Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #110 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 2.9/5, at $80; 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. 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 Wonderboom 2 is the better-sounding, lighter option. A small waterproof speaker that floats and is light enough to toss in a bag for the pool or beach. At 0.9 lbs (420 g) it weighs noticeably less than the B&O Beosound Explore at 1.4 lbs (631 g). Watch for: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble.
The B&O Beosound Explore is the deeper-bass, longer-running pick. A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery. Its bass reaches about 70Hz before falling 10dB, against 82Hz for the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2. It is rated for 27 hours of battery against 12 for the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 lacks. Watch for: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound Explore and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A small waterproof speaker that floats and is light enough to toss in a bag for the pool or beach.
A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #110 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #142 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 82Hz | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (420 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 4.1” x 3.8” (104 x 95.3 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm active drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| App | No | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (carabiner) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 60W |
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