Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is the higher-ranked premium choice, while the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen costs much less. The B&O ranks 19 of 164 medium portable speakers at $299.99; the Bose ranks 37 at $159.
Both are compact IP67 mono speakers with an app, microphone, TWS pairing, AAC, and aptX Adaptive. The B&O brings a claimed 24-hour battery, USB-C digital audio, an upward-firing design, and a replaceable battery, while the Bose is slightly heavier, rated for 12 hours, and adds Bose Party Mode.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen if you want the higher-ranked option, a much longer claimed battery life, USB-C audio input, and a serviceable battery in a premium compact speaker.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen if keeping the purchase price down matters most and you prefer its front-firing form factor or Bose Party Mode, accepting the lower rank and shorter claimed battery life.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $159.00 |
| Ranked | #19 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #37 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (3 band) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 1.3 lbs (586 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 3rd gen: $299.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older models: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5) and the B&O Beosound A1 (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). IP67 rated with a serviceable, replaceable battery: the first Bluetooth speaker with Cradle to Cradle certification. Multipoint connectivity and aptX Adaptive.
Cons: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass. Dipped area in the upper mids. Not as deep of bass as the 2nd gen
Full B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| 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 Beoplay/Beosound A1 - all 3 generations compared More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - outdoor sound test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs 2nd gen - worth the premium?
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - soundcheck
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - outdoor test
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Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen: $159.00 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Bose Soundlink Flex (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5).
Smaller model: the Bose Soundlink Micro (rated 3.5/5).
Larger model: the Bose SoundLink Max (rated 4.3/5).
Pros: A very portable 586g, IP67-rated speaker with a clear, well-balanced midrange that keeps voices and instruments intelligible. The second generation adds a Bose app with 3-band EQ, better-placed controls and stereo pairing with another Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It supports AAC and aptX Adaptive in addition to SBC, making it a stronger wireless option than most small rivals.
Cons: One Flex remains mono and cannot deliver genuine low-bass rumble; RTINGS also found the elevated treble can turn hi-hats and other high-frequency detail piercing. The claimed battery life is only 12 hours, and some owners report accelerated standby drain after firmware updates. It is expensive for its size, so the added app and codec support, not a transformational sound upgrade over the original, are the main reasons to choose it.
Full Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (586 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Flex More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen - sound demo
- Tô Thái Trí Hùng: Unbox & Sound Test - Bose Soundlink Flex 2
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen & Soundcore Motion 300 sound test
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech! More from alanrossreviews →
- CEONTHEMAKING: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd Gen VS Marshall Emberton III - What’s NEW?? More from CEONTHEMAKING →
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