Short answer: the Sony XB23 for better sound quality, the JBL Charge 3 for the lower price. The Sony XB23 ranks #64 of 136 medium speakers at $100. The JBL Charge 3 ranks #67 at $80, $20 cheaper.
On the Sony XB23 side: Reasonably neutral. Set against that: Bass drops off a ton at high levels.
What the JBL Charge 3 offers: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
Buy the Sony XB23 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Charge 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 3 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the Sony XB23.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Charge 3 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Sony XB23 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB23 | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #64 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 95dB | 100dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 580 g | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 3" x 8.6" x 3" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.5" (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Output Power | 8W RMS | 20W RMS |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) | No |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- Sony XB23 vs JBL Charge Essential
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony XB23: $100
Pros: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life.
Cons: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max
Full Sony XB23 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3" x 8.6" x 3" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 95dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 8W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 580 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei Sound Joy vs Sony xb23 - worse or worser? 🤭
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs XB33 - specs and measurements
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment
- Reddit Search for Sony XB23 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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