Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party. It ranks #20 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $135.84 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 Party is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 10dB, against 63Hz for the JBL Charge 3. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge 3. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge 3 lacks. The tradeoff: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
The JBL Charge 3 is the lighter option. A waterproof speaker with long battery life, a speakerphone and a big battery that charges your phone. At 1.8 lbs (800 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Xiaomi Sound Party at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Xiaomi Sound Party lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Xiaomi Sound Party. The catch: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Charge 3 is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Close enough not to matter: maximum output (102 dB vs 100 dB).
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 Party | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $135.84 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #20 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL Connect) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.5” (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 20W RMS |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) | Micro USB |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Xiaomi Sound Party: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Oluv and Alan Ross.
- 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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