Short answer: the JBL Charge 6 is the more practical outdoor speaker, while the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is the lighter premium option. Both claim 24-hour battery life and provide USB-C audio, but the JBL adds IP68 protection, a power bank, Auracast, and substantially higher 102dB output.
The Charge 6 is less rolled off through the mids and treble than its predecessor, though its default balance remains bass-boosted and V-shaped. B&O counters with aptX Adaptive, multipoint, a built-in microphone, and a replaceable battery, but its review notes upper-midrange recession and easier bass distortion than the older A1.
Buy the JBL Charge 6 for loud, rugged, feature-rich portable playback and a seven-band EQ to refine the tuning.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen for lower carry weight, multipoint connectivity, and a serviceable battery.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 6 | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.95 | $381.68 |
| Ranked | #11 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (990 g) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 9” x 3.9” x 3.7” (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 45W | 60W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (built-in strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Charge 6 compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom L vs JBL Charge 6
- JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Motion+
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge 6
- JBL Charge 6 vs Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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
JBL Charge 6: $149.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older models: the JBL Charge 5 (ranked lower, rated 4/5), the JBL Charge 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5), the JBL Charge 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).
Pros: Seems more neutral than the Charge 5. Flatter frequency response through the mids and treble as the Charge 5 was quite rolled off up high. Use this EQ from Joy/Oluv and turn down the lowest bass slider for the best sound quality. Oluv has even more paid EQs specifically for the GG and TL models indoors and outdoors here. IP68 protection, a 7-band app EQ, Auracast, USB-C charging and a power bank output. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Still some boosted bass by default. Mids are recessed. Bright above 2kHz. Quite a V shaped frequency response.
Full JBL Charge 6 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 45W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 9” x 3.9” x 3.7” (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (990 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs SoundCore Boom 2 - David vs Goliath
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - basstest (bigger=better?)
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6, Xtreme 4 & Earfun UBoom X - taking sound to the top
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 6 or the JBL Charge 5? don’t go home till you watch this! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown!
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - better with EQ?
- Oluv Patreon: An evening with the “best portable speakers”?
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Plus vs JBL Charge 6 - fight!
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge 6 🎶👌Unboxing 📦vs Jbl Charge 5 Short Test Audio i Hz. More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Review - Worth Upgrading Even If You Have The JBL Charge 5 More from GYMCADDY →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 6 - good or bad?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen: $381.68 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older models: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5) and the B&O Beosound A1 (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). IP67 rated with a serviceable, replaceable battery: the first Bluetooth speaker with Cradle to Cradle certification. Multipoint connectivity and aptX Adaptive.
Cons: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass. Dipped area in the upper mids. Not as deep of bass as the 2nd gen
Full B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 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 →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - outdoor sound test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs 2nd gen - worth the premium?
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - soundcheck
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - outdoor test
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs JBL Flip 7
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs JBL Flip 6
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Harman Kardon Luna 2
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Harman Kardon Luna
- See all 68 comparisons