Beosound A1 (3rd Gen)

Portable Bluetooth speakers are usually a trade-off: either they’re rugged and forgettable, or they sound decent and feel flimsy. If you want something you’ll actually enjoy living with at home, in a bag, or by the pool, the Beosound A1 3rd Gen is aimed squarely at that problem. ## What makes it worth it It’s one of the few compact speakers that genuinely feels premium in the hand, with a pearl-blasted aluminium body and leather strap that separate it from the usual plastic crowd. Sound is the real draw, though: reviews consistently praise its composed, detailed presentation and especially strong midrange clarity for such a small speaker. Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours, which puts it right up there with the better portable Bluetooth speakers today, and the IP67 rating means dust and water won’t ruin a weekend away. It also adds USB-C wired audio, stereo pairing, and three microphones for calls. ## Where it falls short The price is the obvious sting. At this level, rivals like JBL and Bose give you more outright portability value, and the A1’s Bluetooth 5.1 spec feels a bit behind newer alternatives. It’s also not the loudest choice for bigger outdoor gatherings. Buy it if you want a premium small Bluetooth speaker for everyday listening and travel. Skip it if you want the loudest, cheapest, or most aggressively rugged portable speaker.

£226.7