Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It ranks #19 of 172 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $399. The JBL Charge Essential 3 SE ranks #42, rated 3.7/5, at $199.95, $199.05 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is the better-sounding, lighter choice. 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 Essential 3 SE at 2.1 lbs (960 g). It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE lacks. The tradeoff: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
Why pick the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE: Gets louder than the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen and digs deeper in the bass, with a separate 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators and 40W of amplification in the familiar Charge body. The tradeoff: In side-by-side listening against the JBL Charge 6, its bass is weaker and less stable and distorts on bass-heavy tracks even with the bass turned down in the app, while a narrow boost in the upper mids makes it sound less natural.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $199.05 with the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes).
Amazon $399.00 B&H Photo Video $399.00 eBay
Gets louder than the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen and digs deeper in the bass, with a separate 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators and 40W of amplification in the familiar Charge body.
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Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | JBL Charge Essential 3 SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #19 of 172 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 172 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Auracast) |
| 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, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 52mm x 90mm racetrack woofer, 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C (5V/3A) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Auracast) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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