Short answer: the Beats Pill 2024 for better sound quality, the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 for the lower price. The Beats Pill 2024 ranks #61 of 135 medium speakers at $99.95. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 ranks #134 at $60, $39.95 cheaper.
What the Beats Pill 2024 offers: Doubles as a power bank (USB-C charge-out). 24 hour battery life; a 10 min quick-charge gives 2 hours. Watch for: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy.
What the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 offers: Tank-like build quality - reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. Watch for: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews.
Buy the Beats Pill 2024 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3. It ranks near the bottom of the 135 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beats Pill 2024 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.95 | $60 |
| Ranked | #61 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~56Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 8.6" x 2.8" x 2.8" (219 x 71 x 70 mm) | 8" x 3.8" x 4.2" (203.2 x 96.5 x 106.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers with dual passive radiators | 4.5" (114mm) woofer |
| Output Power | - | 80W |
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- JBL Flip 5 vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Flip 5 vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Flip 5 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- JBL Flip 5 vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3
- Beats Pill 2024 vs JBL Charge Essential
The Two Speakers In Full
Beats Pill 2024: $99.95 Amazon
Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-C charge-out). 24 hour battery life; a 10 min quick-charge gives 2 hours. IP67 rated. Stereo pairs with a second Pill.
Cons: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy. Slightly recessed mids. Rolled off treble.
Full Beats Pill 2024 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~56Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 8.6" x 2.8" x 2.8" (219 x 71 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: New Beats Pill 2024: sound demo
- Oluv Patreon: Beats Pill 2024 - first & last impression
- DailyTekk: NEW Beats Pill First Impressions & Sound Test - Worth $149?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beats Pill vs Harman Luna vs Bose Flex vs Soundcore Motion Plus
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Beats Pill (by Apple) 2024 version review vs JBL and Soundcore!
- Reddit Search for Beats Pill 2024 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3: $60 Amazon
Pros: Tank-like build quality - reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. IP67 rated; doubles as a power bank. Universal mounting clip for a bike, kayak, or backpack.
Cons: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews. Gets distorted with a lot of bass. The entire Altec Lansing Bluetooth speaker line likely also sounds similarly bad.
Full Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8" x 3.8" x 4.2" (203.2 x 96.5 x 106.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5" (114mm) woofer |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 🦨 (2022 Version) How Many Versions Have They Made❓ How Bad Is It❓
- Ivan T: Altec lancing lifejacket 3
- Altec lansing bass test: bass test altec lansing lifejacket 3 (mambo lambo crazy bass)
- Fewishaツ: Altec Lansing Life Jacket 3 Bass Test
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- Reddit Search for Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 3
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Flip 5
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 4