Short answer: the Sonos Play if sound quality matters most, the JBL Charge 4 if price matters most. The Sonos Play ranks #48 of 137 medium speakers at $299. The JBL Charge 4 ranks #51 at $119.95, $179.05 cheaper.
What the Sonos Play offers: 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. Set against that: 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.
What the JBL Charge 4 gets right: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers. The catch: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a Charge 3.
Buy the Sonos Play if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the JBL Charge 4 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Play | JBL Charge 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $119.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #48 of 137 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #51 of 137 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 7.6" x 4.4" x 3" (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| EQ | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 30W RMS |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 54Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 330ms |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 29, 2026 at 8:52 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 |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
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JBL Charge 4: $119.95 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers.
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
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