Short answer: the JBL Charge 6, if you are buying new. The JBL Charge 3 ranks higher than the JBL Grip (#91 vs #99 of 175 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 longer-running pick. Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 14 for the JBL Grip. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Grip lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Grip. Watch for: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
The JBL Grip is the lighter choice. Ambient light on the back with settable themes. At 0.8 lbs (385 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge 3 at 1.8 lbs (800 g). It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip.
Buy the JBL Charge 6, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Charge 3; it is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Grip.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 3 | JBL Grip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $99.95 |
| Ranked | #91 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #99 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | ~68Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.4 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 1x 43x80mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) | 2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 16W |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes (7 band) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP68 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | Yes (strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Charge 3 compares with other leading options:
- EarFun Uboom L vs JBL Charge 3
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge 3
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge 3
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge 3
- Minirig 4 vs JBL Charge 3
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
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
JBL Grip: $99.95 Amazon $99.95 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Ambient light on the back with settable themes. Measured bass extension of ~68Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip. Not as much clarity as higher ranked speakers, rolled off highs and wavy midrange
Setup: EQ from Oluv in his post can help it a bit but still isn’t very neutral
Full JBL Grip review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~68Hz |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 43x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons