Short answer: the JBL Charge 5. It ranks #30 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $114.95; 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 JBL Charge 5 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 10dB, against 70Hz for the B&O Beosound Explore. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the B&O Beosound Explore lacks. The tradeoff: Shouty upper mids.
The B&O Beosound Explore is the longer-running, lighter 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 20 for the JBL Charge 5. At 1.4 lbs (631 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge 5 at 2.1 lbs (960 g). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 5. Watch for: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the JBL Charge 5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound Explore and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone.
A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery.
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #30 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) | 53Hz | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 60W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | No | Yes (carabiner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Charge 5: