The technology behind audio equipment has gotten better and better in recent years, with new speakers and microphones progressing at an exponential rate, vastly outperforming older and more traditional alternatives in terms of sound quality, ease of use, connectivity, and general design.
Gone are the days of big, bulky speakers and endless clusters of cables; in the modern era, super powerful, wireless, portable Bluetooth speakers open up so many new opportunities for audio excitement, and JBL is one of the brands leading the way.
Founded back in 1946, JBL has always been at the forefront of audio equipment and technology, producing some of the most iconic speakers of the past and adapting with the changing times to maintain its status as an industry leader throughout the decades, right into the modern era.
Now, with wireless speakers like the JBL Charge 3 and Charge 4, this brand continues to stand out as one of the most trusted names when it comes to top quality stereo sound for a new generation. Useful in a wide range of situations and built to last, the Charge 3 and Charge 4 both have a lot to offer, but which one is best?
Many shoppers hesitate when it comes to the JBL Charge 3 and Charge 4. This side by side comparison guide will help you choose the right model for you, putting each speaker to the test and seeing which one is most worthy of your time and attention.
Table of Contents
How We Started
In order to provide a truly detailed, unbiased look at the JBL Charge 3 and Charge 4, we had to put these speakers to the test. We investigated each one closely, looking at a range of different aspects such as sound quality, size, weight, durability, design, unique features, and more.
We paid close attention to these key factors, focusing on the areas that matter the most to people when shopping for a new wireless speaker. Most people want to find a speaker with great sound quality, durable construction, and useful features, all at a fair price.
Both the JBL Charge 3 and Charge 4 aim to meet these needs, but each model has its pros and cons, doing better in certain aspects than the other, and even though the Charge 4 is the newer of the two models, the Charge 3 still has a lot to offer.
It’s important to note that your exact experiences with both the Charge 3 and Charge 4 may vary, depending on what kinds of music or audio files you plan to play on each speaker and the surrounding conditions when the speaker is in use, but our guide will give you all the information you need to learn about how each model is able to perform.
JBL Charge 3 is the ultimate, high-powered portable Bluetooth speaker with powerful stereo sound and a power bank all in one package. The Charge 3 takes the party everywhere, poolside or in the rain, thanks to the waterproof design, durable fabric and rugged housing. Its high-capacity 6,000mAh battery provides up to 20 hours of playtime and can charge your smartphones and tablets via its USB output.
→ Read: JBL Charge 4 review
Similarities and Differences
On the face of it, the JBL Charge 3 and Charge 4 have a whole lot in common. Right from the first glance, even though they have slightly different designs, we can see a lot of commonalities between the two speakers.
They’re both high quality, durable Bluetooth speakers with similar buttons and interfaces. Both offer USB outputs and 3.5mm stereo inputs, and both are completely waterproof, able to be fully submerged for up to 30 minutes at a time.
The Charge 3 and Charge 4 are of similar sizes and weights too, with comparable levels of sound quality and connectivity options.
However, as the Charge 3 was released in 2016 and the Charge 4 came out two years later, in 2018, it’s clear to see that a few new developments have been introduced on the Charge 4 and some of the Charge 3’s features were removed for the newer model.
The Charge 4 comes with upgraded Bluetooth technology, a bigger battery, and slightly enhanced sound quality too. The Charge 3, however, is able to boast of being more compact, lighter, and compatible with voice assistants.
Size and Weight
One of the first aspects to judge when it comes to wireless speakers is their general look, size, and weight.
Since these kinds of speakers are prized for their portability and often carried out by users, taken to parties, camping trips, or in cars, many people like to find the smallest and most lightweight models possible, without compromising on sound quality or connectivity.
The JBL Charge 3 measures up at 8.4 inches in length, 3.4 inches in height, and 3.5 inches in depth. It weights in at around 1.76 lbs.
The JBL Charge 4, on the other hand, measures up at 8.4 inches in length, 3.7 inches in height, and 3.6 inches in depth. It weighs in at 2.1 lbs.
Since the Charge 3 is more compact and more lightweight, it’s the clear winner in this category.
The added battery strength is probably the main contributor in increasing the size and weight of the Charge 4, and even though the differences between the two are fairly minimal, they can still matter a great deal in the eyes of many consumers.
If you want the lightest and smallest model possible, the Charge 3 is the one for you.
Unique Features
Many modern speakers are able to do much more than simply play music without the need for wires and cables; they come with a wide range of additional features, designed to expand on their functionality and give users new options to play around with.
JBL, as a brand is well-known for packing its products full of features, so it’s no surprise to see that the Charge series of wireless speakers, including the Charge 3 and Charge 4, come with some additional features to enhance user enjoyment.
Both the JBL Charge 3 and Charge 4 share some features. They’re both waterproof and can be submerged for half an hour without any issues, for example, and both of them offer seamless Bluetooth connectivity too. However, each model also has some additional unique features of its own to help it stand out.
The JBL Charge 3 has the benefit of being able to pair up with your phone’s voice assistant, like the Google Assistant or Siri, in order to use voice controls or answer calls.
This is a really interesting benefit, especially with more and more people making use of voice assistants in the modern era and controlling their phones with nothing but their voices.
In order to provide high levels of functionality for this voice assistant integration, the JBL Charge 3 also comes with a noise canceling microphone, designed to reduce background noise and focus on the sound of your voice, which is really useful in noisy locations when you’re at a party or out and about.
The JBL Charge 4, meanwhile, does not come with the same feature set as the previous generation. It can’t work with voice assistants. This can be seen as a negative for those who rely on voice assistants regularly, but for those who don’t really use Google Assistant or Siri, it probably won’t be considered to be much of an issue.
Fittingly, the Charge 4 has no speakerphone and can’t be used for answering calls either.
The Charge 4 does, however, come with JBL Connect+ by default. This is a new system from JBL that allows you to connect up to and over 100 other speakers together for parties and special events with ease.
The JBL Charge 3, meanwhile, can only be paired with a couple of other speakers by default, but can be upgraded to have JBL Connect+ capabilities too.
Aside from this, in terms of unique features, the Charge 4 is a little lacking. It does have a sleep timer, which will allow the device to shut down automatically after a set time has elapsed, in order to save on battery, but the main areas in which this device improves on the Charge 3 are in battery power and audio quality, rather than new fancy features.
JBL Charge 4 on SALE at JBL Through This Link
Sound Quality
One of the most important aspects of any speaker is its sound quality and audio performance. The whole purpose of a wireless speaker like the Charge 3 or Charge 4 is to play music to the highest possible levels of clarity and crispness, after all, so this is often the first aspect people consider when looking to buy a new speaker of their own.
Many shoppers hope to find a wireless speaker that can do justice to their favorite tunes, hitting the highs and the lows with impressive levels of clarity each time and delivering the best audio experience possible. JBL has long been considered a leader in this field, but how do the Charge 3 and Charge 4 measure up?
Well, the JBL Charge 3 offers very impressive sound quality. It features stereo speakers and comes with dual speaker drivers in order to offer the best levels of sound quality for the time in such a compact product.
It can hit high frequencies of 20,000 Hz and low frequencies of 65 Hz, giving it solid bass and impressive clarity. Overall, it’s a great speaker for animating small parties and get-togethers, and it can get exceptionally loud when you crank up the volume.
The JBL Charge 4, meanwhile, opts for a single driver system and 10W more audio output power, allowing it to deliver slightly louder and clearer sounds than the Charge 3. In terms of frequency, it can go 5 Hz lower than the Charge 3, resulting in better bass quality too.
When compared to the Charge 3 side by side, the Charge 4 has been proven to have clearer audio and crisper sounds throughout the average song. However, the difference is relatively small and may not be too discernible to the untrained ear.
Since the Charge 4 offers stronger audio quality, it wins this round.
ntroducing the JBL Charge 4 portable Bluetooth speaker with full-spectrum, powerful sound and a built-in power bank for charging your devices. A high-capacity 7500mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery provides up to 20 hours of playtime and the speaker carries a convenient USB charge out to quickly charge your devices so you will never run out of power again.
Battery Power and Run Time
When you’re using a wireless speaker, you have to think about its battery. The speaker relies on the battery as its primary power source, and some speakers come with much better batteries than others, allowing them to run for longer at high volumes. So, if you want your speaker to last all through the night, having a solid battery is essential.
Both the JBL Charge 3 and Charge 4 come with fully rechargeable, high-powered batteries, and each device also features a battery level indicator, showing you how much power is left at any given time.
The Charge 3 features a 6,000 mAh battery that can run for up to 20 hours on a single charge. The Charge 4, meanwhile, features a bigger capacity battery of 7,500 mAh, but it also can only run for about 20 hours per charge.
So even though the Charge 4 has a bigger battery, it’s not able to offer a longer run time than the Charge 3. However, the battery on the Charge 4 may last longer and extend the lifespan of your device, due to it being a stronger model.
Battery Charging Time
As well as looking at battery power and run time, you also have to consider the battery recharge time when considering which wireless speaker to buy. Some of these models are able to be charged up super speedily, while others will take quite a while to get back up to their maximum power levels.
With its 6,000 mAh battery, the Charge 3 needs about four hours to get fully charged up, in between uses.
The Charge 4, which features a larger 7,500 mAh battery, takes a little longer. To get this speaker up to 100% power, you’ll have to wait about 5.5 hours.
Overall then, the Charge 4 is slower to charge up than the Charge 3. So, if long charge times bother you and you don’t want to wait for hours on end for your device to be ready to use, you may want to opt for the Charge 3.
This can be a very important factor for people who use their speakers regularly, as that extra charge time might interfere with your party plans.
Connectivity
Connectivity is another key feature to analyze and assess when evaluating the overall quality and ease of use of any wireless speaker. Some models can offer a lot of connectivity options and easy connections with other devices, while others can be a little less user-friendly in terms of their connections.
JBL’s Charge series has been well-known for offering great connectivity options, and the Charge 3 and Charge 4 serve as excellent examples of this. Both of them offer seamless Bluetooth connections, naturally, and both come with AUX inputs, USB ports, and 3.5mm audio jack ports too. However, there are some differences.
The Charge 3 comes with the 4.1 version of Bluetooth and the ability to connect up to three devices simultaneously. Basically, this lets you and your friends connect three phones at once, giving you a wider selection of music to listen to. The Charge 3 makes use of a Micro USB-B cable for charging. This is an older standard of Micro USB, a little less durable and resistant when compared to the newer USB-C variant.
The Charge 4, meanwhile, comes with the upgraded 4.2 version of Bluetooth, along with the ability to connect up to two smartphones or devices simultaneously, so it’s a little less powerful in terms of simultaneous connections than the Charge 3.
On the plus side, the Charge 3 comes with a USB-C cable for charging. As mentioned earlier on, the Charge 4 also comes with Connect+ support integrated automatically, letting you connect dozens of speakers together at once.
Judging the winner in this category is a little difficult, as both speakers have their advantages. The Charge 3 has the edge in terms of letting three devices connect at once, but the Charge 4 comes with Connect+ integration, plus the stronger USB-C cable for charging.
JBL Charge 4 on SALE at JBL Through This Link
Design
Design is one of the first things you notice about any wireless speaker, and some models can be much more visually impressive than others, feeling stronger and more durable too. JBL makes some super tough products, and both the Charge 3 and Charge 4 are strong, water-resistant speakers that can withstand a knock.
The Charge 3, as mentioned earlier, is the smaller and lighter of the two devices, which makes it a little more portable. In terms of color options, the Charge 3 is available in a range of quite bright, bold color options too
The Charge 4 may be a little bigger and heavier, but it’s also got a more modern design and a bass radiator that really moves when you’re playing some loud, bass-heavy tracks, which is a neat aesthetic touch. It comes with more muted color options overall, which may be pleasing or displeasing to you, depending on your tastes.
Overall, design is something of a subjective feature, so opinions will vary. Some will prefer the more compact nature and brighter colors of the Charge 3, while others will favor the more modern design and radiator of the Charge 4.
Price
Price is another essential factor to think about when shopping for a wireless speaker, and this is another area where the Charge 3 and Charge 4 exhibit some differences that may influence your purchasing decision.
Since the Charge 4 is the newer model of the two, it naturally comes with a higher price tag. This can be justified by the bolder design, enhanced audio quality, and unique features such as JBL Connect+ integration.
Meanwhile, the Charge 3 can be purchased for significantly less than the Charge 4, and still has some advantages over its successor, including three simultaneous connections, faster charge times, and a more compact design overall.
Since the Charge 3 is the cheaper option of the two, it gets the nod from us in this round.
Who Should Get This?
JBL Charge 3 Speaker
Overall, the Charge 3, despite being a little older these days, remains one of the best wireless speakers on the market and one of JBL’s most impressive products of recent years. It can offer solid sound quality and a lot of great features that help it stand out in a crowded, competitive market.
The audio experience with the Charge 3 is perfectly sufficient in the vast majority of cases, and it can go toe to toe with many modern wireless speakers and still come out as the winner. It’s compact, portable, lightweight, and great for parties and travelers alike.
Naturally, as it’s gotten a bit older, the Charge 3’s shortcomings have become clearer to see and some modern speakers can do a little better in terms of audio quality, but it’s still more than good enough for the vast majority of users and situations. Plus, it’s even more affordable now than ever before.
JBL Charge 4 Speaker
The JBL Charge 4 builds on the solid foundation established with the Charge 3, but it’s a highly iterative product, making small and gradual changes here and there, rather than redefining what a wireless speaker can be.
In short, the Charge 4 doesn’t really shake things up a whole lot when compared to its predecessor. In fact, there are some areas in which it struggles to match the standards of the Charge 3. It’s bigger and heavier, for example, as well as having a longer recharge time.
JBL Charge 4 on SALE at JBL Through This Link
It does, however, improve the sound quality, which is arguably the most important factor around when it comes to speakers. The difference isn’t huge, but for people who really notice these things and care about having the best possible quality, the Charge 4 is the better option.
Our Pick
Both the Charge 3 and Charge 4 do a lot of things very well and stand out as two of the top wireless speakers on the market today. They offer solid, durable designs, impressive audio experiences, and pretty long run times too.
Our Pick: Charge 3
Overall, the Charge 3 is our winner, as the Charge 4 simply doesn’t do enough to justify its higher price tag.
JBL Charge 4 on SALE at JBL Through This Link
The Charge 3 more than matches its rival in terms of audio quality, run time, and battery power, with the added bonus of three simultaneous connections too.
JBL Charge 3 is the ultimate, high-powered portable Bluetooth speaker with powerful stereo sound and a power bank all in one package. The Charge 3 takes the party everywhere, poolside or in the rain, thanks to the waterproof design, durable fabric and rugged housing. Its high-capacity 6,000mAh battery provides up to 20 hours of playtime and can charge your smartphones and tablets via its USB output.
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