Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Minirig 3 is the better pick: it ranks #8 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5), against #59 (rated 3.5/5) for the JBL Charge 4. If you want one new, the Minirig 4 replaces the Minirig 3 and is rated 4.3/5 at $229.95.
The Minirig 3 is the better-sounding, louder choice. A compact, loud speaker with natural sound, a very long battery, and an optional add on subwoofer, now discontinued. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 105dB at full volume, against 99dB for the JBL Charge 4. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge 4. At 1.2 lbs (550 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge 4 at 2.1 lbs (960 g). The tradeoff: Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating.
The JBL Charge 4 is the tougher option. A rugged waterproof speaker that floats, charges your phone, lasts a long time per charge and links with other JBL speakers. It is rated IPX7 against Splash resistant for the Minirig 3. The catch: 1 Oval driver.
Buy the Minirig 3 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Minirig 4, which replaces the Minirig 3.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Measured Differences
- Output: the Minirig 3 was measured at 105 dB maximum against 99 dB for the JBL Charge 4, so it gets clearly louder before it runs out of headroom.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Minirig 3 | JBL Charge 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $140 Discontinued | $119.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 60ms | 330ms |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Proprietary USB cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 4” x 2.9” (101.6 x 73 mm) (diameter x height) | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 70mm custom driver | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 30W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Strap | - | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Minirig 3: reviews by Alan Ross, Beautiful Zar DJ and James from Canada.
- JBL Charge 4: reviews by Alan Ross, Flossy Carter and DankPods.
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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