Short answer: the Soundcore 2. It ranks #105 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $29.98; the B&O Beosound Explore ranks #142, rated 2.5/5, and costs $294.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Soundcore 2 is the better-sounding, lighter pick. 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 Explore at 1.4 lbs (631 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the B&O Beosound Explore lacks. Watch for: Bass is specified only down to 70Hz, so the low end is limited.
What the B&O Beosound Explore does well: A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Soundcore 2 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the Soundcore 2. 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 cheap, light waterproof stereo speaker with a long rated battery, an aux input and pairing with a second unit.
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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 2 | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.98 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #105 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #142 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (318 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm fullrange | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| Dimensions | 6.6” x 1.9” x 2.2” (168 x 47 x 56 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 12W | 60W |
| App | No | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (carabiner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~70Hz |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
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