Short answer: the JBL Charge 3 ranks #67 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $80; the Soundcore Flare 2 ranks #105 at $80. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
What the JBL Charge 3 offers: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. IPX7 rated; built-in noise/echo-cancelling speakerphone. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4. Battery failures are common.
What the Soundcore Flare 2 offers: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it Watch for: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Buy the JBL Charge 3. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Soundcore Flare 2 at the same price, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
The Soundcore Flare 2 is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers; there are better options higher up.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 3 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the Soundcore Flare 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 3 | Soundcore Flare 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $80 |
| Ranked | #67 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 100dB | 99dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.5" (213 x 88 x 88 mm) | - |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 20W RMS | 20W |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- JBL Flip Essential vs Soundcore 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Bose Soundlink Flex vs JBL Charge Essential
- Soundcore Glow vs JBL Charge 3
- Soundcore Glow vs Soundcore Flare 2
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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
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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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 |
- 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
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Amazon eBay
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
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- See all 73 comparisons