Short answer: the KEF Muo gen2 is the more balanced speaker; the Charge 3 has the power bank and battery. KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance, but the Muo gen2 is still lacking deeper bass and its bass is very thuddy; it appears to be the exact same hardware with updated tuning. The Charge 3 doubles as a 6000mAh power bank with ~20 hour battery life, though it has less clarity than the Flip 4.
Buy the KEF Muo gen2 new; the JBL Charge 3 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 3 | KEF Muo gen2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $249.99 |
| Ranked | #88 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #94 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 90dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) | 1.6 lbs (740 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.4 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) | 8.5” x 3.2” x 2.3” (216 x 82 x 59 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 40W |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, aptX Adaptive up to 48 kHz 24 bit |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
KEF Muo gen2: $249.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance
Cons: Lacking deeper bass. Very thuddy bass. Appears to be the exact same hardware but with updated tuning. Bass distorts as volume increases, and the claimed 43Hz extension is really only audible at low listening volumes, with a few seconds of lag after volume changes. Loses most of its bass off-axis. Customer reviews are mixed, ranging from praise for detail at low volume to complaints of a boxy, hollow sound.
Full KEF Muo gen2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX Adaptive up to 48 kHz 24 bit |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 8.5” x 3.2” x 2.3” (216 x 82 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (740 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons