Short answer: the Minirig 4. It ranks #7 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $229.95 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge 3 ranks #90 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Charge 3’s replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $149.95.
The Minirig 4 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A small, long lasting speaker that gets loud and can add a matching subwoofer, with a 30 hour battery. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 10dB, against 63Hz for the JBL Charge 3. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 106dB at full volume, against 100dB for the JBL Charge 3. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge 3. The catch: Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating.
The JBL Charge 3 is the tougher choice. A waterproof speaker with long battery life, a speakerphone and a big battery that charges your phone. It is rated IPX7 against Splash resistant for the Minirig 4. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Minirig 4. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
Buy the Minirig 4. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Charge 3 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Measured Differences
- Output: the Minirig 4 was measured at 106 dB maximum against 100 dB for the JBL Charge 3, so it gets clearly louder before it runs out of headroom.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Minirig 4 | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229.95 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 60ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 4” x 2.9” (101.6 x 73 mm) (diameter x height) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | 70mm custom driver | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 20W RMS |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Minirig 4: reviews by Oluv, Alan Ross and Beautiful Zar DJ.
- JBL Charge 3: reviews by Alan Ross, DLX Willington and EnforcerMan.
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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