Music is a very important aspect of anyone’s life – regardless of how you put it. I, for instance, don’t remember a day in the past decade when I haven’t listened to at least a few songs during the day. More importantly, music can be the heat of a party, it can help you get in the mood or it can even lighten up your day. This is why I strongly believe in having a good sound outlet around – just in case. What I really love about the past few years in the music industry are the portable speakers for example. These small and compact speakers are a great thing to have. Whether you did plan a picnic with your friends, after-hours at work or simply you want to be able to listen to music at any time – a portable speaker will come in quite handy.
Although there are a lot of portable speakers on the market, you should be very careful when you choose your own. Today I’ll be reviewing the two most amazing ones I’ve came across in the past few months. Both the JBL Flip 4 and the Charge 3 are great speakers and have their own value. Similar quality and price range with the comparison between UE Megablast vs Megaboom. Still, how you know whether the JBL Flip 4 or the Charge 3 is the right one for you? Well, let’s find out together.
Style & Design
JBL as a brand has been manufacturing a lot of different portable speakers for different types of music listeners. However, it is an undisputable fact that some of their best ones are in fact, the JBL Charge 3 and the JBL Flip 4. Still, aside from the fact that they come from the same manufacturer, they share only a handful of the features. Even the design and the style are significantly different from one to the other model. Although they produce great sound, you can easily see the differences in their style and their design. They look nice and have a similar shape, however the Charge 3 is somewhat larger than the Flip 4.
I should also mention that the JBL Charge 3 portable speaker can be found in a wide range of 6 different colors. On the surface of the unit, you can find the control buttons. It has a very functional design with the power, volume, play and pause buttons on the unit. This unit is also designed for a horizontal setup. So, when you put it in its place, you’ll see that on the bottom of the unit are the status lights for the battery. In addition to this, I really loved the sleek overall design of the Charge 3.
The JBL Flip 4 on the other hand also has the same control buttons, but their position is not the same. As I said before, the Flip 4 is significantly smaller than the Charge 3. It also has a rubber foot which makes it a bit more convenient to use.
All in all, both of these speakers are very functional, compact, and perform nicely. They even have an IPX7 waterproof rating. This means that you can submerge them into 1 meter of water for half an hour.
Sound Quality
Although style and design should be taken into consideration, the performance of the speakers is the most important thing to look for. I was really happy to find out that both of these speakers offer tremendously nice sound quality. However, they don’t produce the same sound.
The similarities between these two speakers include the directional performance. They simply have both back and front speakers. They aren’t omnidirectional, but they do the job nicely.
Since the JBL Charge 3 is larger than the Flip 4, it offers a louder sound which is more powerful. It is a great option for a well-rounded unit as it has greater bass response too. I liked the fact that the Charge 3 also offers nice well-tuned midrange. Although there isn’t a lot of detail in the high-end, it still offers a decent high-end response.
The Flip 4 on the other hand also offers a reasonable sound quality. Especially for such a compact portable speaker. The audio isn’t easily distorted and it has a nice, pumping bass response. The sound is somewhat rich and suitable for various genres of music.
All in all, both of these speakers have a nice sound quality. After all, they come from a reliable manufacturer like JBL. Still, if you are looking for a nice, well-rounded portable speaker, the Charge 3 is the choice for you. On the other hand, if you want to get a compact, well-performing speaker that will do the job – the Flip 4 is your choice.
JBL Flip 4 vs Charge 3 – Most Important Features
Unlike other models that are splash proof- these two are simply amazing for hanging out around the pool. Both of them can be submerged under water for up to 30 minutes. Asides from a thing to show off in front of your friends, this also proves the overall quality of the speakers.
On another note, both the Charge 3 and the Flip 4 are built of high quality materials. The manufacturer used durable fabric materials and rubber enclosures. This keeps the water and other residue outside of the hardware of the units. Also, it keeps the inside of the speaker well-protected. The same goes for carrying either of them around on a rainy day.
Asides from this, I really loved that both of the units feature JBL Connect. This one allows multiple speakers to link to one another and play at the same time. Still, the Flip 4 has the updated Connect+. This one allows you to sync up to 100 speakers, and only syncs with other Connect+ units. It is a great feature to have for larger pool parties.
Talking about their battery, I couldn’t help but notice that the Charge 3 has a significantly better one. Naturally, it has a larger battery, but it can run for about 20 hours and charges for about 4 and a half hours. The Flip 4’s battery has a 12 hour run time and recharges for 3 and a half hours. Both of these performances aren’t low, but the Charge 3 definitely has a superior battery.
Verdict – JBL Flip 4 vs Charge 3: Which One Is the Right One for You?
It is undisputable that both of these JBL portable speakers – the Charge 3 and the Flip 4 have a lot to offer.
Still, I’d recommend the Charge 3 for those who want to invest properly in a portable speaker that has a lot of cool features. As a submersible, incredibly powerful and durable unit, the Charge will never disappoint you. It has a longer battery life and a slightly better battery performance too. On the other hand, the JBL Flip 4 is the perfect choice for those who like simple things and don’t want to overthink on such decisions. It is a simple, compact and lightweight speaker that serves its purpose.
So, JBL Flip 4 VS Charge 3, what do you think? JBL Flip 4 or JBL Charge 3? Follow this link to Amazon and find more details, latest prices and reviews.
