Short answer: the Beats Pill 2024 for better sound quality, the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 for the lower price. The Beats Pill 2024 ranks #64 of 140 medium speakers at $129.95. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 ranks #139 at $79.99, $49.96 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 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 140 medium speakers; there are better options higher up.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beats Pill 2024 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.95 | $79.99 |
| Ranked | #64 of 140 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #139 of 140 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 | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | 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 7 vs JBL Flip 5
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Flip 5
- JBL Flip 5 vs JBL Flip Essential
- Beats Pill 2024 vs JBL Flip 5
- JBL Flip 7 vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3
Prices on this page were last checked September 1, 2026 at 2:15 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Beats Pill 2024: $129.95 Amazon eBay
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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: New Beats Pill 2024: sound demo More from Oluv’Sone →
- 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 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Beats Pill (by Apple) 2024 version review vs JBL and Soundcore!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3: $79.99 Amazon eBay
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. True wireless pairing lets you link two units.
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 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg |
- 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❓ More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- 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
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- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 4
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