Short answer: the JBL Charge 3. It ranks #67 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $80; the JBL Charge 2 ranks #69 and costs $149, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Charge 3 offers: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
What the JBL Charge 2 gets right: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. The catch: Bass compression at higher volumes.
Buy the JBL Charge 3. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 3 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Charge 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 3 | JBL Charge 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $149 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #67 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #69 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 100dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | - |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 3.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.5" (213 x 88 x 88 mm) | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 20W RMS | 15W RMS |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
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 |
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- 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?
- 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?
- EnforcerMan: JBL CHARGE 3 VS TREBLAB HD77 - FULL REVIEW
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Charge 2: $149 Discontinued
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. Social Mode pairs up to 3 phones; works as a speakerphone.
Cons: Bass compression at higher volumes. Warm sound. slightly rolled off treble. Not as loud as other speakers. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 15W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons