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 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 Xiaomi Sound Party is the better-sounding, louder option. A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 102dB at full volume, against 99dB for the JBL Charge 4. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge 4. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge 4 lacks. Watch for: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
The JBL Charge 4 is the lighter choice. A rugged waterproof speaker that floats, charges your phone, lasts a long time per charge and links with other JBL speakers. At 2.1 lbs (960 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. The catch: 1 Oval driver.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Charge 4 is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Measured Differences
- Output: the Xiaomi Sound Party was measured at 102 dB maximum against 99 dB for the JBL Charge 4, so it gets somewhat louder before it runs out of headroom.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Sound Party | JBL Charge 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $135.84 | $119.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #20 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | 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 | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 30W RMS |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) | USB-C |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 330ms |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Xiaomi Sound Party: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Oluv and Alan Ross.
- 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.
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