Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-12

Summary

A rugged aluminum Bluetooth speaker whose common faults are companion-app detection failures, a battery that can die early with no public US replacement price, and a power-on behavior when the USB-C cable is plugged in. Running costs are effectively $0 a year, with only optional $45 accessories. It is a good buy at $200 or less new; at the $246–$299 range you pay a large aesthetic premium over louder alternatives.

Common problems and fixes

App detection and setup failures — owners reported in January 2026 (iOS) and August 2026 (Pixel 6a) that the B&O app could not see the speaker while basic Bluetooth playback still worked; a commenter mentioned an app 7.6.2 fix that remains unverified. Workarounds: reinstall the app, retry pairing, and use the physical controls — EQ and firmware updates need the app, music does not. [20][21]
Speaker will not switch on unless connected to the cable — B&O’s official steps are a factory reset (hold Power + Bluetooth until the indicator changes white-to-red), a hardware reset with USB-C connected while holding Power, and checking it is not in display mode (USB-C, then Power + Vol+ for around ten seconds). [8]
Automatic power-on during charging — a July 2026 owner reported that plugging in USB-C powers the Explore on and pulls the phone’s audio over; no official setting to disable the behavior was verified. [22]
Dead or noncharging battery — a July 2025 owner in Brazil found a sealed unit that only played while on USB power, and B&O would only refer them to a service contact in Uruguay; start with the official reset steps above while the two-year warranty applies. [19]
Lean bass and compression at highest output — RTINGS measured limited sub-bass and compression at maximum volume and TechRadar heard the same; this is an intrinsic limit of the small dual-driver design, not a fault. [4][5]
Wet charging and cleaning — IP67 does not mean saltwater resistance or that the speaker floats, and B&O requires the cable and speaker to be fully dry before charging; clean with a soft dry cloth or mild detergent on a damp cloth, never sprays. [9][10]

Parts and consumables

Carabiner — $45 from B&O US (October 2026), in six colors including legacy Chestnut/Navy; a one-time replacement for the included hook, not a climbing-rated part. [12]
USB-C cable — one is included; B&O sells optional USB-C-to-C and USB-A-to-C fabric cables at $45 each (October 2026). A compliant third-party USB-C cable and 5 V supply also work. [13][14]

Yearly running cost

Effectively $0 a year: no consumables, subscriptions or paid software. Charging energy is negligible — a hypothetical 15 W for two hours a week is 0.03 kWh per session, 1.56 kWh a year, $0.39 at an assumed $0.25/kWh. The only likely extras are the $45 carabiner or $45 cable if you lose one, and a battery replacement with no public US price; contact B&O with the serial for a quote. [1][6][7][12][13]

When it is a good buy

B&O’s US store lists the Explore at $299 and Dillard’s at $299 (October 2026); Newegg’s marketplace has the Anthracite at $268.99 from third-party seller B-IN Electronics with a 30-day seller return policy. TechRadar’s 2022 launch-era price was $199. At $200 or less new, authentic and warrantied, it is a good price for the design and runtime; $246–$299 pays a substantial aesthetic premium and competes poorly on raw output. Alternatives: the JBL Flip 7 at $129.95 on promotion ($149.95 reference, JBL, October 2026) is the better choice for price-conscious buyers and stronger mainstream loudness; the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 at $79.99 (October 2026) is better for pool use, weight, value and floatability, with a shorter 14-hour battery; the Beosound A1 3rd Generation at $399 (B&O US, October 2026) is the better choice only if you stay in the brand and want a microphone for calls. [1][2][3][5][16][17][18]