Short answer: the JBL Charge 3 for better sound quality, the Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL for the lower price. The JBL Charge 3 ranks #67 of 135 medium speakers at $80. The Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL ranks #128 at $49.04, $30.96 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 3 offers: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
What the Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL offers: IPX7 rated with a carry strap. Watch for: No bass, very rolled off treble.
Buy the JBL Charge 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL. It ranks near the bottom of the 135 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 3 | Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $49.04 |
| Ranked | #67 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #128 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 100dB | 95dB SPL |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g | 1.9 lbs / 0.85 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 48mm |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.5" (213 x 88 x 88 mm) | 7.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" (190 x 89 x 89 mm) (7.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 20W RMS | Not specified |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes (Terrain XL only) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
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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 |
| 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
Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL: $49.04 Amazon
Pros: IPX7 rated with a carry strap. Reasonable battery life across the lineup (14-18 hours depending on model).
Cons: No bass, very rolled off treble. Distortion in the treble. Just doesn’t sound good
Full Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (Terrain XL only) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" (190 x 89 x 89 mm) (7.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 95dB SPL |
| Output Power | Not specified |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.9 lbs / 0.85 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Newly Released! Skullcandy Terrain XL 🦨 Quick Overview & Sound Comparison with JBL Flip 6 & Tozo PA1
- FishBee Product Reviews: Why is NO ONE Buying the New Skullcandy Speakers??
- GYMCADDY: Skullcandy Terrain & Terrain Mini Review
- Flossy Carter: All The New SkullCandy Bluetooth Speakers
- Reddit Search for Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons