Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen for better sound quality, the JBL Charge 3 for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks #18 of 150 medium speakers, rated 4.1/5, at $379. The JBL Charge 3 ranks #77, rated 3.2/5, at $80, $299 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.
What the JBL Charge 3 does well: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. The catch: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
One note: the JBL Charge 3 is discontinued and no longer widely available new.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the JBL Charge 3 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $379.00 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #18 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #77 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| 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 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 20W RMS |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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How B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen compares with other leading options:
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- Minirig 4 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- B&O Beosound A1 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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: $379.00 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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JBL Charge 3: $80 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
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 Flip 4. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 3 review and specifications →
| 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 5 vs JBL Charge 4 and Charge 3 - best JBL charge 5 review 2021? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 4 and JBL Charge 3 - small one or a large one? 🤷♂️
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- EnforcerMan: JBL CHARGE 3 VS TREBLAB HD77 - FULL REVIEW
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