Short answer: the JBL Charge 6, if you are buying new. The JBL Charge 4 ranks higher than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 (#59 vs #170 of 172 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $119.95 and is still sold new.
The JBL Charge 4 is the better-sounding, lighter choice. Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. At 2.1 lbs (960 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 at 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg). It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: 1 Oval driver.
The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 is the longer-running option. Tank-like build quality: reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge 4. The catch: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews.
Buy the JBL Charge 6, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Charge 4; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Tank-like build quality: reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 4 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.95 Discontinued | $72.76 |
| Ranked | #59 of 172 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #170 of 172 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | Yes |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) | 8” x 3.8” x 4.2” (203.2 x 96.5 x 106.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS | 80W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| App | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Strap | No | Yes (mounting clip) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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