Bose v Bang & Olufsun: Which is best for you?

Not all Bluetooth speakers are created equal. Some are better for volume than others while others are made for the outdoors, and then some, such as those from Bang & Olufsen (B&O) and Bose, which are designed and constructed to the highest standards, and tend to outperform their competitors in general, as well as in niche areas. Whether you need something that’s rugged and waterproof to take to the beach or a thoughtfully designed speaker to place on your bookshelf, B&O and Bose have you covered. Regardless of what type of bluetooth speaker you are looking for, if you’re willing to spend the money, you can’t go wrong with these two brands. However, because the price tag on speakers from these brands can be quite high, finding the right speaker can be a high stakes exercise. The first thing you need to know when choosing between bluetooth speakers from B&O and Bose is what makes each brand unique. 

Bang and Olufsen was founded in 1925 in Denmark on the foundations of Danish design and the idea that functionality doesn’t have to come at the expense of beauty. All Bang and Olufsen materials are sourced in Europe and each speaker is made in Denmark, and you can find everything from natural high-grade aluminum to genuine Italian leather in B&O speakers. In fact, B&O pioneered the use of aluminum in the audio industry and has a state of the art anodization process that leaves their products with an unparalleled fit and finish. Also, in terms of the actual speaker technology, B&O has been a consistent innovator. Their first product, released in 1927, was a revolutionary radio, called the Eliminator, that relied on AC current as opposed to the massive, unreliable batteries of the day. 

In addition to their stunning sound quality and dedication to innovation, the design aesthetic of B&O speakers sets them apart from the competition. The engineers at B&O are masters of turning premium materials into unique, pleasing designs, and many B&O speakers function as stand alone art pieces. 

Quick Take: This waterproof speaker punches well above its weight class, and pumps out crisp audio despite it’s small size. 

What you’ll love: The Beosound A1 packs everything B&O is known for into a puck-sized speaker that can fit in your pocket. With 24 hours of playtime on a single charge and a completely water and dustproof exterior, this speaker is adventure ready. However, it also performs inside thanks to it’s Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity and three internal microphones, which makes it ideal for spontaneous conference calls. To top it all off, the Beosound A1 2nd gen comes with Alexa integration. 

What you should consider: Although this speaker is quite loud for its size, it doesn’t have the loudness needed to fill a medium sized indoor space. 

Quick Take: If you don’t want to make any sacrifices when it comes to your next speaker, the Beolit is ideal for you. 

What you’ll love: With the sound quality and volume of an at-home stereo speaker and the convenience of a portable speaker, the Beolit makes no compromises. Not only does the Beolit provide 24 hours of playtime on a single charge, it also has a built-in wireless charging pad on the top that can top up your phone, headphones or even your smart watch. The Beolit has 360 degree sound direction and is powered by dual 35 watt amplifiers, which help the speaker produce robust, full audio. 

What you should consider: While this speaker is certainly portable, it’s not exactly compact. Also, it’s significantly more expensive than most portable speakers. 

Quick Take: The Beosound Level combines the best of at-home WiFi connectivity with the beloved portability of Bluetooth 5.0 technology. 

What you’ll love: Although this is a true at-home speaker, and a member of B&O’s Connected Speakers line, it’s also wireless. Not only does this speaker seamlessly connect to any other WiFi enabled B&O speakers in your home, it can also be taken from room to room or even country to country. Whether you want to fill a large room by hanging the Beosound Level on the wall or you want to bring the party to your friend’s backyard with the volume of an old-school boombox, this B&O speaker can do it all. 

What you should consider: This speaker costs a whopping $1,500. 

While Bang and Olufsen were busy combining form and function on an equal playing field, Bose was earning a cult-like following amongst audio enthusiasts because of its technology-forward approach. Although Bose isn’t cheap, it’s positioned itself as the audiophile's go-to company instead of a luxury brand. As a result, Bose speakers contain the latest and greatest in audio technology, including two-way Bluetooth 5.0 and true 360 degree audio projection. Dr. Amar Bose, the founder of Bose, actually invented noise canceling headphones.

Audio research is the foundation of the Bose business model, and their high-tech speakers prove it. 

Quick Take: The Soundlink Revolve+ II packs big, high performance sound into a small, modern design. 

What you’ll love: The sleek, flared cylindrical design isn’t just for looks, it allows this small speaker to use Boses’ unique 360 degree sound staging technology. Plus, the metal exterior is durable and protective. Although this speaker is small, it’s loud and powerful enough to fill small and medium sized rooms. This speaker is made for versatility though, and lasts for 17 hours on a single charge. It also has a nice-feeling carry handle that can be clipped onto a backpack or pocketbook for safekeeping. 

What you should consider: This speaker isn’t fully waterproof and it’s pretty expensive, even in comparison to its competition from B&O. 

Quick Take: This speaker is an all-around high performer, but it really stands out in the area of virtual assistants and voice recognition. 

What you’ll love: The Portable Smart Speaker includes both Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as an array of strategically placed internal microphones that allow it to effortlessly detect your voice, even across a large room. Don’t let the small size and portable nature of this speaker mislead you, it has booming bass and crisp highs. Because this speaker is compatible with the Bose streaming app you can fully take advantage of sound staging. To top it all off, like the SoundLink Revolve+ II, this speaker comes with a convenient carry handle. 

What you should consider: With an average battery life of less than 10 hours, this speaker doesn’t last very long. 

Quick Take: The Home Speaker 500 is the ultimate multi room audio system home base thanks to the fact that it supports bluetooth as well as WiFi streaming and connectivity. 

What you’ll love: This full sized speaker has enough power to fill large rooms with crisp, clean audio. The Home Speaker 500 is intuitive to use because of its digital display. It also has 6 programmable pre-set buttons so you can access your favorite music, podcast or radio station with the press of a button. The Home Speaker 500 also makes a great office companion because the virtual assistants allow you to make and take calls from as far as 30 feet away. 

What you should consider: This speaker doesn’t work with Chromecast and it isn’t ideal for watching movies.