Short answer: the Klipsch Groove, if you are buying new. The JBL Charge 3 ranks higher than it (#81 vs #105 of 157 medium speakers, 3.2/5 vs 2.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Klipsch Groove is still sold new at $9.
The JBL Charge 3 is the better-sounding, 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 8 for the Klipsch Groove. It is rated IPX7 against IPX4 for the Klipsch Groove. It links with other speakers (Connect+ up to 100 speakers), which the Klipsch Groove cannot. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
What the Klipsch Groove does well: Pretty balanced sound in a compact, splash-resistant form factor. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. The tradeoff: Bass doesn’t go as deep as class leaders.
Buy the Klipsch Groove, since the JBL Charge 3 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 3 | Klipsch Groove | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | 9.00 |
| Ranked | #81 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 4.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 1x 3” full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) | 5” x 6” x 2.6” (127 x 152 x 67 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 10W RMS |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Strap | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Klipsch Groove: 9.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Pretty balanced sound in a compact, splash-resistant form factor. IPX4 water resistance and ~8 hour battery life make it durable for outdoor and poolside use. 3-inch high excursion full-range driver paired with dual side-firing passive radiators.
Cons: Not stereo. Bass doesn’t go as deep as class leaders. Distortion sets in at higher output levels. Older Bluetooth 4.0 architecture without app EQ.
Full Klipsch Groove review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5” x 6” x 2.6” (127 x 152 x 67 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 3” full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
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