Short answer: the Sonos Play for better sound quality, the JBL Charge 3 for the lower price. The Sonos Play ranks #53 of 150 medium speakers, rated 3.5/5, at $299. The JBL Charge 3 ranks #77, rated 3.2/5, at $80, $219 cheaper.
What the Sonos Play does well: Genuinely wide, clean stereo dispersion off-axis thanks to the two angled tweeters, holding up from the side far better than most portables. The catch: Bass distorts noticeably on bass-heavy tracks at default settings, and the distortion persists even after enabling Trueplay tuning and manually pulling bass back in the app.
The case for the JBL Charge 3: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. The catch: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
One note: the JBL Charge 3 is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore.
Buy the Sonos Play when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the JBL Charge 3 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Play | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #53 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #77 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) | - |
| Dimensions | 7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W RMS |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
Sonos Play: $299.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Genuinely wide, clean stereo dispersion off-axis thanks to the two angled tweeters, holding up from the side far better than most portables. Loudness processing keeps it sounding full-bodied at low volume. 24-hour user-replaceable battery with an included wireless charging base, IP67 waterproof and dustproof, and full Sonos WiFi multi-room with AirPlay 2 on top of Bluetooth 5.3.
Cons: Bass distorts noticeably on bass-heavy tracks at default settings, and the distortion persists even after enabling Trueplay tuning and manually pulling bass back in the app. Sounds boxy and short on clarity next to cheaper competitors.
Full Sonos Play review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) |
| Drivers | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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JBL Charge 3: $80 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. IPX7 rated; built-in noise/echo-cancelling speakerphone. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
- 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? More from alanrossreviews →
- 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? More from DLXWillington →
- EnforcerMan: JBL CHARGE 3 VS TREBLAB HD77 - FULL REVIEW
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