Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party. It ranks #20 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $135.84; the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE ranks #42, rated 3.7/5, and costs $199.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Xiaomi Sound Party is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. The tradeoff: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
The JBL Charge Essential 3 SE is the lighter choice. A fully waterproof speaker with plenty of volume and bass, long battery life, a phone charging port, app EQ and Auracast pairing. At 2.1 lbs (960 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Xiaomi Sound Party at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Xiaomi Sound Party lacks. The catch: In side-by-side listening against the JBL Charge 6, its bass is weaker and less stable and distorts on bass-heavy tracks even with the bass turned down in the app, while a narrow boost in the upper mids makes it sound less natural.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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 Essential 3 SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $135.84 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #20 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Auracast) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters | 52mm x 90mm racetrack woofer, 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) | USB-C (5V/3A) |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Xiaomi Sound Party: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Oluv and Alan Ross.
- JBL Charge Essential 3 SE: reviews by Mateusz Cholewa.
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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