Short answer: the Tronsmart T8. It ranks #54 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5) at $49.99 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 Tronsmart T8 is the better-sounding option. An affordable waterproof speaker with upward firing drivers that spread sound around, plus lights, app EQ, an aux input and stereo pairing. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: Against the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor, listeners in Mateusz Cholewa’s comparison found the T8 harsh and tiring, and Techder Audios’ test showed the Xiaomi Sound Party with deeper, heavier bass.
What the JBL Charge 3 does well: A waterproof speaker with long battery life, a speakerphone and a big battery that charges your phone. Watch for: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
Buy the Tronsmart T8. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Charge 3 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 T8 | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #54 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W RMS |
| App | Yes (Tronsmart) | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours at 50% volume, lights off (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours | - |
| Dimensions | 8.6”H x 3.2”W x 3.2”D (218 x 82 x 82 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x upward firing full-range drivers + 1x woofer + 2x passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (app) | No |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | - |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (0.80 kg) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Tronsmart T8: reviews by Mateusz Cholewa, Techder Audios and Jagist.
- 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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