Caution, risk of cancer! Stiftung Warentest warns against Bluetooth headphones

Cancer risk: Bluetooth headphones have caused a stir at Stiftung Warentest.

• Stiftung Warentest * examines Bluetooth headphones
• Experts from Stiftung Warentest find serious things in the headphones
• Cancer risk! Even expensive products fall in the test by

Kassel - They are particularly popular with young people: wireless headphones with a Bluetooth connection. They connect wirelessly to any suitable source, be it a smartphone, tablet, television, notebook or hi-fi system - all you need is a Bluetooth connection.

Stiftung Warentest took a close look at some Bluetooth headphones and discovered dangerous pollutants in the ear cushions of the headphones which, according to experts, can even be carcinogenic .

Bluetooth headphones test 2020: Stiftung-Warentest-Winner and recommendations https://t.co/JVrqK3Nm9O via @GIGAANDROID pic.twitter.com/AzAgYFGbqR

Test of Bluetooth headphones: the product in the Aldi range only convinces at first glance

For about 60 euros, there is currently a Bluetooth headset from JBL in assortment of Aldi *. At first glance, the offer seems good, and the price doesn't seem bad either. Nevertheless, Stiftung Warentest advises against buying it: In a test , experts found a pollutant in the ear pads of the Bluetooth headphones that can be very harmful to health and cause cancer .

In the large headphone comparison by Stiftung Warentest, the JBL model made a good impression in the classic disciplines: the headphones convinced the experts from Stiftung Warentest in the hearing test and in terms of battery life. The Bluetooth headphones also scored well in terms of comfort. However, in the further test , very large amounts of a pollutant that can cause cancer were found in the ear pads of the Bluetooth headphones.

Cancer risk! Bluetooth headphones: Large amounts of pollutants detected in headphones

A test showed a large amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in some products, including JBL's Bluetooth headphones . According to information from Stiftung Warentest, animal experiments have shown that this pollutant has a mutagenic effect.

Increased risk of cancer: some Bluetooth headphones received negative results in the Stiftung Warentest test - they received harmful substances.

© picture alliance / Franziska Gabbert / dpa-tmn

According to Stiftung Warentest, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can occur almost anywhere, for example in food, cosmetics or toys. Since some PAHs are harmful to health and can even cause cancer , the daily amount consumed should be as low as possible, say the testers from Stiftung Warentest. If a PAH-containing substance comes into contact with human skin for a long time, the pollutants are usually absorbed by the body, according to Stiftung Warentest.

Headphones at Stiftung Warentest: 152 Bluetooth headphones in test database

The headphone test by Stiftung Warentest  provides test results for a total of 152 Bluetooth headphones. The best tested devices are much more expensive than the JBL headphones from Aldi. There are also models without harmful substances in stores for around 100 euros.

But even expensive products did not do well in the Stiftung Warentest headphone test. Pollutants have also been detected in Philips Bluetooth headphones. The losers in the headphone test at a glance:

Better sound with smart headphones?

Test for Bluetooth headphones: criteria from Stiftung Warentest

The Stiftung Warentest assesses Bluetooth headphones according to various criteria. The sound of the headphones has the most weight in the test with 55 percent, the experts pay particular attention to the quality of the sound, the dynamics, the volume and the freedom from distortion when playing via Bluetooth.

Under the points of comfort and handling, which make up 25 percent of the rating, the testers examine, among other things, the instructions for use of the various headphones in the test . Other test categories are Bluetooth (10 percent), interference (5 percent) and durability (5 percent).

Test for Bluetooth headphones: These are the current test winners from Stiftung Warentest

In the last current test by Stiftung Warentest , the experts took a close look at seven headphone headphones with Bluetooth functionality. Some are associated with an increased risk of cancer. The result shows - if you want the test winner, you have to spend money:

• Sennheiser Momentum Wireless (3rd generation), median online price 385 euros, test result good
• Bose Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700, median online price 335.00 euros, test result good
• Bowers & Wilkins PX5, median online price EUR 285.00, test result good

Stiftung Warentest: Not just headphones with Bluetooth - other products being tested

Stiftung Warentest also took a close look at digital cameras. Inexpensive products also achieve good grades. But the test shows: if you want the best, you can't avoid a certain price.

Just recently, Stiftung Warentest examined chocolate from different manufacturers and price ranges, such as Milka, Ritter Sport & Co .. The result is surprising: good chocolate does not have to be expensive. Some foods increase your risk of developing cancer. According to Stiftung Warentest, you should keep your hands off these products in order to reduce the risk of cancer. A viewer discovered cancer * in a TV presenter on television. A carcinogenic ingredient was found in a kitchen utensil. The manufacturer has started a recall because of the cancer risk *.

Food is said to play a crucial role in the development of cancer - but is that even true?

Cancer from cell phone use *? A Spanish study comes to a surprising result: Blue light from cell phones is said to have an influence on the risk of colon cancer.

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