If you’re reading this guide, you probably already know that JBL is currently the king when it comes to wireless speakers, with both their Charge 3 and Flip 4 models being more than excellent.
It used to be that wireless speakers were a gamble to purchase, with only a small chance to score a jackpot that doesn’t sound downright horrible, with constant lag, varying levels of loudness, and so on.
However, wireless technology has come a long way, and there is no time like the present to own a wireless speaker.
Nevertheless, while both the JBL Charge 3 and the JBL Flip 4 were made by the same company, they are very distinct from one another, so make sure to read on if you want to know which one caters more to your needs.
Table of ContentsShow
Comparison Table
| JBL Charge 3 | JBL Flip 4 | |
| Size | 213 x 87 x 88.5 mm | 175 x 70 x 68 mm |
| Weight | 800g | 515g |
| Driver size | 45 mm | 40 mm |
| Frequency response | 65 – 20000Hz | 70 – 20000Hz |
| Rated power | 2x10W | 2x8W |
Design
These two speakers don’t look all that distinct at first glance, especially if you’re looking at separate pictures of them, as they share a lot of the same design beats. Most notably, they both have the same cylindrical exterior with the same button scheme. They’re both available in plenty of colors, with the Flip 4 holding the edge here with its nine color schemes to the six of the Charge 3.
However, if you compare them side by side, it becomes apparent that they’re very different.
First and foremost, the Charge 3 is noticeably bigger and bulkier than the Flip 4 and, of course, heavier too. This may not seem like a big deal, but it holds huge implications as to which profile of users each will cater to.
Durability
Seeing as these are both wireless speakers, one of the things you’re probably most curious about is how suitable they are for outdoor use. We’re happy to report that both of these speakers are more than capable of delivering a satisfying sound even outdoors.
There will be a whole segment dedicated to this, so now we’d like to highlight that both of these speakers were made to withstand the wear and tear of outdoor use.
Not only are they made from high-quality materials (mostly rubber), but they are also proud members of the IPX7 waterproof rating club. This means they can survive underwater for up to half an hour, so you definitely don’t need to worry about a little rain splashing on them when you’re out camping.
This also means you can wash them with water until they’re squeaky clean when they end up taking a bit of the outdoors with them. So if you’re looking for a wireless speaker that can endure the elements, rest assured that either of these two can weather the storm.
Portability
However, your decision will essentially boil down to how portable you need your speaker to be.
The Charge 3 is by no means unmanageable, but if you’re looking to take your music with you wherever you go, then you’ll certainly appreciate the lighter weight and more compact design of the Flip 4.
The Charge 3 is a speaker we can sooner see you taking to your backyard than when you’re going anywhere within walking distance. The Flip 4 is the better choice in this case since it can fit inside most pockets.
There is an argument to be made in favor of the Charge 3 for longer trips since its larger size means it can accommodate a much larger battery. The Flip 4 is no slouch when it comes to battery life, with an estimated 12 hours of juice in it at max charge.
However, as impressive as this is for a wireless solution, it’s still paltry next to the 20-hour battery life of the Charge 3. Moreover, the Charge 3 can be used as a power bank to charge other devices, hence its name.
Features
Of course, you need to pack your wireless speakers with plenty of useful features to have them stand out from the crowd, and since these two speakers are doing so well for themselves, you know they’re stacked.
Obviously, they both feature Bluetooth technologies. The Flip 4 technically holds the edge here, with Bluetooth 4.2 (the Charge 3 uses Bluetooth 4.1), but this actually doesn’t impact sound quality in any noticeable way.
What’s more important, however, is that they both feature wireless Bluetooth streaming from multiple phones and tablets, and here the Charge 3 holds the lead, with its ability to pair up with up to three devices to the two of the Flip 4.
Additionally, they both have the JBL Connect technology, so if you’ve got a couple of spare JBL speakers, you can connect them together for a better sound. The only downside here is that the Flip 4, being the newer model, only supports the revised Connect + technology, which unfortunately isn’t backward compatible.
They both have built-in microphones, which are actually better than you’d expect; a bit too good, considering they’ll mostly be used to give commands to Siri and the unimaginatively named Assistant from Google.
Still, we’re not going to complain about getting a good deal, and if you like the idea of taking calls with your wireless speaker, you’ll certainly appreciate this feature.
Finally, if you want a fully portable stereo speaker system, you can buy either two Charge 3s or two Flip 4s and pair them up through the app for a truly impressive wireless speaker configuration (you cannot pair one Charge 3 with one Flip 4).
Sound
Comparing these two in terms of their sound is where things get really interesting.
We’d like to preface this by saying that they both sound great. However, despite being made by the same company, the Charge 3 and the Flip 4 both offer distinct sounds, so we can’t really speak of either being better. Preference alone has the power to pass that judgment. We’re instead going to list all the points where each device excels.
Both devices have a powerful, thumping bass, although the Charge 3 is noticeably stronger here, thanks to its size.
However, the mid-range and high-end frequencies are where the major differences start to kick in. The Charge boasts an excellent mid-range with a slightly weaker top-end than the Flip 4 and vice-versa.
If we had to recommend one, we’d go with the Charge 3, just because its frequency response makes more sense in the context of the average user.
Still, while the Flip 4 may lack some richness in the bass and mid frequencies, it’s not only a better choice for those with more demanding treble requirements but also ideal if you’re looking for the most portable device you can get.
Plus, while it isn’t as loud as the Charge 3, it’s still surprisingly loud for its size and can handle high volumes with very little distortion.
Conclusion
So the good thing is you can’t really go wrong either way. Yes, the Charge 3 and the Flip 4 attract different audiences, but they’re both great choices for loud wireless speakers that you can carry with you wherever you go.
All things considered, however, we have to recommend the Charge 3 over the Flip 4. It’s a bit more expensive, but the margin between the two isn’t nearly as large as it had been before the release of the Charge 4.
So, unless you really want a speaker with a brighter sound or one that’s as compact as possible, you’ll find that the Charge 3 offers more bang for your buck, with more powerful bass and better battery life, among other things.
Also, if you’re wondering whether there’s any reason to buy the Charge 4 rather than the Charge 3, we’ll spare you the trouble – there isn’t!
The Charge 4 does sound marginally better and has an even better battery, but it has fewer features, with both the microphone and voice assistant support gone, for example.
