Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #13 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $79.95; the B&O Beosound Explore ranks #142, rated 2.5/5, and costs $294.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The JBL Flip 6 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A small, rugged speaker with very neutral sound for its size, an excellent choice for most people. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 10dB, against 70Hz for the B&O Beosound Explore. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the B&O Beosound Explore lacks. The tradeoff: Some slight upper mids emphasis.
The B&O Beosound Explore is the longer-running choice. 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 JBL Flip 6. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Flip 6. The tradeoff: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound Explore and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A small, rugged speaker with very neutral sound for its size, an excellent choice for most people.
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
| JBL Flip 6 | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.95 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #13 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #142 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (544 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 60W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (carabiner) |
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