Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It ranks #11 of 172 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $395. The B&O Beosound Explore ranks #138, rated 2.5/5, at $294.99, $100.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A 1.2 lbs (558 g) IP67 waterproof puck speaker with 18-hour battery life, aptX Adaptive support and a built-in strap. Its bass reaches about 58Hz before falling 10dB, against 70Hz for the B&O Beosound Explore. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the B&O Beosound Explore lacks.
The B&O Beosound Explore is the longer-running choice. IP67 rated with a rugged ‘seatbelt’ strap and carabiner hook. It is rated for 27 hours of battery against 18 for the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. The catch: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $100.01 saving on the B&O Beosound Explore is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A 558 g IP67 waterproof puck speaker with 18-hour battery life, aptX Adaptive support and a built-in strap.
Amazon $395.00 eBay
IP67 rated with a rugged ‘seatbelt’ strap and carabiner hook.
Amazon $294.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $395.00 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #11 of 172 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #138 of 172 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 90ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Drivers | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| Dimensions | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.8”H (133 x 133 x 46 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 60W total (2x 30W Class D) | 60W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (carabiner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen: