ON THE GO
Beosound Explore
Updated
A tough, pretty speaker for anywhere
Rugged, refined, and long-lasting on a charge. Sound is clean but light on bass, and it lacks a mic or aptX.
8 out of 10 Overall
- Design 9 out of 10 Ridged aluminum that looks good on a trail or a shelf
- Quality 9 out of 10 Tough metal build and IP67 rating; feels made to last
- Utility 7 out of 10 Great battery and toughness, but missing a mic and big sound
$299
at Bang & Olufsen
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Quick facts
Who it's for
Hikers, campers, and people who want a portable speaker that survives the outdoors and still looks good in the living room.
What it solves
Cheap rubbery speakers that look out of place at home, die halfway through a day out, or can't handle rain and dust.
Pros
- Beautiful aluminium build that shrugs off knocks
- IP67 dust and water protection
- Excellent battery life
- Clear, balanced sound for its size
Cons
- Lean bass
- Not very loud
- No mic or power-bank feature
- Pricey for its size
- Battery Up to 27 hours About 2 hours to charge
- Toughness IP67 Dust-tight and waterproof
- Weight 637 g
- Output 2 × 30 W
- Bluetooth 5.2, multipoint
Sound 6
Connectivity 5
Build and power 6
Good to know
- There's no microphone, so it can't take calls or talk to a voice assistant.
- It only uses the basic SBC Bluetooth codec, with no aptX or AAC.
- It can't charge your phone like some rivals can.
- It's tuned for clarity, not volume. It won't carry a big outdoor party.
What's in the box 4
- Beosound Explore speaker
- Carabiner
- USB-C to USB-A cable (0.5 m)
- Quick start guide
Why it's worth it
Most rugged speakers look rugged: chunky rubber, loud colors. The Beosound Explore takes the opposite route, with a ridged aluminium shell that's dust-tight, waterproof, and handsome enough to sit on a bookshelf. It clips onto a bag, runs for up to 27 hours, and plays clean, balanced sound. It's not the loudest or bassiest, but it's the one you'll actually want to take with you.
The review
The Explore is Bang & Olufsen's outdoor speaker. It's a palm-sized aluminium cylinder with a carabiner strap, and it's designed to be thrown in a bag and left out in the rain.
What it does well
Build quality is the standout. The anodized aluminium body is tough, the IP67 rating means dust and a dunk in water aren't a problem, and it still looks refined. Battery life is excellent, with up to 27 hours on a charge.
Sound is detailed and well balanced for the size. Reviewers like how clear voices and instruments are, and you can tweak the EQ in the B&O app. You can pair two for stereo.
Where it falls short
Bass is on the light side and maximum volume is modest, so it's better for a picnic than a party. There's no microphone, no aptX or AAC, and it can't charge your phone. The buttons on top can be hard to see. Some testers found other speakers sound bigger for the same money.
Bottom line
Buy it for the build, the battery, and the looks. If you want booming bass or speakerphone calls, look elsewhere.
Where to buy
$299 at Bang & Olufsen
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