Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi. It ranks #29 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $139.95 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge 3 ranks #91 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Charge 3’s replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $119.95.
The JBL Charge 5 Wifi is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 10dB, against 63Hz for the JBL Charge 3. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. The catch: Shouty upper mids.
The JBL Charge 3 is the lighter choice. Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. At 1.8 lbs (800 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge 5 Wifi at 2.2 lbs (1 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 Wifi lacks. It links with other speakers (Connect+ up to 100 speakers), which the JBL Charge 5 Wifi cannot. Watch for: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Charge 3 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 Wifi | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.95 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #29 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #91 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 97 x 94 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music | - |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W RMS |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (Manufacturer specified) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 5 Wifi: $139.95 Amazon $139.95 eBay
Same family: the JBL Charge 5 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 4/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive. No party mode on the wifi version
Full JBL Charge 5 Wifi review and specifications →
| Released | May 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 97 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
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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
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