Flex
My favorite for use at home: The Bose Soundlink Flex (look at Saturn) looks chic and grown up. The slim profile and forward-firing sound make it an ideal candidate for a vacant space on the bookshelf. The sound quality convinced me from the very first song: this is the almost legendary one Bose sound that’s never uncomfortable, adapts to every genre of music and sounds bigger than the box it comes from. In a direct comparison (inside) with the JBL Flip 6, I tend towards the Bose Soundlink Flex, since most of the tracks (e.g. “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, heard on Amazon Music Unlimited) seem a bit rounder in my opinion.
In the light gray version I have, the labels on the buttons are difficult to see in the dark. In addition, the controls are not as easy to feel as on the JBL Flip 6. It is inexplicable why Bose still uses Bluetooth 4.2 (from 2014, range up to 9 meters) for the Soundlink Flex. The newer Bluetooth 5.1 theoretically supports a significantly greater range (up to 40 meters). For that is a microphone built-in, you can use the Bose Soundlink Flex as a meeting speaker, which also makes it the ideal gadget for the home office for me.
Advantages:
- Balanced and pleasant sound
- Good product design, recommended for living rooms
- Hands-free function thanks to the built-in microphone
Disadvantages:
- Only supports Bluetooth 4.2
Teufel Boomster Go
Of the Teufel Boomster Go for 99 euros (RRP) it earned the rating of 86 percent in the GIGA test. The robust box fits in large trouser pockets (e.g. cargo trousers) and runs for up to 10 hours on one battery charge.
The sound has a slight treble emphasis and a fairly powerful upper bass for the size. All in all, a loudspeaker trimmed for listening pleasure that feels at home on the picnic blanket, in the workshop or on the bike. The GoPro-compatible thread (¼ inch) on the back is ideal for attachment. However, the design is not perfect, because the Boomster Go, despite its cuboid format, cannot be set up upright so well.
Advantages:
- Lively sound, high maximum volume
- Easy operation with rubberized hardware buttons
- Waterproof and shockproof
- Two Boomster Go can be paired to form a wireless stereo pair
Disadvantages:
- The slight treble emphasis can be tiring on some songs and at high volumes
- No multipoint Bluetooth
- Micro-USB instead of USB-C is no longer up-to-date these days
Devil Rockster Go
Teufel is a relatively small brand from Berlin, which earned a lot of respect among home cinema fans many years ago with THX surround sets. With successful Bluetooth speakers like the Teufel Boomster (2017), the manufacturer has already shown that it can easily compete with the really big names in the field of portable speakers. Of the Rockster Go for 149 euros (RRP) it was able to score an impressive 85% in the GIGA test.
The loudspeaker, weighing 700 grams, is robust and waterproof, its fun-focused sound is powerful and, for its size (21 × 11 × 6 cm), extremely loud when it needs to be. The big brother of the Rockster Go is the Rockster Cross, which costs significantly more at 349 euros.
Advantages:
- Plays loud without distortion – a real powerhouse
- With its flat shape, it fits in every backpack
- Robustly built and waterproof
Disadvantages:
- The striking housing design certainly does not appeal to everyone’s taste
Bluetooth speaker test: This is how the recommendations were selected
I have used all the Bluetooth boxes discussed here myself. You can find detailed test reports for some of the products here on GIGA, which are linked to the respective model. The test samples were usually made available to us by the manufacturers. In addition, speakers are presented that have received special praise from customers and the trade press and are recommended for purchase.
You can find more tips and information about Bluetooth speakers in our guide:
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