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 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge 3 ranks #90 (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 $149.95.
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 supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: 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.
Why pick the JBL Charge 3: A waterproof speaker with long battery life, a speakerphone and a big battery that charges your phone. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. The catch: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Charge 3 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete 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 | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #42 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm x 90mm racetrack woofer, 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Amplifier Power | 40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter) | 20W RMS |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A) | Micro USB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge Essential 3 SE: reviews by Mateusz Cholewa.
- JBL Charge 3: reviews by Alan Ross, DLX Willington and EnforcerMan.
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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