Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Revolve for better sound quality, the JBL Charge 3 for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Revolve ranks #48 of 136 medium speakers at $220. The JBL Charge 3 ranks #67 at $80, $140 cheaper.
On the Bose Soundlink Revolve side: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers. Watch for: Not stereo. Strange sizzling treble, peaks and dips.
What the JBL Charge 3 gets right: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Revolve is discontinued, but it still ranks #48 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 Revolve 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 12 hours for the Bose Soundlink Revolve.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Charge 3 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Revolve at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Revolve | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $220.00 Discontinued | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #48 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | 63Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 660 g | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 3.2" x 6" x 3.2" (82 x 152 x 82 mm) | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.5" (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| App | Bose Connect | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Drivers | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 100dB |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 20W RMS |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Revolve: $220.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers.
Cons: Not stereo. Strange sizzling treble, peaks and dips. Overly boosted boomy bass at 75hz. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Revolve review and specifications →
| App | Bose Connect |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.2" x 6" x 3.2" (82 x 152 x 82 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 660 g |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org) More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Revolve Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore Glow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Pulse 5
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
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- See all 21 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