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 4 ranks #59 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Charge 4’s replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $149.95.
The case for the Tronsmart T8: 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 4 lacks. Watch for: 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.
The case for the JBL Charge 4: A rugged waterproof speaker that floats, charges your phone, lasts a long time per charge and links with other JBL speakers. Watch for: Not stereo.
Buy the Tronsmart T8. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Charge 4 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tronsmart T8 | JBL Charge 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $119.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #54 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Stereo | Partially | No |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 30W RMS |
| App | Yes (Tronsmart) | Yes |
| 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 | 4.2 |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours | - |
| Dimensions | 8.6”H x 3.2”W x 3.2”D (218 x 82 x 82 mm) | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x upward firing full-range drivers + 1x woofer + 2x passive radiators | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (app) | No |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (0.80 kg) | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 54Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 330ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Tronsmart T8: reviews by Mateusz Cholewa, Techder Audios and Jagist.
- JBL Charge 4: reviews by Alan Ross, Flossy Carter and DankPods.
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.
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Tronsmart T8: