Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It ranks #19 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $399. The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 ranks #171, rated 2.1/5, at $200, $199 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 does well: A tough waterproof speaker that floats, with USB-C charging, a long battery and PartyUp linking. The tradeoff: A lot of distortion at higher volumes.
The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is the better-sounding, lighter pick. A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last. At 1.2 lbs (558 g) it weighs much less than the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg). It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 lacks. The tradeoff: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $199 you would save on the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A tough waterproof speaker that floats, with USB-C charging, a long battery and PartyUp linking.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #171 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | Pointing up |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 3.4” x 8.9” (87 x 87 x 225 mm) | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50x50mm full-range + 2x 55x86mm passive radiators | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| Maximum SPL | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 60W |
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