Short answer: the Beats Pill 2024. It ranks #79 of 164 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $99.95. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 ranks #162, rated 2.0/5, at $66.41, $33.54 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Beats Pill 2024 is the better-sounding, lighter choice. Doubles as a power bank (USB-C charge-out). At 1.5 lbs (680 g) it weighs much less than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 at 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg). It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy.
What the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 does well: Tank-like build quality: reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Beats Pill 2024 lacks. The catch: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews.
Buy the Beats Pill 2024. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $33.54 you would save on the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beats Pill 2024 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.95 | $66.41 |
| Ranked | #79 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #162 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| 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 | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | Yes (mounting clip) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 80W |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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: $99.95 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Beats Pill+ (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5).
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. Measured bass extension of ~56Hz (-10dB).
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 | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| 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 |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| 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!
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Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3: $66.41 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 (ranked lower, rated 2/5).
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| 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 |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (mounting clip) |
| 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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