Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen if sound quality matters most, the Bose Soundlink Flex if price matters most. The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks #18 of 142 medium speakers at $399. The Bose Soundlink Flex ranks #36 at $155.78, $243.22 cheaper.
The case for the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). The catch: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
On the Bose Soundlink Flex side: IP67 rated; rugged enough to survive drops from several feet and floats. Watch for: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Bose Soundlink Flex if the price is the priority over sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the Bose Soundlink Flex.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | Bose Soundlink Flex | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $155.78 |
| Ranked | #18 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #36 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| 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 / 589 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| 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 | 1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Output Power | 60W | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 33ms |
| Max Volume | - | 96dB |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
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How B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen compares with other leading options:
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Soundcore Motion 300
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Soundcore Motion+
- B&O Beosound A1 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- JBL Charge 6 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
Prices on this page were last checked September 11, 2026 at 8:40 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: $399.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | No |
| 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: $155.78 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated; rugged enough to survive drops from several feet and floats. Around 12 hours of battery at moderate volume.
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail
Full Bose Soundlink Flex review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 589 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Flex More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex Review! vs JBL Flip 6 and JBL Charge 5. Travel heaven?? 🤞 More from alanrossreviews →
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