Short answer: the JBL Charge 6, if you are buying new. The JBL Charge 3 ranks higher than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 (#88 vs #170 of 172 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $119.95 and is still sold new.
The JBL Charge 3 is the better-sounding, lighter choice. Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. At 1.8 lbs (800 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 at 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3. The catch: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 is the longer-running choice. Tank-like build quality: reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge 3. Watch for: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews.
Buy the JBL Charge 6, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Charge 3; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life.
eBay
Tank-like build quality: reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 3 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $72.76 |
| Ranked | #88 of 172 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #170 of 172 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” x 3.8” x 4.2” (203.2 x 96.5 x 106.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 80W |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | - | Yes (mounting clip) |
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