Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the JBL Charge 3 is the better pick: it ranks #88 of 166 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.2/5), against #120 (rated 2.8/5) for the Sony SRS-XB31. If you want one new, the JBL Charge 6 replaces the JBL Charge 3 and is rated 4.2/5 at $149.95.
The JBL Charge 3 is the better-sounding choice. Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
The case for the Sony SRS-XB31: In side-by-side tests it played louder than both the JBL Charge 3 and the JBL Charge 4, with deeper bass than the Charge 3. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. Watch for: The Charge 4 sounded clearly better balanced, with better mids and highs, and bass turns muddy at high volume or in Extra Bass mode.
Buy the JBL Charge 3 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Charge 6, which replaces the JBL Charge 3.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 3 | Sony SRS-XB31 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #88 of 166 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 166 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) | 2 lbs (890 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 48mm full-range drivers, 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) | 3.4”H x 9.1”W x 3.2”D (87 x 231 x 81 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | - |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Related Speaker Comparisons
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Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 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
- YouTube: Sony SRS XB31 vs JBL Charge 3: Sound Battle
- Alan Ross Reviews: jbl Charge 4 unboxing first impressions - vs Charge 3
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XB31 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Apr 2025.
Older model: the Sony SRS-XB30 (ranked lower, rated 2.6/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: In side-by-side tests it played louder than both the JBL Charge 3 and the JBL Charge 4, with deeper bass than the Charge 3. IP67, 24 hours of battery without lights, app EQ, Live Sound mode and an aux input.
Cons: The Charge 4 sounded clearly better balanced, with better mids and highs, and bass turns muddy at high volume or in Extra Bass mode. It uses the same drivers as the Sony SRS-XB30, charges over micro USB and is discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB31 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 3.4”H x 9.1”W x 3.2”D (87 x 231 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm full-range drivers, 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2 lbs (890 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons