Short answer: the Turtlebox Ranger. It ranks #65 of 166 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5) at $250 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge 3 ranks #88 (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 case for the Turtlebox Ranger: Smoother frequency response than the other Turtlebox speakers. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Bass sounds kind of thuddy and isn’t as deep as higher ranked speakers.
The JBL Charge 3 is the longer-running, lighter pick. Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Turtlebox Ranger. At 1.8 lbs (800 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Turtlebox Ranger at 2.4 lbs (1.09 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Turtlebox Ranger lacks. The catch: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
Buy the Turtlebox Ranger. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Charge 3 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Ranger | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250.00 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #65 of 166 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #88 of 166 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 12+ hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 9.5” x 3.1” x 3.1” (241 x 80 x 80 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | 2” (51mm) woofers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1089 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W RMS |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Turtlebox Ranger compares with other leading options:
- Turtlebox Ranger vs EarFun Uboom L
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Soundcore Motion+
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
- Denon Envaya DSB-250BT vs Turtlebox Ranger
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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
Turtlebox Ranger: $250.00 Amazon eBay
Same family: the Turtlebox Cub (smaller model, rated 3/5), the Turtlebox Gen 3 (larger model, rated 2.1/5) and the Turtlebox Grande (larger model, rated 2.6/5). See every Turtlebox generation.
Pros: Smoother frequency response than the other Turtlebox speakers. Has magnets for attaching it to things. Appears to be quite tough
Cons: Bass sounds kind of thuddy and isn’t as deep as higher ranked speakers. Overpriced. Heavy for the size, likely due to the toughness
Full Turtlebox Ranger review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.5” x 3.1” x 3.1” (241 x 80 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 2” (51mm) woofers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1089 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Bogasing M5
- Turtlebox Ranger vs JBL Charge 4
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Soundcore 3
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Sonos Play
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- See all 111 comparisons
JBL Charge 3: $80 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older model: the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. IPX7 rated; built-in noise/echo-cancelling speakerphone. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 3 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
- 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? More from alanrossreviews →
- 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? More from DLXWillington →
- EnforcerMan: JBL CHARGE 3 VS TREBLAB HD77 - FULL REVIEW
- Head-to-Head Comparisons