JBL Charge 3 vs. JBL Charge 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker: A Comparative Review
Are you looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker? You came to the right place! The JBL Charge 3 and JBL Charge 4 are known for their sound performance, utility, and design. But each has slight differences that make them unique.
We have the answers for the jbl charge 3 vs charge 4 debate. In this post, we’ll explain both products and analyze their differences. By the end, we’ll choose a clear winner. Keep reading to find out!
Just like the Charge 3, the Charge 4 has an IPX7 waterproofing feature. It gives the speaker 30 minutes of protection when submerged in water. It is well protected against knocks and bumps, with a durable fabric covering the rubber bumpers on the passive radiators and the exterior.
While the JBL 3 hasn’t been drop tested, the rubberized components prevent it from becoming fragile. The fabric face can withstand a round or two in the dirt or in the park. Since both are equal at protecting the speaker, there’s no clear winner on this one.
Winner: Tie
Charging Ports
One key difference between jbl charge 3 vs charge 4 lies in their charging ports. The Charge 3 has a USB-A port, which can be connected to 2 devices.
On the other hand, the Charge 4 uses a USB-C port which has a faster data transfer rate than the USB-A. Thus, making it the winner in terms of charging power.
Battery Power
The Charge 3 has a 6000 mAh battery, while the Charge 4’s sports a 7500mA battery power.
Even though the Charge 4 is higher, they are both equal in terms of battery life. Both devices can last for up to 20 hours before needing to be recharged.
Winner: Tie
Voice Assistant Support
Owners of the Charge 4 will be disappointed with its lack of voice assistant support. The Charge 3 has this feature enabled, which allows the user to send phone calls out of the speaker.
Thus, the Charge 3 is the clear victor in this aspect.
Winner: JBL Charge 3
Sound Performance
The sound performance is the most significant difference between these two speakers. For example, the Charge 3 uses two drivers to create a stereo sound. Meanwhile, the Charge 4 provides a mono experience with a single driver.
Changing to a mono channel doesn’t interfere with the overall sound experience. The mid-range sounds, which appear to be flat on the Charge 3, are reproduced with more detail, clarity, and an added kick to the bass.
Another difference lies in their power wattage. The Charge 3 has a 20W while the Charge 4 has a 30W of power. This gives the latter more power once the music is played, resulting in a louder and vibrant sound.
The audio is balanced, and the Charge 4 produces a striking amount of clear sound. Place the speaker in your living room, increase the volume, and you’ll notice how the Charge 4 is capable of taking space.
Similar to the Charge 3, the Charge 4 works with higher volumes and gives off no distortions as you push the speaker to its limits. However, the Charge 4 wins in this section because of its increased power wattage.
Winner: JBL Charge 4
Multi-speaker Pairing
The Charge 4 wins by a longshot, thanks to its JBL Connect+ feature. To explain, JBL Connect+ and JBL Connect are two communication platforms between two speakers. Since the Charge 3 is the earlier model, you can connect up to two devices at a time.
JBL Connect+ allows the Charge 4 to connect with over 100 JBL devices in the same protocol. This gives it a clear advantage over its predecessor, as it’s designed for improved connectivity and speaker pairing.
Winner: JBL Charge 4
Bluetooth Functionality
The Charge 4 has Bluetooth 4.2, while the Charge 3 has Bluetooth 4.1.
What’s the difference? The Bluetooth 4.2 has more speed and privacy than the 4.1. Bluetooth 4.2 is 250% faster and has ten times the pocket size capability.
Winner: JBL Charge 4
Weight
Portable speakers with higher weight are less likely to break when dropped. The Charge 4 has more weight in comparison to its predecessor. It weighs 960g, while the Charge 3 weighs in at 800g.
The added weight enhances its durability and provides added stability when in use.
The JBL Charge is a prominent speaker with its 13 x 87 x 88.5 mm dimension. At this size, this speaker will fit comfortably in your purse or backpack. Since it weighs 1.76 pounds, it is heavier than other speakers.
Are you playing music with a group of friends? No problem! The JBL Charge 3 allows you to connect 3 tablets or smartphones wirelessly. This is a fun speaker for parties since multiple people can rotate and make fun music playlists.
The JBL Charge 3 makes the best out of its size by having a strong low end. The sound is more powerful than some audio aficionados would like, but it is great when it’s played outside. Poolside events and outdoor gatherings go well with this speaker because of its loudness and sound quality.
Speaking of poolside events, the Charge 3 has an IPX7 waterproofing feature. This means that you can submerge the speaker in water for 30 minutes. While this speaker will survive a drop in the pool, it’s best not to leave it there for extended periods of time.
You can include visuals to your music with the Charge 3. It includes passive radiators that create a visual element to the music playing. On bass-heavy tracks, the radiators will vibrate. Thus, this speaker can enhance the aesthetic value and vibes of your environment.
For those in need of a speaker with reliable battery power, the JBL Charge 3 is a good option. There is a built-in Li-ion battery that runs for 20 hours. A USB charger is included to charge the smartphones and tablets.
Additionally, there are an array of controls that offer buttons for volume control, power, play/pause. And it features a JBL Connect functionally, which pairs two speakers to one sound source. Thus, giving you a user-friendly design while connecting to speakers within your area.
Bluetooth fans will appreciate its wireless Bluetooth streaming features. You can connect the speaker to other JBL enabled speakers to widen the soundstage and amplify the sound. Despite its hefty size, this speaker can double as a charging station, allowing your devices to stay on when your favorite playlist is on.
The JBL Charge 4 is the successor of the Charge 3. It features two JBL bass radiators and a proprietary-developed driver that uses deep bass to intensify sounds. It features a USB-C charging port and acts as a power bank for your smartphone or tablet.
There is no handle or strap-like you would see in previous models, but it’s not necessary. The Charge 4 can be easily carried in one hand, easy to pick up, and can travel in a bag. In fact, this speaker bundle includes a portable hard case, making it convenient for travel!
The highs are present, but they sound drawn out. In addition, the mid sounds are easy to identify and sound clear. The best music to listen to with this device is Country, Rock, EDM, and R&B. Other genres of music will benefit from a speaker that has a better high-end.
While it still has the cylindrical shape as its predecessor, the Charge 4 is larger with increased dimensions across the board. With a dimension size of 12.5 x 11.2 x 7.7 inches, it produces high-end sound without affecting its portability.
In regards to sound performance, the Charge 4 is powerful for its size. It delivers a strong bass sound with the help of its dual passive radiators at work. As a result, you’ll get a full range of sound once the speaker turns on.
With a 7800 mAh battery, this speaker provides up to 20 hours of music. Amplify your audio experience by connecting up to 100 wireless JBL Connect+ Speakers. Also, the Charge 4 uses rugged material, and durable fabric allows the speaker to withstand all of your music sessions!
Consider getting the Charge 4 if you want a mono speaker with power. It has a 4.2 Bluetooth rating, making it easy for wireless connection. Thus, it is a good choice if you want high-quality speakers in your room or when you’re with your friends.
FAQs
Should I Be Concerned About Battery Size?
The battery size of your wireless speaker plays an important role. Like every electronic device, Bluetooth speakers need the power to operate. However, the mAh capacity of your battery is not enough to make a final decision.
The battery power relates to the speaker’s power demand. That’s why you must consider the total playing time instead of the battery. Since both the Charge 3 and the Charge 4 have 20 hours of battery life, you’ll have enough playing time for the day. You can still charge the device while it’s working, so you’ll have enough battery power to last.
Why is the Speaker Wattage Important?
The wattage of your Bluetooth speakers determines the overall playing time and sound output. For example, lower-end Bluetooth speakers have a lower wattage because they have a single speaker.
You’ll have twin-channel speakers or a 2.1 sound with a subwoofer as you go up the price range. Here’s a rule of thumb: the larger the speaker size and wattage, the more volume the speaker delivers. If you plan on hosting a party at home, go for a speaker with higher wattage.
How Are Bluetooth Codecs Related to My Speaker?
Bluetooth codecs are used to determine how the Bluetooth media is transmitted from the smartphone to the speaker. You should look for high-quality Bluetooth codecs because they have better audio quality and faster streaming rates.
While every Bluetooth speaker supports SBC, not all speakers will support the same codec menu. The SBC codec has come a long way since its creation. It’s easy for Bluetooth devices to encode and doesn’t take up a lot of power.
Frequency responses tend to range from 20Hz-200kHz because that is the lower and upper limit of human hearing. Just because a speaker can reproduce the frequencies doesn’t mean it’s 100% accurate. Like headphones, speakers are configured and tuned differently.
When looking for a jbl charge v charge 4 speaker, check out its sub-bass attenuation. This means that the low notes don’t sound as loud as their true sound on the respective speaker. Some speakers have this problem because the driver units are able to push air fast enough to handle the sub-bass frequencies.
Most companies have passive bass radiators that use air pressure in the speaker housing. Portable Bluetooth speaker manufacturers like this technology because it’s space-efficient, energy-efficient, and can be used to amplify bass notes.
What does the IPX Waterproof Rating Mean?
Most Bluetooth speakers have an IPX rating to show what they can and can’t be exposed to. It also determines how long the speaker will last in the water.
An IPX0 rating offers no water resistance, while an IPX8 rating can be submerged in water up to one meter. Naturally, the speaker you choose will depend on your individual preferences and whether it can be fully submerged into water.
Conclusion
The JBL charge three vs charge 4 are both high-quality portable speakers. Pick the Charge 3 if you want versatility. Select the Charge 4 if you want better sound performance. That being said, the JBL Charge 4 is the winner.
However, the Charge 4 wins due to its sound quality, Bluetooth functionality, weight, and multi-speaker pairing. It has a modern design and is powerful to be played in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Also, this speaker is useful for your home, recording studio, or if you’re playing music with friends. Regardless of what speaker you choose, you’ll have a device that creates resonant sounds.
Is a musician and journalist with over 13 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands. Ray loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar gear and synths, to microphones and music production hardware.
