Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen on measured sound quality, the Soundcore 2 on price. The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks #19 of 177 medium speakers, rated 4.1/5, at $399. The Soundcore 2 ranks #105, rated 3.0/5, at $29.98, $369.02 cheaper.
The Soundcore 2 is the lighter option. A cheap, light waterproof stereo speaker with a long rated battery, an aux input and pairing with a second unit. At 0.7 lbs (318 g) it weighs much less than the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen at 1.2 lbs (558 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. The tradeoff: Bass is specified only down to 70Hz, so the low end is limited.
The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is the better-sounding choice. A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the Soundcore 2 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Soundcore 2 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
Buy the Soundcore 2 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A cheap, light waterproof stereo speaker with a long rated battery, an aux input and pairing with a second unit.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last.
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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 2 | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.98 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #105 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (318 g) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm fullrange | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| Dimensions | 6.6” x 1.9” x 2.2” (168 x 47 x 56 mm) | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 12W | 60W |
| App | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
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