Short answer: the Beats Pill 2024. It ranks #78 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.3/5) at $99.95 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge 3 ranks #90 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Charge 3’s replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $149.95.
The Beats Pill 2024 is the deeper-bass pick. A compact waterproof speaker with long battery life, fast charging, a power bank port and stereo pairing. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 10dB, against 63Hz for the JBL Charge 3. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy.
Why pick the JBL Charge 3: A waterproof speaker with long battery life, a speakerphone and a big battery that charges your phone. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Beats Pill 2024 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Beats Pill 2024. Watch for: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
Buy the Beats Pill 2024. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Charge 3 is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beats Pill 2024 | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.95 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #78 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~56Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.6” x 2.8” x 2.8” (219 x 71 x 70 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers with dual passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | - |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W RMS |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Beats Pill 2024: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Oluv and Alan Ross.
- JBL Charge 3: reviews by Alan Ross, DLX Willington and EnforcerMan.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Beats Pill 2024: