Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore

By Bang & Olufsen · Portable Bluetooth Speakers · Audio & Electronics

  • 2x 1.8-inch full-range drivers
  • 2x 30W Class D amplifiers
  • Up to 27 hours battery life
  • IP67 dust and water resistant
  • Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC codec

Lowest price seen
~$299.00 (approx.)
from $299.00 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A rugged aluminum Bluetooth speaker for hiking, travel and patios, with up to 27 hours of rated battery and IP67 water resistance. Check whether the lean bass and $299 list price fit your listening before you buy.

Strengths

  • Up to 27 hours of rated battery at typical volume, strong for a speaker this size.
  • IP67 dust and water resistance in a hard-anodized aluminum shell with rubber base, strap and carabiner.
  • A single unit plays stereo music without downmixing to mono, with 360-degree dispersion.
  • Bluetooth multipoint keeps two source devices connected at once.
  • B&O publishes a battery-replacement procedure and sells genuine batteries through authorized dealers.
  • Adjustable Beosonic EQ in the companion app.

Weaknesses

  • Bass is lean: RTINGS measured limited sub-bass and compression at highest output, and TechRadar heard the same.
  • 91 dB SPL at 1 meter will not fill a noisy party.
  • No Wi-Fi, AirPlay, voice assistant or speakerphone microphone.
  • Owners report companion-app detection failures that block EQ and setup.
  • Plugging in USB-C can power the speaker on and pull your phone’s audio over.
  • The carabiner is not rated for climbing.

Verified specifications

Driverstwo 1.8-inch full-range drivers, each driven by a claimed 30 W Class D amplifier.
Frequency response56–22,700 Hz at -10 dB, a manufacturer specification.
Maximum outputclaimed 91 dB SPL at 1 meter; bass capability 59 dB SPL at 1 meter.
Bluetooth5.2 with SBC codec and multipoint for two source devices at once.
Batterybuilt-in 2400 mAh, rated up to 27 hours at typical volume.
ChargingUSB-C, up to 5 V / 3 A (15 W); cable included.
DurabilityIP67 — dust-tight, tested to survive 1 m of fresh water for 30 minutes.
Dimensions3.2 × 4.9 in (81 × 124 mm).
Weight631 g without the carabiner, 637 g with it.
In the boxspeaker, fabric carry strap, detachable carabiner, USB-C cable and paperwork.
Warrantytwo years limited from B&O US.
No Wi-Fi, no microphone, no 3.5 mm analog input.
Full research notes and sources

Sound, build and water

RTINGS, testing in June 2021 and updating its review in February 2025, found a sturdy enclosure, very good 360-degree directivity and low Bluetooth video latency, but noted limited sub-bass and compression at highest output. TechRadar’s August 2022 hands-on praised detailed midrange, spacious sound and well-defined vocals, while also hearing lean low-bass. Both reviews predate current firmware and prices, and their loudness impressions differ with program material and volume.

The hard-anodized aluminum shell, rubber base, carry strap and detachable carabiner make it trail-friendly at 631 g. IP67 means dust-tight and tested to survive 30 minutes at 1 m in fresh water — it does not mean saltwater resistance, unlimited underwater use or that the speaker floats. B&O requires the USB-C cable and speaker to be fully dry before charging, and cleaning with a soft dry cloth or mild detergent on a damp cloth, never sprays.

Battery, charging and the app

B&O rates the built-in 2400 mAh battery at up to 27 hours at typical volume, strongly dependent on loudness and EQ. Charging is USB-C at up to 15 W; there is no wireless charging and the speaker cannot charge your phone. RTINGS’ measured battery hours and charge time are behind its membership wall, so treat the 27-hour figure as the maker’s claim.

The companion app carries the Beosonic EQ, firmware updates and stereo pairing. In r/BangandOlufsen threads, a January 2026 iOS user and an August 2026 Pixel 6a owner both reported the app failing to detect the speaker while basic Bluetooth playback still worked; a commenter mentioned an app 7.6.2 fix that remains unverified. A July 2026 owner reported that plugging in USB-C powers the Explore on and reconnects the phone. If the speaker will not switch on unless connected to 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).

Repairs, parts and running costs

The battery is replaceable — unusual for a sealed metal portable — and B&O publishes an illustrated procedure requiring a plastic pry tool, tweezers, a Torx TX8 driver, a flat screwdriver and ESD protection. Genuine batteries come through authorized B&O dealers; no public US price exists, and an unknown third-party lithium cell is a safety risk that can compromise the waterproof seal. A July 2025 owner in Brazil reported B&O would only refer a dead-battery Explore to a service contact in Uruguay.

Running costs are 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. If you lose the carabiner, B&O sells a replacement for $45, and optional USB-C fabric cables are $45. The limited warranty is two years, and B&O’s own store takes returns free within 30 days of receipt.

Is it worth it?

B&O’s US store lists the Explore at $299 with a two-year warranty and 30-day returns; Dillard’s lists it at $299; 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 it is a good price for the design and runtime; $246–$299 pays a substantial aesthetic premium and competes poorly on raw output. JBL’s Flip 7 is $129.95 on promotion ($149.95 reference) and Ultimate Ears’ WONDERBOOM 4 is $79.99 with IP67, floatability and a 14-hour battery. If you want to stay in the brand, the Beosound A1 3rd Generation is $399 with a microphone for calls.

Which model this is

This page covers the standard Beosound Explore introduced in May 2021, sold in Black Anthracite, Green, Bonfire Orange and Grey Mist. It is not the Beosound A1, the Beolit 20, or the separate Ferrari and Supreme limited editions.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Parts and stores:

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