The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore is worth buying if you want a small, very tough outdoor speaker with a 27-hour battery rating and a design nobody else makes. Skip it if you want loud volume, deep bass, a speakerphone for calls or any Bluetooth codec beyond basic SBC; cheaper speakers do those things better.
It is still current. B&O sells the Explore on its US store in October 2026, more than five years after its May 2021 launch at $199 (per T3 and TechRadar). Several speakers it was first compared with have since been replaced: the UE Wonderboom 2 by the Wonderboom 4, and the JBL Charge 5 by the JBL Charge 6. The alternatives below use current models.
ArmorSound has not tested the Explore. This review combines B&O's technical specifications with reviews and measurements from RTINGS, T3 and TechRadar, and says who found what.
Tough, beautiful and long-lasting, but quiet and bass-light
The Explore suits buyers who want a rugged metal speaker with a 27-hour battery rating and are happy at moderate volume. For the money you give up deep bass, loudness, a speakerphone and any codec beyond SBC.
- Camping, hiking and weekends off-grid
- Buyers who prize design and build
- Small spaces at moderate volume
- You want deep bass or party volume
- You take calls on your speaker
- You want aptX, AAC or an aux input
Where to buy
Our verdictBang & Olufsen Beosound Explore
Best for: Campers and hikers who value build
- Battery
- Up to 27 h
- Water and dust
- IP67
- Drivers
- 2 x 1.8-inch, 2 x 30 W
- Codec
- SBC only
- Weight
- 637 g
- 27-hour battery rating that T3 found believable
- Anodized aluminum shell built to take knocks
- Wide 360-degree spread, per RTINGS and TechRadar
- Multipoint plus iPhone, Android and Windows fast pairing
- Doesn't get very loud, per RTINGS
- Lean low bass
- No speakerphone, no aux input, SBC only
Watch for: Stereo pairing works only with a second Explore, so it will not team up with an A1, a Beolit or other B&O speakers.
Check price on Amazon →What are the Beosound Explore's key specs?
| Spec | Beosound Explore |
|---|---|
| Drivers | Two 1.8-inch full-range drivers |
| Amplification | 2 x 30 W class D (60 W total) |
| Frequency range | 56 to 22,700 Hz |
| Maximum SPL | 91 dB at 1 m |
| Battery | Up to 27 hours; about 2 hours to charge |
| Water and dust | IP67 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, SBC codec only; multipoint for 2 devices |
| Wired connection | One USB-C port, for charging only |
| Stereo pairing | With a second Beosound Explore only |
| Size and weight | 8.1 x 12.4 x 8.1 cm; 637 g |
All figures come from B&O's technical specifications, which also list Made for iPhone certification, Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, and a recommended room size of 5 to 30 square meters.
Does the Beosound Explore sound refined or boomy?
The reviews disagree more than usual here, so it helps to see who said what.
T3 was the most positive. Its reviewer found the Explore refined and well balanced for its size, with firm but not showy bass, a warm mid-range and clear treble. TechRadar praised the detail and a soundstage that felt omnidirectional as its reviewer walked around the speaker, but found the bass lean and unable to dig low on bass-heavy tracks.
RTINGS measured something different. With the default Optimal preset, it found a boomy sound profile that can muddy vocals and lead instruments, a lack of deep low bass and an underemphasized treble that makes higher-pitched sounds a bit dark. RTINGS did rate its directivity as great, which backs up the wide, room-filling spread the other reviewers heard.
Everyone agrees on one thing: this is not a bass speaker. B&O's own spec sheet lists a bass capability of 59 dB SPL, against 64 dB SPL for the Beosound A1 3rd Gen.
You can adjust the sound in the Bang & Olufsen app, which has presets and a Beosonic control that shifts the tuning as you drag a point around a circle. RTINGS mentions a Speech preset among them.
How loud is the Beosound Explore for outdoor use?
B&O rates maximum output at 91 dB at 1 meter. RTINGS found the Explore doesn't get very loud, with some compression at maximum volume. T3's reviewer said it held its composure when pushed but called it not quite a field party starter on its own.
That makes it best for a campsite, a picnic blanket or a small patio. RTINGS rated it good for outdoor use and credits its 360-degree design for a wide soundstage. If you need volume, pair two Explores in stereo or choose a larger speaker.
How long does the battery last, and how fast does it charge?
B&O rates the battery at up to 27 hours, which is the Explore's biggest advantage over similar-sized speakers. TechRadar compared it with the 12-hour rating of the similarly sized JBL Flip 6.
T3's reviewer found the claim believable: the battery dropped by about 3 to 4 percent per hour at around 40 percent volume indoors. Expect less if you play it loud outdoors.
A full charge takes about 2 hours over USB-C, per B&O. The Explore can't charge your phone; TechRadar notes it lacks the power-bank feature of speakers like the JBL Charge 5.
How well built, tough and portable is the Beosound Explore?
The shell is Type II anodized aluminum, with a rubberized polymer base and top. T3 explains why it's so tough: the outside is essentially thick metal rings attached to four pillars, which protects the drivers while letting sound out. T3 also warns that aluminum is soft, so a fall onto rock may dent the finish, though the damage should be cosmetic.
The IP67 rating covers dust and submersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water for 30 minutes. Unlike the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom range, it doesn't float, as T3 points out. Our IP ratings explainer shows what IP67 does and doesn't promise, and our portable speaker maintenance tips cover rinsing sand and salt off safely.
It's about the size of a tall coffee cup but heavier than it looks at 637 g. It comes with a fabric strap and a metal carabiner for clipping to a pack. TechRadar found the strap too small to slip over a wrist.
Which connections and app features does it have, and what is missing?
The Explore connects over Bluetooth 5.2 and supports only the SBC codec, according to B&O. TechRadar called that disappointing at this price, since there is no aptX, and B&O lists no AAC either. In practice volume is the bigger limit, but the codec matters if you stream lossless files.
Some things it does well:
- Multipoint for two devices, so two people can take turns playing music.
- Low Bluetooth latency with both iOS and Android, according to RTINGS, so video stays in sync.
- Fast pairing for iPhone, Android and Windows.
And some it skips entirely:
- No speakerphone or voice assistant. TechRadar notes the missing speakerphone, RTINGS the lack of voice assistant support, and B&O's spec sheet lists neither.
- No aux input. The USB-C port is for charging only, per B&O, so you can't stream audio over a cable.
- No multi-room, per TechRadar. Stereo pairing works only with a second Explore, not with other B&O speakers.
What do owners say about the Beosound Explore?
Spec sheets and lab reviews only go so far. Here is what owners say after living with it, drawn from Reddit discussions collected by RedditRecs.
- Durability first. An owner says they are very happy with their Explore, calling it exceptionally durable with decent sound. (r/BuyItForLife)
- No regrets. Another commenter in the same thread recommends the Beosound and says you will not regret it. (r/BuyItForLife)
Owner comments are few, but they match the reviews: buy the Explore for build quality, not for the biggest sound per dollar.
Who should buy the Beosound Explore, and who should skip it?
Buy the Beosound Explore if:
- You want a small speaker that can survive drops, dust and dunks.
- You go away for weekends without power and want a 27-hour battery rating.
- You care about design and materials as much as specs.
- You mostly listen at moderate volume in small spaces.
Skip it if:
- You want deep bass or party-level volume.
- You want to take calls or use a voice assistant.
- You want aptX, AAC or a wired audio input.
- You want to build a multi-speaker setup with other brands or other B&O models.
Which speakers are alternatives to the Beosound Explore?
| Model | Rated battery | Water rating | Notable extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| B&O Beosound Explore | Up to 27 h | IP67 | Anodized aluminum shell, multipoint |
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen | Up to 24 h | IP67 | aptX Adaptive and AAC, speakerphone, USB-C audio |
| Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 | 14 h | IP67, floats | Drop-tested from 1.5 m, Outdoor Boost |
| Marshall Emberton III | 32+ h | IP67 | Built-in mic, 360-degree stereo from one box |
Figures come from each manufacturer's product page.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen. If you like B&O design but want more features, the A1 is the obvious step. B&O's A1 3rd Gen specs list aptX Adaptive and AAC, a speakerphone, USB-C audio streaming and a tweeter-plus-woofer layout with a higher bass capability rating than the Explore. B&O lists it at a higher price. Both T3 and TechRadar preferred the earlier A1 2nd Gen's sound to the Explore's.
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4. The budget answer. UE's Wonderboom 4 page lists 14 hours of playtime, IP67, a 1.5 m drop test and a body that floats, plus an Outdoor Boost button. Read our Wonderboom 4 review.
Marshall Emberton III. The closest rival on battery. Marshall's Emberton III specs list 32+ hours of playtime, IP67, a built-in microphone and stereo sound from a single speaker, in a heavier 0.67 kg body. See our Marshall Emberton III review.
If you want something for home rather than the trail, our Beolit 20 review covers B&O's larger portable, and our waterproof portable speakers guide rounds up more rugged options.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore waterproof?
Yes. It is rated IP67, which means it is dust-tight and can survive submersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water for 30 minutes. It does not float, as T3 points out, so don't let it drop into a lake or pool you can't reach into. After salt water or sand, rinse it with fresh water and let it dry before charging.
How long does the Beosound Explore battery last?
B&O rates it at up to 27 hours of playback. T3's reviewer saw the battery fall by about 3 to 4 percent per hour at roughly 40 percent volume, which fits that rating, though louder outdoor listening will shorten it. Charging takes about 2 hours over USB-C. The Explore cannot charge a phone, so pack a separate power bank.
Does the Beosound Explore support AAC or aptX?
No. B&O lists SBC as the only Bluetooth codec, and TechRadar flagged the lack of aptX as a disappointment for a premium speaker. SBC is the baseline codec every Bluetooth device supports. RTINGS did measure low latency with both iOS and Android devices, so video and audio stay in sync, but you won't get higher-bitrate streaming.
Can you pair two Beosound Explore speakers?
Yes, for stereo. B&O's specs say stereo pairing works between two Beosound Explores only, so it won't pair with an A1, Beolit or other B&O speaker. There's no Wi-Fi or multi-room support either. Separately, multipoint lets two phones stay connected to one Explore at the same time, which is handy when friends take turns choosing music.
Can you take calls on the Beosound Explore?
No. The Explore has no speakerphone function, and it doesn't support Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. TechRadar notes the missing speakerphone feature, RTINGS notes the lack of voice assistant support, and B&O's spec sheet lists neither. If you want hands-free calls from a B&O speaker, the Beosound A1 3rd Gen lists a speakerphone in its specifications.
Is the Beosound Explore discontinued?
No. B&O still sells it on its US store in October 2026, in Black Anthracite, Green, Bonfire Orange and Grey Mist. It launched in May 2021 at $199, according to T3 and TechRadar. B&O hasn't announced a successor, though the newer Beosound A1 3rd Gen now sits alongside it as the brand's other small portable.
Sources
- Bang & Olufsen: Beosound Explore product page and technical specifications
- RTINGS: Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore review
- T3: Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore review
- TechRadar: B&O Beosound Explore review by Becky Roberts
- Bang & Olufsen: Beosound A1 3rd Gen product page and specifications
- Ultimate Ears: Wonderboom 4 product page
- Marshall: Emberton III product page and specifications
What do the Beosound Explore's specs mean for everyday use?
The figures below come from B&O's specs and from published reviews. Each one shows what to expect at a campsite or on a patio.
- B&O rates the battery at up to 27 hours, so a weekend away from power is realistic. (bang-olufsen.com)
- T3's reviewer saw a drop of about 3 to 4 percent per hour at around 40 percent volume. (t3.com)
- TechRadar compared the battery with the 12-hour rating of the similarly sized JBL Flip 6. (techradar.com)
- Maximum output is 91 dB at 1 m, so it suits a small patio more than a party. (bang-olufsen.com)
- B&O lists bass capability at 59 dB SPL, against 64 dB SPL for the Beosound A1 3rd Gen. (bang-olufsen.com)
