Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It ranks #19 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $299.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge 4 ranks #62 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Charge 4’s replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $119.95.
The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is the better-sounding, lighter pick. Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). At 1.2 lbs (558 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge 4 at 2.1 lbs (960 g). It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge 4 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge 4 lacks. The tradeoff: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
What the JBL Charge 4 does well: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. It keeps a wired aux input, which the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen lacks. Watch for: 1 Oval driver.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Charge 4 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | JBL Charge 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $94.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #19 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #62 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 30W RMS |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 54Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 330ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 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 $299.99 Lowest B&H Photo Video $399.00 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). See every B&O Beosound A1 generation.
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 →
| Released | May 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 Beosound A1 3rd gen - outdoor sound test More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs 2nd gen - worth the premium?
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beoplay/Beosound A1 - all 3 generations compared
- 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 4: $94.99 Discontinued Amazon $94.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older models: the JBL Charge 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a JBL Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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