Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It ranks #19 of 164 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $299.99; the JBL Pulse 6 ranks #49, rated 3.7/5, and costs $329.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Pulse 6. At 1.2 lbs (558 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Pulse 6 at 3.3 lbs (1.49 kg). It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the JBL Pulse 6 lacks. The tradeoff: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
Why pick the JBL Pulse 6: A 63.8mm woofer on 30W RMS and a 16mm tweeter on 10W RMS, with JBL rating the response down to 42Hz, well below the Pulse 5’s 58Hz. The tradeoff: No independent measurements or tested reviews have been published yet, so its real bass extension, loudness and tonal balance can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Pulse 6 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | JBL Pulse 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99 | $329.95 |
| Ranked | #19 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #49 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | JBL One |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Auracast) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C, lossless) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 3.3 lbs (1.49 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 6.0 |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 10.4”H x 5.2”W x 4.2”D (264 x 132 x 106 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 63.8mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 40W RMS (30W woofer, 10W tweeter) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C (5V/3A) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | No |
| Battery Capacity | - | 34Wh (7.2V, 4722mAh) |
| Charging Time | - | 4.5 hours |
| Frequency Response | - | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Auracast) |
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How B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen compares with other leading options:
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- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Soundcore Motion 300
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Soundcore Motion+
- Minirig 4 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- Minirig 3 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
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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JBL Pulse 6: $329.95 Estimated Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Pulse 5 (ranked higher, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: A 63.8mm woofer on 30W RMS and a 16mm tweeter on 10W RMS, with JBL rating the response down to 42Hz, well below the Pulse 5’s 58Hz. IP68 makes it fully dustproof and submersible, a step up from the Pulse 5’s IP67. The 360° light show now runs over an illuminated carry handle too, with 16 themes, a double-tap bedside lamp and a Sunset Mode sleep timer in the JBL One app. Bluetooth 6.0 with SBC, AAC and LC3, lossless playback over USB-C, and Auracast for stereo pairing or linking PartyBox speakers and PartyLight Sticks.
Cons: No independent measurements or tested reviews have been published yet, so its real bass extension, loudness and tonal balance can’t be compared with ranked speakers. It plays in mono from one woofer and one tweeter, so a single unit gives no stereo separation. Battery life is rated at only 12 hours from its 34Wh pack, charging takes up to 4.5 hours, and the USB-C port can’t charge a phone. There is no strap, only the built-in handle.
Full JBL Pulse 6 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W RMS (30W woofer, 10W tweeter) |
|---|---|
| App | JBL One |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Capacity | 34Wh (7.2V, 4722mAh) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C, lossless) |
| Dimensions | 10.4”H x 5.2”W x 4.2”D (264 x 132 x 106 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.8mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A) |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast) |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.49 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
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