Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 for better sound quality, the JBL Charge 3 for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #55 of 136 medium speakers at $184. The JBL Charge 3 ranks #67 at $80, $104 cheaper.
What the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 gets right: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
What the JBL Charge 3 offers: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. Set against that: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 is discontinued, but it still ranks #55 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Charge 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 3 is rated for 20 hours versus 10 hours for the Bose Soundlink Mini 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Charge 3 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $184.00 Discontinued | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #55 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.5" (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | Micro USB |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 100dB |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 20W RMS |
| EQ | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Bose Soundlink Mini vs JBL Flip Essential
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Charge 3 vs Sonos Roam 2
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini 2: $184.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech! More from alanrossreviews →
- Patricio Benadon: Bose SoundLink Flex vs. Mini 2 SE. Music audio quality sound test. Listen 4 different genres!
- techkiste.net: Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs the world ;) (Denon Envaya DSB250, Vifa Reykjavik, iRoar Go)
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Mini 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- See all 23 comparisons
JBL Charge 3: $80 Discontinued
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. IPX7 rated; built-in noise/echo-cancelling speakerphone.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 3 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons