Short answer: the JBL Charge 6. It ranks #12 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $149.95; the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE ranks #42, rated 3.7/5, and costs $199.95, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Side by side, the Charge 6 is the better speaker. In a direct listening comparison, the Charge Essential 3 SE had weaker, less stable bass that distorted on bass-heavy tracks even with the bass turned down, and a narrow upper mid boost that sounded less natural. The Charge 6 was fuller, tighter and cleaner.
The Charge 6 also has more features: IP68 against IP67, a claimed 24 hours of battery against 20, a 7-band app EQ, and an Oluv EQ linked on its page that makes it more neutral still. It is bass boosted and a little V-shaped by default.
What the Essential 3 SE offers: Bluetooth 5.4 with LC3, Auracast stereo pairing, a USB-C power bank and a separate tweeter in the same Charge-size body. In the US it is sold only through JBL’s own store at $199.95, so check that against the Charge 6’s current $149.95 before choosing it.
Buy the JBL Charge 6. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 6 | JBL Charge Essential 3 SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.95 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #12 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Auracast) |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (990 g) | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 9” x 3.9” x 3.7” (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 52mm x 90mm racetrack woofer, 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C (5V/3A) |
| Amplifier Power | 45W | 40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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