Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It ranks #11 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $395 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge 3 ranks #91 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Charge 3’s replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $119.95.
The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen is the better-sounding, lighter pick. At 1.2 lbs (558 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge 3 at 1.8 lbs (800 g). It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks.
The JBL Charge 3 is the louder choice. Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 100dB at full volume, against 93dB for the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It keeps a wired aux input, which the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. Watch for: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Charge 3 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $395.00 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #11 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #91 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 90ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Drivers | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.8”H (133 x 133 x 46 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 60W total (2x 30W Class D) | 20W RMS |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.1 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | - |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen compares with other leading options:
- EarFun Uboom L vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion 300
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion+
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- Denon Envaya DSB-250BT vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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
B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen: $395.00 Amazon $395.00 eBay
Newer model: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5, released May 2025. Battery life goes from 18 to 24 hours.
Older model: the B&O Beosound A1 (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5). See every B&O Beosound A1 generation.
Pros: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen uses 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter. Its 558 g, claimed 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 58Hz specification.
Full B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen review and specifications →
| Released | May 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W total (2x 30W Class D) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Latency | 90ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.8”H (133 x 133 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs 2nd gen - worth the premium? More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beoplay/Beosound A1 - all 3 generations compared
- Oluv Patreon: (Anker) Soundcore Motion 300 - first impressions
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Beoplay A1 outdoors with a bit of Anker Soundcore Motion+ too
- Alan Ross Reviews: B&O Beoplay A1 2nd gen vs Minirig mk3 bluetooth speaker More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Plus vs Beoplay A1 2nd gen - The Match!
- Storytripper HD: JBL Clip 4 vs B&O A1 2nd vs Klipsch Austin More from storytripperhd →
- techkiste.net: B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) vs Bose Revolve 2 vs Bose Revolve+ 2 sound-comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs B&O Beosound A1
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- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Minirig 2
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Minirig 3
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs JBL Flip 7
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Minirig 4
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JBL Charge 3: $80 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older model: the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. IPX7 rated; built-in noise/echo-cancelling speakerphone. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 3 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: jbl Charge 4 unboxing first impressions - vs Charge 3 More from alanrossreviews →
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- EnforcerMan: JBL CHARGE 3 VS TREBLAB HD77 - FULL REVIEW
- YouTube: Sony SRS XB31 vs JBL Charge 3: Sound Battle
- Head-to-Head Comparisons