Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 4. It ranks #44 of 105 large speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $309.95 and is still sold new; the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III ranks #64 (rated 3.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III is the lighter choice. Four drivers and two opposing passive radiators give fuller, deeper bass than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2. At 3 lbs (1.37 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Xtreme 4 at 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Xtreme 4 lacks. The catch: No water or dust resistance.
The JBL Xtreme 4 is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. A rugged 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) portable with IP67 protection, a replaceable battery, USB-C power-bank output, Auracast, stereo pairing and a useful 5-band app EQ. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 14 for the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III. It is rated IP67, while the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III has no water resistance. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III cannot. Watch for: It cannot produce the deep rumble of a larger speaker, and bass compression increases near maximum volume.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III is discontinued, so it is only available used.
About the ratings: the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.1 to 3.7, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III | JBL Xtreme 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 Discontinued | $309.95 |
| Ranked | #64 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated | #44 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Drivers | 4x neodymium full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Weight | 3 lbs (1.37 kg) | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 5.3” x 1.9” (256 x 135 x 48 mm) | 11.7” x 5.9” x 5.6” (297 x 149 x 141 mm) |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (5 band) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 220ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | - | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 100W |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Xtreme 4:
- JBL Xtreme 4 vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4
- JBL Xtreme 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Brane X vs JBL Xtreme 4
- JBL Xtreme 4 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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.
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III: $299.95 Discontinued Estimated eBay
Pros: Four drivers and two opposing passive radiators give fuller, deeper bass than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2. Two drivers per side play left and right channels. Up to 14 hours of battery. Wraparound metal grille and sealed silicone buttons hold up to daily handling. Has a 3.5mm aux input.
Cons: No water or dust resistance. No app, EQ, speakerphone or multi speaker pairing. Charges through a proprietary AC adapter rather than USB. Bose boosts the upper bass, so voices can sound thick. Discontinued, so only used or renewed units remain.
Full Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 5.3” x 1.9” (256 x 135 x 48 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x neodymium full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 3 lbs (1.37 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- CNET: Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III: Revamped design, better sound and battery life More from Cnet →
- Android Authority: Bose SoundLink 3 Review
- Solo Trips: BOSE soundlink 3 vs JBL Xtreme
- Solo Trips: BOSE soundtouch 10 vs BOSE Soundlink 3
- Reviews, Tutorials & Tech: Review Bose SoundLink III Bluetooth Speaker More from Audio Science Review →
- Aaron X Loud and Wireless: Bose SoundLink III Speaker in 2018? Watch This Before you buy!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Xtreme 4: $309.95 Amazon $309.95 B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5, released Apr 2026. It adds USB audio input, AAC and LC3, but drops the built-in mic. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.
Older models: the JBL Xtreme 3 (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5), the JBL Xtreme 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5) and the JBL Xtreme (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Xtreme generation.
Pros: A rugged 2.1kg portable with IP67 protection, a replaceable battery, USB-C power-bank output, Auracast, stereo pairing and a useful 5-band app EQ. Independent reviews find the midrange detailed and the sound clear, punchy and refined for outdoor use; it also reaches a strong 106dB maximum level and has excellent real-world battery life.
Cons: It cannot produce the deep rumble of a larger speaker, and bass compression increases near maximum volume. The front-facing layout has only modest off-axis consistency, Bluetooth latency is high for video, and the default balance benefits from EQ adjustment. There is no aux input, so wired sources are not supported. Out of the box it leans bass-boosted, with a dip between the upper bass and midrange that EQ cannot fix, and it pushes the upper mids and treble at high volume. It is also expensive.
Full JBL Xtreme 4 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7” x 5.9” x 5.6” (297 x 149 x 141 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6, Xtreme 4 & Earfun UBoom X - taking sound to the top More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - basstest (bigger=better?)
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown! More from alanrossreviews →
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Boom 3i - first impressions & EQs
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA Deep BASS 🆚 JBL XTREME 4 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Middleton👌🎶 🆚 JBL Xtreme 4 🎶📢
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 4 - sound analysis
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 4 - unboxing & first impressions
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - first impressions
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs JBL Xtreme 3 Sound Test 😍 Best upgrade in the history? 😂 More from Dominik Reviews →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max 100W vs JBL Xtreme 4 Audio Test
- Mateusz Cholewa: LOEWE We HEAR Pro Super Stereo vs JBL Xtreme 4
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 vs JBL Xtreme 4 – OUTSIDE🤗
- Mateusz Cholewa: MARSHALL Kilburn 3 🆚 JBL Xtreme 4
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4 in 2026
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 2026, massive upgrade over JBL Xtreme 4! Full tests!
- Dominik Reviews: Tronsmart Bang 2 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Are both Extreme?
- Techder Audios: JBL Xtreme 4 VS Teufel Rockster Cross “DEEP BASS VS BETTER MIDS !” More from techderaudios →
- Dominik Reviews: Teufel BOOMSTER 4 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Not great for the size? Sound Test
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA - Unboxing.📦 Short Test vs Xtreme 4
- Dominik Reviews: Tronsmart Fiitune X30 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Complete opposite of eachother? - Sound Test
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot s98 vs Jbl xtreme 4. outdoor sound test 🔊 More from YARNZO Tech →
- Dominik Reviews: Bugani Brief Pro vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Not so extreme? - Sound Test
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot S79 vs JBL Xtreme 4 full review and sound battle
- YARNZO Tech: Jbl xtreme 4 vs zealot s98. both were released 2024 does size really matter here 🤔let’s find out
- BT Sound Lab: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Tronsmart Bang 2
- Dominik Reviews: Sony ULT Field 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - Outdoor Sound Test - Sony shines or not?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons