Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex. It ranks #38 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $79.99; the B&O Beosound Explore ranks #142, rated 2.5/5, and costs $294.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Bose Soundlink Flex is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A small, rugged waterproof speaker that survives drops and floats, with a warm, bass forward sound for casual outdoor use. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 10dB, against 70Hz for the B&O Beosound Explore. Watch for: Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail.
The B&O Beosound Explore is the longer-running option. A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery. It is rated for 27 hours of battery against 12 for the Bose Soundlink Flex. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Bose Soundlink Flex lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Bose Soundlink Flex. The tradeoff: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound Explore and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A small, rugged waterproof speaker that survives drops and floats, with a warm, bass forward sound for casual outdoor use.
A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #38 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #142 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (589 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (carabiner) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 60W |
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