Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It ranks #19 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $399. The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 ranks #113, rated 2.9/5, at $132.99, $266.01 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, longer-running choice. A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 15 for the Ultimate Ears Boom 3. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
Why pick the Ultimate Ears Boom 3: A rugged waterproof speaker that floats, with a fabric shell, a stable Bluetooth connection and PartyUp linking for many speakers. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. Watch for: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $266.01 saving on the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last.
A rugged waterproof speaker that floats, with a fabric shell, a stable Bluetooth connection and PartyUp linking for many speakers.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | Ultimate Ears Boom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $132.99 |
| Ranked | #19 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #113 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Ultimate Ears BOOM & MEGABOOM app) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (via app) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 1.3 lbs (608 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) | 7.2” x 2.9” (184 x 73 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 2x 2” active drivers + 2x 2” x 4” passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 91Hz |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 87dB (Manufacturer specified) |
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