London – The JBL Flip 7 and Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition have been awarded Bluetooth Speaker of the Year and Wireless Speaker of the Year respectively, in the first audio category results announced by Stuff magazine’s annual Gadget Awards. The awards, which recognize the best technology of 2025, were initially revealed in print before being published online, according to Stuff South Africa.
The JBL Flip 7 was praised for its combination of affordability, durability and portability. Stuff noted the speaker’s improved sound quality, achieved through redesigned dome tweeters and algorithms that maximize volume without distortion. The inclusion of Auracast connectivity, allowing audio sharing across multiple devices, and Bluetooth 5.4 were also highlighted. The speaker retails for R1,900.
Bowers & Wilkins’ Zeppelin Pro Edition secured the Wireless Speaker of the Year title. Stuff described the speaker as delivering “the best audio you can pour on your inexplicably thirsty ears,” citing its five-speaker array – including a 6-inch subwoofer and dual mid-range and tweeter drivers – and extensive streaming support. The Zeppelin Pro Edition is priced at R18,500.
Both awards saw additional recognition for other products. The B&O Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) and Ultimate Ears Miniroll were highly commended in the Bluetooth Speaker category, while Kanto Ren received a highly commended designation for Wireless Speaker of the Year. Marshall Emberton III and Marley Roots Solar were shortlisted for Bluetooth Speaker of the Year, and Sony ULT Tower 10 was shortlisted for Wireless Speaker of the Year.
Stuff magazine indicated that further award categories will be announced throughout the coming week, culminating in the selection of the overall Gadget of the Year. The magazine’s editorial team makes the final decisions, independent of commercial considerations, according to a statement published by Stuff.