Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen for better sound quality, the Soundcore 3 for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks #18 of 157 medium speakers, rated 4.1/5, at $380.15. The Soundcore 3 ranks #62, rated 3.4/5, at $59.99, $320.16 cheaper.
The Soundcore 3 is the lighter choice. Identical in acoustic design and performance to the retailer variant Soundcore Select 2. At 0.8 lbs (372 g) it weighs noticeably less than the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen at 1.2 lbs (558 g). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen.
The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is the better-sounding choice. Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). Watch for: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
Buy the Soundcore 3 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 3 | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $380.15 |
| Ranked | #62 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.2” x 2.3” (174 x 57 x 59 mm) | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 16W | 60W |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen:
- Earfun Uboom L vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Soundcore Motion 300
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Soundcore Motion+
- Minirig 4 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- B&O Beosound A1 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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.
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore 3: $59.99 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Soundcore 2 (ranked lower, rated 3/5).
Pros: Soundcore 3 uses 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators. Its 372 g, claimed 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX7 protection, up to 99dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Identical in acoustic design and performance to the retailer variant Soundcore Select 2. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 60Hz specification.
Full Soundcore 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.2” x 2.3” (174 x 57 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen: $380.15 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
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Tribit Maxsound Plus
- 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