Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen

Last updated: September 16, 2026

Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen for better sound quality, the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen ranks #10 of 142 medium speakers at $395. The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ranks #35 at $159, $236 cheaper.

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen

What the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen offers: A very portable 586g, IP67-rated speaker with a clear, well-balanced midrange that keeps voices and instruments intelligible. The second generation adds a Bose app with 3-band EQ, better-placed controls and stereo pairing with another Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It supports AAC and aptX Adaptive in addition to SBC, making it a stronger wireless option than most small rivals. Watch for: One Flex remains mono and cannot deliver genuine low-bass rumble; RTINGS also found the elevated treble can turn hi-hats and other high-frequency detail piercing. The claimed battery life is only 12 hours, and some owners report accelerated standby drain after firmware updates. It is expensive for its size, so the added app and codec support, not a transformational sound upgrade over the original, are the main reasons to choose it.

What the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen offers: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen uses 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter. Its 558 g, claimed 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Watch for: Bass is limited by its 58Hz specification.

Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen when sound quality outweighs the price instead.

If battery life is a priority, the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen is rated for 18 hours versus 12 hours for the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen.

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen at Amazon ($395.00) →Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen at Amazon ($159.00) →

Specifications Side By Side

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
Price$159.00$395.00
Ranked#35 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#10 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)18 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneYesYes
EQYes (3 band)Yes
IP RatingIP67IP67
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)-
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
StereoNoNo
OmnidirectionalNoPointing up
TWSYesYes
Weight1.3 lbs (586 g)1.2 lbs (558 g)
Bluetooth Version5.3-
Dimensions7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm)-
Aux InputNoNo
Drivers60mm full-range driver with passive radiators3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX AdaptiveSBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Digital Aux InputNoYes (USB-C)
Bass Extension (-10dB)-58Hz
Bluetooth Latency-90ms
Maximum SPL-93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Power Bank-No
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen at Amazon ($395.00) →Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen at Amazon ($159.00) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen:

Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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

Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ranking card

Pros: A very portable 586g, IP67-rated speaker with a clear, well-balanced midrange that keeps voices and instruments intelligible. The second generation adds a Bose app with 3-band EQ, better-placed controls and stereo pairing with another Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It supports AAC and aptX Adaptive in addition to SBC, making it a stronger wireless option than most small rivals.

Cons: One Flex remains mono and cannot deliver genuine low-bass rumble; RTINGS also found the elevated treble can turn hi-hats and other high-frequency detail piercing. The claimed battery life is only 12 hours, and some owners report accelerated standby drain after firmware updates. It is expensive for its size, so the added app and codec support, not a transformational sound upgrade over the original, are the main reasons to choose it.

Full Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen review and specifications →

AppYes
Aux InputNo
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm)
Drivers60mm full-range driver with passive radiators
EQYes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Bose Party mode)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSYes
Weight1.3 lbs (586 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($159.00) →Search eBay for Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen →

B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen: $395.00 Amazon eBay

B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen ranking card

Pros: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen uses 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter. Its 558 g, claimed 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Bass is limited by its 58Hz specification.

Full B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen review and specifications →

AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)58Hz
Battery Life18 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Bluetooth Latency90ms
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Drivers3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter
EQYes
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalPointing up
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSYes
Weight1.2 lbs (558 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($395.00) →Search eBay for B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen →