Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, if you are buying new. The JBL Charge Essential ranks higher than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 (#89 vs #170 of 172 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.7/5 at $199.95 and is still sold new.
The JBL Charge Essential is the better-sounding, lighter pick. A 1.7 lbs (770 g) IPX7 waterproof speaker with a rated 20-hour battery that doubles as a USB power bank. At 1.7 lbs (770 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 at 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg). The catch: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 is the longer-running pick. Tank-like build quality: reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge Essential. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. Watch for: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Charge Essential; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A 770 g IPX7 waterproof speaker with a rated 20-hour battery that doubles as a USB power bank.
Amazon $73.99 eBay
Tank-like build quality: reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues.
Amazon $72.76 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 17, 2026 at 6:04 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 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 Discontinued | $72.76 |
| Ranked | #89 of 172 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #170 of 172 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | - |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 8” x 3.8” x 4.2” (203.2 x 96.5 x 106.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 80W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (mounting clip) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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