JBL Charge 3 review: specs and price
The JBL Charge 3 is a high-quality portable speaker with unique offerings, including an echo-canceling speakerphone, a built-in rechargeable 6000mAH battery, and the lowest frequency of 65Hz to allow for rich, deep bass sounds.
As one of the best portable speakers, the JBL Charge 3 allows users to not only enjoy amplified listening through JBL Connect (hook up other speakers for enhanced audio experiences), but also doubles as a pretty powerful power bank if you’re out and about and need to charge your phone mid-playlist.
The JBL Charge 3 differs when compared to other JBL portable speakers such as the JBL Flip 3 in the inclusion of voice command capabilities, more powerful audio output, and more durable design. The Charge 3 is rugged and dust- and water-resistant; you can even submerge it in water (hello, summer pool parties).
JBL Charge 3
Why is JBL Charge 3 better than the average?
- Volume?
1639.99 cm³vs4581.98 cm³ - Lowest frequency?
65 Hzvs72.87 Hz - Battery life?
20 hoursvs12.98 hours - Battery power?
6000 mAhvs2807.58 mAh - Number of microphones?
1vs0.77 - Weight?
800 gvs1.46kg - Height?
87 mmvs148.2 mm - Thickness?
88.5 mmvs97.92 mm
Which are the most popular comparisons?
Price comparison
2 Inch Full Range Speaker Bluetooth Speaker 53MM Bass Speaker For Charge 3 Repair Multimedia Home Audio f...2 Inch Full Range Speaker Bluetooth Speaker 53MM Bass Speaker For Charge 3 Repair Multimedia Home Audio for JBL Charge3
EVA Outdoor Loudspeaker Storage Bag Protective Case Protector Box For JBL Charge 4/Pulse 3 Bluetooth-comp...EVA Outdoor Loudspeaker Storage Bag Protective Case Protector Box For JBL Charge 4/Pulse 3 Bluetooth-compatible Audio Speaker
User reviews
Overall rating
Features
Build quality
8.8/10
5 votes
Sound quality
7.8/10
5 votes
Design
8.4/10
5 votes
Value for money
8.0/10
5 votes
Portability
8.2/10
5 votes
Design
The first number of the IP rating refers to protection against dust, while the second number refers to protection against liquid. E.g. a first number of 6 denotes that it is completely dustproof, and a second number of 7 denotes that the device can withstand full immersion in water.
volume
1639.99 cm³
Volume is the quantity of three-dimensional space enclosed by the product's chassis or, in simpler terms, the space the product occupies.
A speaker driver is an individual transducer that converts electrical energy to sound waves. More drivers may result in better sound quality.
driver unit size
45 mm
The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device. Bigger drivers are more powerful and can produce better bass.
has a neodymium magnet
✖JBL Charge 3
Devices with neodymium magnets are lighter and more powerful than those which use ferrite magnets. They also have more bass and clear high notes.
control panel placed on a device
✔JBL Charge 3
There is a control panel on the device body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to.
travel bag is included
✖JBL Charge 3
The device comes with its own special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation.
has a touch screen
✖JBL Charge 3
You can operate the device easily, by pressing the screen with your fingers.
is weather-sealed (splashproof)
✔JBL Charge 3
The device is protected with extra seals to prevent failures caused by dust, raindrops, and water splashes.
Sound quality
has stereo speakers
✔JBL Charge 3
Devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better experience.
has a subwoofer
✖JBL Charge 3
Devices with a subwoofer have a higher quality, deeper bass.
highest frequency
20000 Hz
The highest frequency at which device produces audio. The higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble.
lowest frequency
65 Hz
The lowest frequency at which the device produces audio. The lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass.
audio output power
2 x 10W
Audio output power is based on the number of speakers and their power in watts. High audio output power results in loud, clear sounds.
Has a passive radiator
✔JBL Charge 3
A passive radiator is a type of driver (speaker) that doesn't have a voice coil and a magnet. The sound vibrations produced by a passive radiator depend on its mass and the size of its enclosure. It is usually used in combination with a woofer to produce deep bass tones.
More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise.
has a noise-canceling microphone
✔JBL Charge 3
These microphones are designed to filter out background noise from the desired sound. Especially useful in noisy environments.
Signal-to-noise ratio is a measure that compares the level of a desired signal (meaningful information) to the level of background noise (unwanted signal), the bigger the less perceived noise.
Power
battery power
6000 mAh
Battery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. More battery power can be an indication of longer battery life.
Battery life
20 hours
The device's battery life (when in use) as given by the manufacturer. With a longer battery life you have to charge the device less often.
charge time
4 hours
The time it takes to fully charge the battery.
has a battery level indicator
✔JBL Charge 3
An indicator shows you when the device has low battery.
has a rechargeable battery
✔JBL Charge 3
The battery can be recharged and used over again.
has a removable battery
✖JBL Charge 3
The battery is removable and can be replaced by the user if broken.
has wireless charging
✖JBL Charge 3
It supports a wireless charging standard such as Qi. To charge the device, you simply put it down on a compatible charging pad.
operating power consumption
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
How much power the device consumes when it's switched on.
annual power consumption
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
The more power per year a device consumes, the less energy efficient it is, making it more costly over time.
Connectivity
Multipoint allows you to link to more Bluetooth devices and switch between them. For example you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
supports Bluetooth pairing using NFC
✖JBL Charge 3
Device supports fast Bluetooth pairing using NFC so it can communicate with other devices over Bluetooth. You can fastly pair devices without entering a code by simply holding one device next to the device with which it is to be paired.
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
✔JBL Charge 3
With a standard mini jack socket, you can use the device with most headphones.
has an AUX input
✔JBL Charge 3
An auxiliary input allows you to play other audio sources by connecting them through a simple audio connection like a 3.5mm jack, i.e for MP3 or portable DVD/CD player.
has aptX Lossless
✖JBL Charge 3
aptX Lossless is an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that is developed by Qualcomm. It supports high quality 16-bit/44.1kHz audio (at a maximum bit rate of 1200kbps). This codec provides CD-quality audio without any loss of data.
has LDAC
✖JBL Charge 3
LDAC is a codec developed by Sony for Bluetooth audio. It is capable of a very high bitrate of 990kbps, which provides high resolution audio. It can also automatically adjust to a lower bitrate of 330kbps or 660kbps to increase stability.
has aptX Adaptive
✖JBL Charge 3
aptx Adaptive is an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that is developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps), which means it can adjust the bit rate for different scenarios, such as listening to HD audio or reducing interference from other devices.
has aptX HD
✖JBL Charge 3
aptX HD is an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that is developed by Qualcomm. It supports high quality 24-bit audio (at a bit rate of 576kbps).
Features
Can be used wirelessly
✔JBL Charge 3
Wireless devices allow users more freedom of movement.
supports a remote smartphone
✔JBL Charge 3
This technology allows the users to use their smartphone as a remote control for the device.
has voice commands
✔JBL Charge 3
You can use your voice to control key functions of the device and you can easily access your device without pushing any button.
Has a radio
✖JBL Charge 3
A built-in FM radio tuner allows you to listen to most of the live-broadcasted FM radio stations without using the internet.
Has voice prompts
✖JBL Charge 3
With voice prompts, you will automatically receive information via audio messages – for instance, you may find out that the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the device.
has a mute function
✖JBL Charge 3
The device has an option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.
works as a power bank
✔JBL Charge 3
The power bank feature allows you to use the battery to charge other devices, such as your smartphone.
has a sleep timer
✖JBL Charge 3
A sleep timer is a function that shuts off the power after a preset amount of time.
internal storage
Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value.
The internal storage refers to the built-in storage space available in a device for system data, apps, and user-generated data. With a large amount of internal storage, you can save more files and apps on your device.
Price comparison
2 Inch Full Range Speaker Bluetooth Speaker 53MM Bass Speaker For Charge 3 Repair Multimedia Home Audio f...2 Inch Full Range Speaker Bluetooth Speaker 53MM Bass Speaker For Charge 3 Repair Multimedia Home Audio for JBL Charge3
EVA Outdoor Loudspeaker Storage Bag Protective Case Protector Box For JBL Charge 4/Pulse 3 Bluetooth-comp...EVA Outdoor Loudspeaker Storage Bag Protective Case Protector Box For JBL Charge 4/Pulse 3 Bluetooth-compatible Audio Speaker
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Comments
Stug7
1 year ago
1 / 10
The speaker is not worth this price
Stug7
1 year ago
1 / 10
Chemiker
1 year ago
10 / 10
Very Good Speaker
Chemiker
1 year ago
10 / 10
Pros
Cons
Алексей
2 years ago
10 / 10
Plays much better than Charge 4
Алексей
2 years ago
10 / 10
It plays much better than the Charge 4, slightly less bass, but the stereo dynamics make the sound rich and clear, plus it has a microphone and a standard micro USB for now.
Pros
Cons