Short answer: the Bogasing M5. It ranks #64 of 164 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5) at $52.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge 3 ranks #88 (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.
The Bogasing M5 is the longer-running pick. Compact enough for a backpack side pocket at under 1.7 lbs (771 g). It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge 3. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: Front/rear driver configuration.
The JBL Charge 3 is the louder choice. Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 100dB at full volume, against 96dB for the Bogasing M5. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Bogasing M5. The catch: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
Buy the Bogasing M5. 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bogasing M5 | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $52.99 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #64 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #88 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 61Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No (front/rear drivers) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (757 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 3” x 2.8” (160 x 76 x 71 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W RMS |
| Drivers | 30W system | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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- JBL Charge 6 vs Bogasing M5
Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bogasing M5: $52.99 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Bogasing M4 (ranked higher, rated 4/5).
Pros: Compact enough for a backpack side pocket at under 1.7 lb. Up to 30 hours of battery life. USB-C charging: no proprietary cable to lose. Measured bass extension of 61Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Front/rear driver configuration. Use bass mode for the flattest response. Sounds thin in the midrange. Hot treble and rolled off bass in default mode. Treble a bit rolled off in bass mode.
Full Bogasing M5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 61Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 3” x 2.8” (160 x 76 x 71 mm) |
| Drivers | 30W system |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (757 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Charge 3: $80 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Older model: the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. IPX7 rated; built-in noise/echo-cancelling speakerphone. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 and Charge 3 - best JBL charge 5 review 2021? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 4 and JBL Charge 3 - small one or a large one? 🤷♂️
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- EnforcerMan: JBL CHARGE 3 VS TREBLAB HD77 - FULL REVIEW
- Head-to-Head Comparisons