Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the JBL Charge 4 is the better pick: it ranks #62 of 166 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5), against #120 (rated 2.8/5) for the Sony SRS-XB31. If you want one new, the JBL Charge 6 replaces the JBL Charge 4 and is rated 4.2/5 at $149.95.
The JBL Charge 4 is the better-sounding choice. Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: 1 Oval driver.
What the Sony SRS-XB31 does well: 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 4 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 4. 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 4 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 4.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 4 | Sony SRS-XB31 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $94.99 Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #62 of 166 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 166 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 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) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 2 lbs (890 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange | 2x 48mm full-range drivers, 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) | 3.4”H x 9.1”W x 3.2”D (87 x 231 x 81 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Strap | No | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
- YouTube: Sony SRS XB31 vs JBL Charge 4: Sound Battle
- YouTube: Vifa Reykjavik vs JBL Charge 4 vs Sony XB31
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- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge 4
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge 4
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge 4
- Minirig 4 vs JBL Charge 4
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 4: $94.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older models: the JBL Charge 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a JBL Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 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 Charge 4 unboxing first impressions - vs Charge 3
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 and Charge 3 - best JBL charge 5 review 2021?
- Alan Ross Reviews: W King D8 Mini review vs JBL Charge 4 vs Maxsound Plus
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB33 vs XB32 vs JBL Charge 4 best £120 bluetooth speaker?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 4 and JBL Charge 3 - small one or a large one? 🤷♂️
- Flossy Carter: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Charge Essential More from FlossyCarter →
- Naresh Lal: JBL Charge 4 Vs Xdobo X8 Tell me Which one is the BEST?
- Alan Ross Reviews: LG Xboom Go PL7 vs JBL Charge 4 and Sony XB33 - best Bluetooth speaker?
- YouTube: Vifa Reykjavik vs JBL Charge 4 vs Sony XB31
- YouTube: Sony SRS XB31 vs JBL Charge 4: Sound Battle
- DankPods: The bluetooth speaker shootout.
- YouTube: UE Boom 3 vs JBL Charge 4 vs Vifa Reykjavik
- 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