Short answer: the JBL Pulse 5. It ranks #47 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $224.99; 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 Pulse 5 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A waterproof party speaker with a built in light show, app EQ and linking with up to 100 other JBL speakers. Its bass reaches about 58Hz before falling 10dB, against 70Hz for the B&O Beosound Explore. Watch for: Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.
The B&O Beosound Explore is the longer-running, lighter 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 Pulse 5. At 1.4 lbs (631 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Pulse 5 at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Pulse 5. The tradeoff: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the JBL Pulse 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 waterproof party speaker with a built in light show, app EQ and linking with up to 100 other JBL speakers.
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 Pulse 5 | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $224.99 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #47 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) | ~58Hz | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 60W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (carabiner) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Pulse 5 compares with other leading options: