Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It ranks #11 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $395 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge 3 ranks #90 (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 $149.95.
The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen is the better-sounding, lighter pick. A premium waterproof puck speaker with balanced sound, a built in strap, and a long battery for travel. 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. A waterproof speaker with long battery life, a speakerphone and a big battery that charges your phone. 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.
Measured Differences
- Output: the JBL Charge 3 was measured at 100 dB maximum against 93 dB for the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen, so it gets clearly louder before it runs out of headroom.
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Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $395.00 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #11 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 182 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) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen: reviews by JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show, Oluv and Alan Ross.
- JBL Charge 3: reviews by Alan Ross, DLX Willington and EnforcerMan.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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