Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor. It ranks #46 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) 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 Xiaomi Sound Outdoor is the better-sounding, lighter pick. An affordable waterproof outdoor speaker with a separate tweeter, decent battery life and linking to many more speakers. At 1.3 lbs (597 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge 3 at 1.8 lbs (800 g). It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: Bass reach is limited for the cabinet size, with a rated lower limit of 60Hz, and the boosted bass gets somewhat uncontrolled at high levels.
The JBL Charge 3 is the longer-running pick. A waterproof speaker with long battery life, a speakerphone and a big battery that charges your phone. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor. Watch for: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Charge 3 is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Sound Outdoor | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #46 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Speakersync, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (597 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 7.7” x 2.7” x 2.6” (196.6 x 68 x 66 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | 20W woofer, 10W tweeter + 2x passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 20W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor: reviews by Oluv, Mateusz Cholewa and Techder Audios.
- 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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