Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE for better sound quality, the Oontz Angle 3 for the lower price. The JBL Charge Essential ranks higher than the Oontz Angle 3 (#91 vs #177 of 182 medium speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.7/5 at $199.95; the Oontz Angle 3 is rated 2.1/5 at $19.98, $179.97 cheaper.
The JBL Charge Essential is the better-sounding, longer-running option. A waterproof speaker with long battery life that charges your phone and pairs with a second unit for stereo. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 14 for the Oontz Angle 3. It is rated IPX7 against IPX5 for the Oontz Angle 3. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
The Oontz Angle 3 is the lighter pick. A very cheap splash resistant speaker with an aux input for casual use around the house. At 1.3 lbs (580 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge Essential at 1.7 lbs (770 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential.
Buy the Oontz Angle 3 if price matters most. For better sound quality, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Charge Essential, is rated higher but costs $199.95.
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 | Oontz Angle 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 Discontinued | $19.98 |
| Ranked | #91 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #177 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 1.3 lbs (580 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x precision acoustic drivers + 1x passive bass radiator |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 5.3” x 2.6” x 2.8” (133.4 x 66 x 71.1 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 12W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 138Hz |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 89dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge Essential: reviews by Techder Audios, Flossy Carter and The Tech Files.
- Oontz Angle 3: manufacturer specifications and listening comparisons; no independent measurement has been published yet.
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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