Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, if you are buying new. The JBL Charge Essential ranks higher than the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 (#92 vs #114 of 175 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, longer-running pick. Doubles as a power bank. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 15 for the Ultimate Ears Boom 3. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is the lighter pick. Rich and warm bass without muddying mix, crisp highs, excellent 15-hour battery life, stable Bluetooth connectivity, IP67 rated and floats, rugged fabric shell, can pair up to 150 speakers via PartyUp. At 1.3 lbs (608 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 plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential. The catch: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Charge Essential; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Ultimate Ears Boom 3.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Ultimate Ears Boom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 Discontinued | $134.99 |
| Ranked | #92 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #114 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (Ultimate Ears BOOM & MEGABOOM app) |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (via app) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 1.3 lbs (608 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 2” active drivers + 2x 2” x 4” passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 7.2” x 2.9” (184 x 73 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 91Hz |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 87dB (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Discontinued Amazon $73.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5, released Apr 2026. See every JBL Charge Essential generation.
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded JBL Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge Essential review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Ultimate Ears Boom 3: $134.99 Amazon $134.99 eBay
Newer model: the Ultimate Ears Boom 4, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5, released Jun 2024. See every Ultimate Ears Wonderboom, Boom and Megaboom generation.
Pros: Rich and warm bass without muddying mix, crisp highs, excellent 15-hour battery life, stable Bluetooth connectivity, IP67 rated and floats, rugged fabric shell, can pair up to 150 speakers via PartyUp. Measured bass extension of 91Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble. You can tell from the micro USB that they are just feeding you the same crap hardware over and over, this is inexcusable for a product released in 2021. Lots of mentions of failing batteries on amazon. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Ultimate Ears Boom 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Ultimate Ears BOOM & MEGABOOM app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 91Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.2” x 2.9” (184 x 73 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” active drivers + 2x 2” x 4” passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 87dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (608 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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