Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. It ranks #42 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $199.95. The Beats Pill 2024 ranks #78, rated 3.3/5, at $99.95, $100 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The JBL Charge Essential 3 SE is the better-sounding choice. A fully waterproof speaker with plenty of volume and bass, long battery life, a phone charging port, app EQ and Auracast pairing. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Beats Pill 2024 lacks. The tradeoff: In side-by-side listening against the JBL Charge 6, its bass is weaker and less stable and distorts on bass-heavy tracks even with the bass turned down in the app, while a narrow boost in the upper mids makes it sound less natural.
The Beats Pill 2024 is the lighter option. A compact waterproof speaker with long battery life, fast charging, a power bank port and stereo pairing. At 1.5 lbs (680 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE at 2.1 lbs (960 g). The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $100 you would save on the Beats Pill 2024 does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 3 SE | Beats Pill 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $99.95 |
| Ranked | #42 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #78 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast) | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8.6” x 2.8” x 2.8” (219 x 71 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm x 90mm racetrack woofer, 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators | 2x drivers with dual passive radiators |
| Amplifier Power | 40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter) | - |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A) | USB-C |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | No | Yes (lanyard) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~56Hz |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge Essential 3 SE: reviews by Mateusz Cholewa.
- Beats Pill 2024: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Oluv and Alan Ross.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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