Short answer: the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2, if you are buying new. The JBL Charge 3 ranks higher than it (#77 vs #149 of 150 medium speakers, 3.2/5 vs 2.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 is still sold new at $69.99.
Why pick the JBL Charge 3: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
Why pick the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2: Tank-like build quality: reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. The tradeoff: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews of the line generally.
Buy the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 if you want one new; the JBL Charge 3 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 3 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $69.99 |
| Ranked | #77 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #149 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | - |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) | 8.6” x 4.2” x 4.6” (218 x 107 x 117 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 10W |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| EQ | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Strap | - | Yes (mounting clip) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
JBL Charge 3: $80 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
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
Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2: $69.99 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3, ranked higher, rated 2/5.
Pros: Tank-like build quality: reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. IP67 rated; doubles as a power bank. Universal mounting clip for a bike, kayak, or backpack. Built-in speakerphone with voice-confirmed caller ID.
Cons: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews of the line generally. Gets distorted with a lot of bass. No true wireless stereo pairing between two units, unlike the Lifejacket 3. Only available used now.
Full Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.6” x 4.2” x 4.6” (218 x 107 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (mounting clip) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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