Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE for better sound quality, the Tronsmart Mirtune C3 for the lower price. The JBL Charge Essential ranks higher than the Tronsmart Mirtune C3 (#91 vs #102 of 182 medium speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.7/5 at $199.95; the Tronsmart Mirtune C3 is rated 3.1/5 at $29.99, $169.96 cheaper.
The JBL Charge Essential is the 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 12 for the Tronsmart Mirtune C3. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
The Tronsmart Mirtune C3 is the lighter pick. A small, light waterproof speaker at a budget price, with Auracast multi speaker sync, stereo pairing, USB-C audio input and app EQ. At 1.2 lbs (530 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge Essential at 1.7 lbs (770 g). It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: In GiT’s three way blind test it came behind the Creative Muvo Go and Xiaomi Sound Outdoor, sounding good only on sparse tracks, and listeners in AudioPro Reviews’ comparison found the JBL Flip 6 fuller with more bass.
Buy the Tronsmart Mirtune C3 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.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Tronsmart Mirtune C3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 Discontinued | $29.99 |
| Ranked | #91 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #102 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (Tronsmart) |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours at 50% volume (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (app) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 1.2 lbs (0.53 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 6.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 1x racetrack woofer + 1x tweeter |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 7.1”H x 2.8”W x 2.8”D (180 x 70 x 72 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 30W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (lanyard) |
| Battery Capacity | - | 14.8Wh (7.4V, 2000mAh) |
| Charging Time | - | 2 hours |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge Essential: reviews by Techder Audios, Flossy Carter and The Tech Files.
- Tronsmart Mirtune C3: reviews by THBOX, GiT and AudioPro.
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.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Charge Essential: