Short answer: the discontinued B&O Beosound A1 holds the higher sound-quality rank, while the Soundcore Boom 3i is the more straightforward new-speaker purchase. The B&O ranks 10 of 164 medium portable speakers; the Soundcore ranks 31 and sells new for $118.99.
The B&O is a lighter 1.3 lbs (589 g) mono speaker with claimed 24-hour battery life, a microphone, analog and USB-C audio inputs, 50Hz bass extension, and up to 99dB output. The 1.7 lbs (783 g) Boom 3i has IP68 protection, a 50W amplifier, a claimed 16-hour battery, and TWS pairing, but it lacks analog or digital aux input and uses a warmer, boosted-bass tuning.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i for a new IP68 speaker with app EQ, TWS pairing, and a 50W amplifier at $118.99, especially if a warm bass-forward sound suits your listening.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 only when a good used price makes sense and its higher rank, lower weight, longer claimed battery life, microphone, and analog aux input are more useful than the Soundcore’s warranty-backed availability and IP68 rating.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 | Soundcore Boom 3i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 Discontinued | $118.99 |
| Ranked | #10 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (589 g) | 1.7 lbs (783 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Drivers | 15mm tweeter + 83mm mid/bass driver | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 60W total (30W each driver) | 50W |
| Dimensions | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.9”H (133 x 133 x 48 mm) | 8.3” x 3.3” x 3.1” (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How B&O Beosound A1 compares with other leading options:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs B&O Beosound A1
- Soundcore Motion+ vs B&O Beosound A1
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs B&O Beosound A1
- Denon Envaya DSB-250BT vs B&O Beosound A1
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Minirig 3
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: $200 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5.
Pros: Deeper bass than the A1 2nd gen. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Not quite as neutral as the A1 2nd gen. Pumping sound artifacts above 60% volume, only good for lower listening levels. Discontinued.
Full B&O Beosound A1 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W total (30W each driver) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.9”H (133 x 133 x 48 mm) |
| Drivers | 15mm tweeter + 83mm mid/bass driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (589 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 →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex or Beosound A1 (1st gen) - ultimate compact speaker 😇
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Beoplay A1 outdoors with a bit of Anker Soundcore Motion+ too
- techkiste.net: B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) vs Bose Revolve 2 vs Bose Revolve+ 2 sound-comparison
- techkiste.net: B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) vs Bose Revolve 2 vs Bose Revolve+ 2 sound-comparison
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beosound A1 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Minirig 2
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Minirig 3
- B&O Beosound A1 vs JBL Charge 6
- B&O Beosound A1 vs JBL Flip 6
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- B&O Beosound A1 vs JBL Flip 7
- See all 20 comparisons
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. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| 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 Cleer Audio Scene
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Bogasing M4
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Teufel Rockster XS
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Bogasing G4
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs Harman Kardon Luna
- See all 145 comparisons