B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs JBL Charge 5

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen for better sound quality, the JBL Charge 5 for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen ranks #10 of 136 medium speakers at $200. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #26 at $134.95, $65.05 cheaper.

What the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen offers: More neutral than the first A1. Set against that: Not stereo. Not as deep bass as the A1.

The case for the JBL Charge 5: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. The catch: Not stereo. Warm sound.

Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Charge 5 if the price matters more than sound quality.

Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen at Amazon ($200) →Buy the JBL Charge 5 at Amazon ($134.95) →

B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs JBL Charge 5

Specifications Side By Side

B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen JBL Charge 5
Price$200$134.95
Ranked#10 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#26 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Aux InputNoNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)58Hz53Hz
Battery Life18 hours (Manufacturer specified)20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built in MicrophoneYesYes (dual microphones)
EQYesYes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67IP67
Bluetooth Latency90ms125ms
Max Volume93dB99dB
Power BankNoYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
StereoNoNo
OmnidirectionalPointing upNo
TWSYesYes
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)No
Weight1.2 lbs / 558 g2.1 lbs / 960 g
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, aptX AdaptiveAAC, SBC
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Drivers3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter
Party Mode-Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Bluetooth Version-5.1
Dimensions-8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)
Frequency Response-60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Output Power-40W
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen at Amazon ($200) →Buy the JBL Charge 5 at Amazon ($134.95) →

More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:

The Two Speakers In Full

B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen: $200 Amazon

B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen ranking card

Pros: More neutral than the first A1

Cons: Not stereo. Not as deep bass as the A1. Pumping sound artifacts above 60% volume, only good for lower listening levels.

Full B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen review and specifications →

AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)58Hz
Battery Life18 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, aptX Adaptive
Bluetooth Latency90ms
Built in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Drivers3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter
EQYes
IP RatingIP67
Max Volume93dB
OmnidirectionalPointing up
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSYes
Weight1.2 lbs / 558 g
Check current price at Amazon ($200) →Search eBay for B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen →

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

JBL Charge 5: $134.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo

JBL Charge 5 ranking card

Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. ~20 hour battery life.

Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.

Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →

AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC
Bluetooth Latency125ms
Bluetooth Version5.1
Built in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter
EQYes (3 band)
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67
Max Volume99dB
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power40W
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSYes
Weight2.1 lbs / 960 g
Check current price at Amazon ($134.95) →Check current price at Bhphotovideo →Search eBay for JBL Charge 5 →

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.