Short answer: the Harman Kardon Luna. It ranks #26 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $290.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge 3 ranks #91 (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 $119.95.
The Harman Kardon Luna is the better-sounding option. The sound is fairly balanced apart from the boosted bass. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Boosted bass, and less detailed than higher-ranked speakers.
The JBL Charge 3 is the longer-running, lighter option. Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Harman Kardon Luna. At 1.8 lbs (800 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Harman Kardon Luna at 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Harman Kardon Luna lacks. The catch: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
Buy the Harman Kardon Luna. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Charge 3 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Luna | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $290.99 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #26 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #91 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.1” x 3.1” (210 x 78 x 80 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | 48mm x 90mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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- Harman Kardon Luna vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
Harman Kardon Luna: $290.99 Amazon $290.99 eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Luna 2, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5, released Mar 2026. It adds app control and adjustable EQ. See every Harman Kardon Luna generation.
Pros: Harman Kardon Luna uses 48mm x 90mm woofer, 20mm tweeter. Its 1.13 kg, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. The sound is fairly balanced apart from the boosted bass. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 57Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Boosted bass, and less detailed than higher-ranked speakers.
Full Harman Kardon Luna review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.1” x 3.1” (210 x 78 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 48mm x 90mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon Luna - sound demo More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Onyx Studio 9 or Go Play 3? Or even the HK Luna?? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beats Pill vs Harman Luna vs Bose Flex vs Soundcore Motion Plus
- Mateusz Cholewa: Harman Kardon Luna 2 UNBOXING vs HK Luna Short Test More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Storytripper HD: Harman Kardon Luna vs Luna 2 More from storytripperhd →
- Storytripper HD: Klipsch Nashville vs Harman Kardon Luna vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Storytripper HD: Huawei Sound Joy 2 vs Tribit XSound Plus 2 vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Charge 3: $80 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older model: the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
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 JBL Flip 4. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 3 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 4 unboxing first impressions - vs Charge 3 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 and Charge 3 - best JBL charge 5 review 2021?
- 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
- YouTube: Sony SRS XB31 vs JBL Charge 3: Sound Battle
- Head-to-Head Comparisons