Short answer: the Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus. It ranks #84 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.3/5) at $49.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge Essential ranks #91 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Charge Essential’s replacement, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.7/5 at $199.95.
The case for the Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus: An affordable waterproof speaker with a separate tweeter, app EQ, Auracast linking, stereo pairing and USB-C audio input. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: In side by side tests by Clinch Audio Bass and Mateusz Cholewa, the Xiaomi Sound Party and Soundcore Boom 3i sounded more refined and fuller, and listeners described the C3 Plus’s treble as dull.
The JBL Charge Essential is the longer-running choice. A waterproof speaker with long battery life that charges your phone and pairs with a second unit for stereo. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Charge Essential is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $73.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #84 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #91 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 20W RMS |
| App | Yes (Tronsmart) | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours at 50% volume (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 4.1 |
| Charging Time | 4 hours | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3”H x 3.1”W x 3.3”D (210 x 80 x 85 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x racetrack woofer + 1x tweeter | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (app) | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (0.81 kg) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus: reviews by Oluv, Mateusz Cholewa and Techder Audios.
- JBL Charge Essential: reviews by Techder Audios, Flossy Carter and The Tech Files.
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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