The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks higher, but the Soundcore Boom 3i offers a much lower-cost route to a rugged medium speaker. The B&O sits at 18 of 142 medium portable speakers for $399, compared with 29 and $118.99 for the Soundcore.
Both are IP-rated mono speakers with app EQ, TWS pairing, and built-in microphones. The B&O is markedly lighter at 558g, has a claimed 24-hour battery life, and accepts USB-C digital audio; the 783g Boom 3i has IP68 protection, a 50W amplifier, and a claimed 16-hour battery.
On the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen side: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). Watch for: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
What the Soundcore Boom 3i gets right: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. The tradeoff: Not quite as good as a Charge 5, doesn’t go quite as loud or sound quite as balanced, but very very close.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen for the higher sound-quality rank, longer claimed battery life, lower carry weight, USB-C audio input, and replaceable battery, provided its $399 price fits the budget.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i for an IP68, 50W speaker at $118.99 when value and a fuller, warm bass-forward presentation matter more than the B&O’s higher rank and longer runtime.
If battery life is a priority, the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is rated for 24 hours versus 16 hours for the Soundcore Boom 3i.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | Soundcore Boom 3i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $118.99 |
| Ranked | #18 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 1.7 lbs / 783 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 8.3" x 3.3" x 3.1" (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Output Power | 60W | 50W |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
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- 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 8, 2026 at 6:02 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
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- 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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- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Tribit Maxsound Plus/Thunderbox Plus
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- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs JBL Flip 6
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- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs JBL Charge 6
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Soundcore Boom 3i: $118.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. Better value for the money than the Charge 5.
Cons: Not quite as good as a Charge 5, doesn’t go quite as loud or sound quite as balanced, but very very close. An earlier firmware version had some bass distortion, update your firmware in the Soundcore App
Full Soundcore Boom 3i review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3" x 3.3" x 3.1" (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs / 783 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs JBL Charge 5
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Teufel Rockster XS
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Tribit Maxsound Plus/Thunderbox Plus
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- See all 77 comparisons