How we test wireless, smart and Bluetooth speakers

Which? tests things properly. We test speakers at our professional audio lab using dedicated experts in the field, and we don't take advertising. Our recommendations are independent, with no bias, big-brand marketing or hype.

We test everything from high-end multi-room speakers to portable Bluetooth speakers that could fit in your pocket, and we put each through the same rigorous assessments.

Our expert lab combines listening-panel expertise with technical testing of the audio equipment for our in-depth sound-quality ratings. We also rate battery life and how easy a speaker is to use, plus we explain any useful extra features.

To find out the very best speakers on the market, head straight to our expert wireless and Bluetooth speaker reviews, or read on to really get to know how our tests work.

Why our speaker tests are different

Rather than sitting one person in a room and asking for their opinion on the sound, we use a panel of audio industry experts with decades of experience tuning, calibrating and listening to speakers. Rest assured, our panellists know the difference between good and bad sound quality.

We also go further by testing the frequency response, mix levels and more, so both the subjective and technical aspects of each speaker are covered.

We never accept speaker samples from brands, either. Each one we test has been bought from the same stores you shop in to make sure we're getting the same experience you are.

What are Which? Best Buys, Don’t Buys, and Great Value models?

A Best Buy speaker has impressed us. It sounds fantastic, is simple to use and, in the case of portable speakers, has a lengthy battery life.

Don't Buy speakers are the opposite. These speakers sound flat and dull, and are a faff to set up, connect to and control. Steer well clear.

To qualify as Great Value, a speaker needs to sound good and cost 20% less than the average price of a speaker in its category, such as home or Bluetooth. Great Value speakers can be Best Buys, too, if they're cheap enough.

• A wireless speaker for the home needs to score at least 70% to be a Best Buy speaker.
• A portable Bluetooth speaker with a battery needs to score at least 69% to be a Best Buy speaker.
• A speaker needs to score at least 60% and be 20% cheaper than the average price to be a Great Value speaker.

How is the Which? score calculated?

Every test we do contributes to an overall score, and we give more weighting to some tests that are more important to the overall quality of the products.

Unsurprisingly, sound quality is far and away the most important aspect of a speaker, so it counts for a greater proportion of the score. 

Here are the breakdowns.

Home speaker 

• 65% sound quality
• 25% ease of use
• 5% energy efficiency
• 5% features

Battery-powered speaker 

• 60% sound quality
• 25% ease of use
• 10% battery life
• 5% features

Smart displays and small smart hubs

• 35% sound quality
• 55% ease of use 
• 5% energy efficiency
• 5% features

Speaker sound quality

Key question: does the speaker sound balanced, clear and engaging, regardless of genre?

We compare the sound quality of all speakers directly against each other using a benchmarking system, so you know which speakers we've reviewed sound better than others.

We use a completely impartial five-member listening panel who are genuine experts in their field and can discern small differences in sound quality. They have assessed hundreds of speakers and can hear the nuances that separate a good speaker from a great one.

The listeners have a range of ages and musical tastes, and they hear a multitude of music genres covering classical and pop as well as speech. This means you can rely on a Best Buy speaker to sound exceptional no matter what you're listening to. 

Our lab technicians back up the ratings from our listening panel with technical frequency response assessments, which provide secondary evidence that supports what the panel report during their listening sessions.

The sound-quality tests make up 60% of the score for battery-powered speakers and 65% for home speakers.

Speaker battery life

Key question: if you're buying a battery-powered speaker, will it last you long enough without being plugged in or connected to a powerbank?

 

Manufacturer claims and our own battery-life measurements don't always align, which reinforces how important it is that we test the battery on any speaker that has one. 

We continuously play music at a moderate volume to best reflect how you'd use it at home or outdoors. The difference can be enormous – some speakers can't hit the five-hour mark, while others exceed 30 hours. And don't assume smaller models will need more charging. 

Yes, they have a smaller battery, but the smaller speaker means they need less power to run. 

The battery-life assessment accounts for 10% of the score.

Speaker ease of use

Key question: how simple is it to set up the device, connect your phone to it and control the music?

Our lab experts have assessed speakers for years and know the pitfalls. We've tested surprisingly temperamental speakers that are a pain to set up. Others have been remarkably poorly designed in terms of how their control apps are laid out or where the buttons are on the speaker itself.

We run each speaker through everyday scenarios, including how easy it is to set up and connect to your devices – be it Bluetooth, wi-fi or via a wire. We also look at everyday and advanced functionality, including how clear the instruction manual is and whether the control app or equaliser are intuitive.

For wi-fi speakers, we also assess how easy it is to create a multi-room speaker system, and we conduct technical checks on the stability of all wireless connections to ensure there are no issues.

Our ease-of-use tests account for 25% of the score on speakers and 55% on smart-hub-style speakers.

Speaker features

Key question: what fancy extras does the speaker have and, more importantly, are they implemented well enough?

Our testing leaves no stone unturned – if the speaker has any additional features, we test these too. This includes equalisers to adjust the sound to your personal preferences (such as treble and bass), plus radio and support for music streaming services such as Apple Music, BBC Sounds and Spotify. 

We also test all speakers using both Apple and Android devices, so we check their compatibility with your preferred smartphone operating system.

Speaker features and how well they're implemented accounts for 5% of the score.

Speaker data security and privacy

Key question: does the speaker try to collect data that isn't relevant, and is the data that's collected handled safely and securely?

Many speakers are connected to your home wi-fi and the internet. Our professional lab conducts extensive privacy and security screening on all wi-fi-connected speakers (and their apps) to check for issues that would raise concern. We will alert you in our reviews if we find any vulnerability and will also alert manufacturers and the government if we find areas where security could be improved. 

This privacy and security testing doesn't affect the overall score we give a product. However, if we find anything serious and the manufacturer doesn't promptly release a fix, we clearly mark the product as a Don’t Buy you should avoid.

Tech tips you can trust – get our free Tech newsletter for advice, news, deals and stuff the manuals don’t tell you