Short answer: the JBL Flip 4. It ranks #63 of 135 medium speakers by sound quality at $70; the JBL Charge 3 ranks #67 and costs $80, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Flip 4 offers: Less bass than a Flip 5. Watch for: Battery failures are common.
What the JBL Charge 3 offers: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
Buy the JBL Flip 4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge 3 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 3 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 4.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 4 | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70 Discontinued | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #63 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| TWS | No | - |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 510 g | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.5" (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | 20W RMS |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Max Volume | 92dB | 100dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| App | - | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| EQ | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Flip 5 vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3
- JBL Flip 5 vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Charge Essential vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3
- JBL Flip 4 vs LG Xboom Grab
- JBL Charge 3 vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip 4: $70 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Less bass than a Flip 5. Peaky lower treble.
Cons: Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 510 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3?
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Charge 3: $80 Discontinued
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. IPX7 rated; built-in noise/echo-cancelling speakerphone.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 3 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.5" (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 and Charge 3 - best JBL charge 5 review 2021?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 4 and JBL Charge 3 - small one or a large one? 🤷♂️
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3?
- EnforcerMan: JBL CHARGE 3 VS TREBLAB HD77 - FULL REVIEW
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons