Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Boom 4, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #112 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 2.9/5, at $114.99; 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. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 177 medium speakers; for better sound, the EarFun Uboom L ranks #2 at $49.79.
The Ultimate Ears Boom 4 is the better-sounding option. A tough waterproof speaker that floats, with USB-C charging, app EQ and pairing with other UE speakers. Watch for: Not much improvement over the old ones.
The B&O Beosound Explore is the longer-running option. 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 15 for the Ultimate Ears Boom 4. Watch for: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Boom 4. 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 tough waterproof speaker that floats, with USB-C charging, app EQ and pairing with other UE 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Boom 4 | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.99 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #112 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #142 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (620 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.2” x 2.9” x 2.9” (184 x 73 x 73 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.57” (40mm) active drivers + 2x 1.81” x 2.57” (46.1 x 65.2mm) passive radiators | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | 85dBC (Manufacturer specified) | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (carabiner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~70Hz |
| Amplifier Power | - | 60W |
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