It’s difficult to say no to one of the best portable JBL speakers when there’s such a large selection. However, we’ve got you covered; we’ve got the appropriate mix of knowledge and experience in the speaker business, and we’ll help you find the best JBL speakers.
A well-known brand, such as JBL speakers, ensure that all items are of the highest quality, but constraints such as desired features, aesthetics, sound quality, and the price will only exacerbate your battle. As a result, there is a Purchase Guide to read before. We understand your demands and requirements, which is why we created this review to assist you in finding the best JBL speakers.
Top 5 Best JBL Portable Speakers
- JBL Charge 4 Speaker
- JBL Xtreme 2 Bluetooth Speaker
- JBL Charge 3 Mini Speaker
- JBL Pulse 3 Portable Speaker
- JBL Boombox 2 Budget Speaker
JBL speakers provide many features and benefits, but the most significant characteristic is the product’s endurance. It’s critical to check ahead of time that the good JBL portable speaker is the weather, water, and naturally resistant. It should be simple to transport and utilize so that you can get the most out of it.
Furthermore, the speaker should be constructed to provide panache in all of the characteristics you desire. They should be the best JBL speakers of all time. With that being said, let’s evaluate some of the best JBL speakers ever made.
1) JBL Charge 4 Speaker Under $2000
Specifications | Tested Values |
---|---|
Product dimension | 3.5×8.5×3.4 inches |
Power | 30W |
Bluetooth | 4.2 |
Battery | 1 Lithium polymer battery |
Frequency | 60Hz-20kHz |
Music playing time | 20 hrs. |
Battery Capacity | 7500 mAH |
- Bluetooth streaming allows you to connect your gadgets wirelessly.
- Up to 20 hours of gameplay
- 7500mAH built-in battery
- USB port for charging
- Waterproof to IP7
- Rugged material and a long-lasting fabric
- Two passive radiators amplify the sound
First and foremost, the Charge 4 is perhaps the best JBL speaker ever made in the entire series of wireless JBL speakers for the best price. It provides good sound quality, long battery life, and many other features that make life easier.
For example, IPX7 waterproofing, USB-C charging, and the ability to charge your phone via the speaker’s battery make this great.
Water Proof and Dust Proof
The JBL Charge 4, which measures 3.7 by 8.6 by 3.7 inches (HWD) and weighs 2.1 pounds, comes in a variety of colors—ten in total, including mustard yellow and teal, and more traditional black, red models. The speaker has an IPX7 rating, which means it is entirely waterproof and dust-proof to an undetermined degree.
The Charge 4 can be immersed for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter. Due to its size, the speaker is easy to use and is the best JBL speaker for cars, as well as the best JBL speaker for home
Large Woofer
Even at maximum level, the Charge 4’s audio does not disappoint, providing powerful deep bass response cleanly and clearly (the speaker can get quite loud for its size). The Charge 4 appears to have a larger woofer than it does—maybe not a subwoofer, but certainly a capable low-frequency speaker.
The highs have been sculpted and boosted to match and balance the lows. Thus this isn’t a speaker for purists due to the sculpting, inspiring, and mono delivery.
Dual Passive Radiators
The JBL Charge 4 is also a winner in terms of durability, as the speaker’s waterproofing has been increased. The IPX7 rating, if dropped in water, it floats for a time, so you don’t have to worry about losing it if it falls off a boat or a deck. Like most modern JBL speakers in recent years, these have dual passive radiators on both ends.
Solid Connection
The playback controls are lovely, and the buttons are comfortable and soft; however, I wish the buttons were white plastic or fully illuminated, as it’s difficult to tell which one is in the dark. The Charge 4 also lacks a built-in microphone.
USB Charging Port
Even though the JBL Charge 4 has a much larger battery than the Charge 3, both headphones are advertised to have a 20-hour continuous listening time. We were able to get Charge 4 to play music for a total of 13 hours and 46 minutes throughout our testing. It didn’t last nearly as long as the stated 20 hours, but it wasn’t bad either.
However, if you use the USB-An output on the back to charge your devices, this will suffer. A 3.5mm jack and a USB Type-C connector are on the rear, although the Type-C can only be used for charging.
Buying Decision
At this pricing, the Charge 4 sounds excellent for a mono speaker. It has a robust structure that is waterproof and, despite its power, is not overly large.
Other speakers are more powerful than the Charge 4, but they cost twice as much. The Charge 4 is a fantastic value for the size and price. It is the best JBL speaker for cars of all time.
Read It: JBL Xtreme 3 Review
2) JBL Xtreme 2 Bluetooth Speaker Under $3000
Specifications | Descriptive Values |
---|---|
Product Dimension | 7.9×12.1×18.1 |
Bluetooth version | 4.2 |
Dynamic frequency | 55Hz-20kHz |
Output power | 2×20W |
Max. Music playing hours | 15 |
Battery | 1 Lithium-ion battery |
Charging Time | 3.5 hrs |
Bluetooth frequency | 2.402-2.480 GHz |
- 15 hours of playback through Bluetooth wireless streaming
- Waterproof to the IPX7 standard
- Material that is tough and durable
- 3.5-millimetre stereo connector type
- Battery-powered power supply
If you want a small, inexpensive speaker to throw in your backpack on your next trip, there are many options. If you wish to connect speakers to your receiver and listen to music in the backyard, there are plenty of options.
But what if you only want one speaker to do it all? Your options are limited if you want a loudspeaker for a yard but are still portable.
Dual Passive Radiators
The JBL Xtreme 2 makes it clear what kind of speaker it is at first glance. This monster is massive, heavy, and unwieldy, and it’s built to last. However, it has the same durable fabric covering and dual passive radiators on each end, making it IPX7 waterproof.
Passive radiators improve the lower end by moving more air, but they’re also a lot of fun to look at, especially when wet.
Metal Loops and Shoulder Strap
When it came to size, JBL didn’t hold back with the Xtreme 2. This item is massive, weighing in about 2.4kg and being enormous. So, how is this monstrosity transportable? JBL also included a shoulder strap in the box and two metal loops on the top of the speaker.
So, if you want to take it to the beach, you don’t have to waste valuable arm space and can sling it over your shoulder. Though I would admit that this isn’t the most pleasant option, it is practical.
A nice little feature worth highlighting is that the strap has a metal adjusting component that serves as a bottle opener for when you need to crack one open.
Waterproof
The IPX7 fabric covering on the Xtreme 2 ensures that it is entirely waterproof. However, it’s important to note that this does not imply that it can float to the bottom of a pool and survive. There are still some limitations.
A product must withstand being submerged in up to one meter of water for at least 30 minutes to be called waterproof. The JBL Xtreme 2 satisfies this requirement.
Deep Bass Effect
The Xtreme 2 delivers strong low-frequency depth on tracks with a lot of sub-bass material. The DSP (digital signal processing) kicks in at high volume levels and prevents distortion by thinning out the bass a little—it doesn’t sound brittle, but it’s a less robust bass depth than you’d hear at, say, 75% volume.
The Xtreme 3, JBL Flip 4 and JBL Flip 5 can get rather loud, so it’s still compelling, and the passive radiators add some tangible vibratory thump to the proceedings. The speaker does not disappoint on other tracks with low bass.
15hrs Playback Time
You’d think that a large speaker like this would have a long battery life, but JBL promises just roughly 15 hours of continuous playback, and that’s without charging any devices via the USB port beneath the waterproof flap.
We were able to get 19 hours and 57 minutes of continuous playing at 75dB(SPL), which is more than enough for a day at the beach, which makes it to the top 10 best JBL speakers list.
Buying Decision
JBL’s renowned side-loaded passive radiators are featured on this portable boombox speaker. It screams “huge bass” from every pore, but the sound is significantly more measured and nuanced.
The bass is heavy, but it’s well-controlled and balanced, with clear mids and crisp treble. The JBL Xtreme 2 is an excellent buy if you don’t need features like smart assistant compatibility or multi-room audio.
3) JBL Charge 3 Mini Speaker
Charge 3 Specifications | Best Values |
---|---|
Product dimension | 9.1×3.5×3.5 inches |
Batteries | 1 LR44 battery required |
Power | 2 |
Battery Capacity | 6000 mAH |
Bluetooth version | 4.1 |
- 6000mAH Wireless Bluetooth streaming power bank
- Bluetooth speakerphone that can connect up to three devices
- 20 hours of playtime (varies by volume level and content)
- Waterproof to IPX7
- Noise and echo-cancelling speakerphone
- Build your ecosystem by connecting JBL Connect
JBL is one of the most well-known audio brands among regular people, but its goods are deserving of praise. JBL offers very reasonably, high-value devices with decent sound quality, whether you’re looking for headphones or speakers.
The majority of its speakers are water-resistant, and several of them can even tolerate a swim. Another water-resistant B is the JBL Charge 3, and it is the best budget JBL speaker.
Exposed Bass Radiators
The previous Charge 2 was splash-proof, but the Charge 3 takes it a step further. This type is IPX7 waterproof, which means it may be entirely submerged in water.
The speaker’s design is comparable to that of several other JBL speakers. It’s cylindrical, with exposed bass radiators on both ends, so it can definitely blast out some sound.
The same set of buttons found on all JBL speakers can be found on the top. They’re constructed of soft plastic, and they’re raised slightly over the speaker. The power and JBL Connect buttons, which are flush with the speaker, are the only buttons that aren’t raised.
Overt Logo
The cloth not only protects the speaker but also allows you to get a firm grip on it. Because the speaker is waterproof, this can be useful when it gets wet.
The only place you’ll see the JBL branding is on the front of the speaker. I’m not usually a fan of overt logos, but this one isn’t too horrible because it’s nice and small.
30 Feet Range
If the build quality is nice, the connection on this speaker is fantastic. We were able to achieve a solid connection up to about 50 or 60 feet without any walls.
When you put a few barriers in the way, the range drops to 30 feet, but it’s still very strong and doesn’t skip. There aren’t many options for playback controls here. You may pause and play music, adjust the volume, and skip tracks.
Longer Battery
The battery life is rated at 20 hours, and we got close to that during testing. However, keep in mind that charging your devices will likely cut that time in half.
The charging input is located behind the flap on the rear, so it should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. While charging the speaker, try to keep it away from water because the only seal will be exposed.
Robust Low End
Although it has a 3.5mm input, I conducted all of my testings’s wirelessly using mobile phones, as I believe this is how most people will use this speaker. With a robust low end, the Charge 3 makes effective use of its dimensions. It’s a little more powerful than some audiophiles will appreciate, but I found it to be ideal for taking outside.
Buying Decision
The Charge 3 continues to offer excellent value for money. While it lacks newer capabilities such as USB-C charging, the Charge 3 has the same IPX7 protection and sound quality as the Charge 4. Furthermore, the Charge 3 is frequently available for a lesser price.
4) JBL Pulse 3 Portable Outdoor Speaker
Specifications | Featured Values |
---|---|
Product dimension | 8.8×3.7×3.7 |
Battery Capacity | 6000 m AH |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Metal |
Charging time | 6.5 hrs |
Power | 20 W |
Music playing time | 12 hrs |
Bluetooth version | 4.2 |
- Portable, weatherproof Bluetooth speaker
- 360-degree sound and 360-degree light show
- Built-in rechargeable battery with a playtime of up to 12 hours
- Housing is waterproof to IPX7 standards
- JBL connect+ Technology
- Speakerphone with noise and echo cancellation
- Create your light sequences and alter your settings with ease
The JBL Pulse 3 can provide music and atmosphere to your next gathering. Its customizable light shows respond to your music and display a vibrant array of colors on all sides of the gadget.
Choose a theme in the JBL app or start from the beginning to build your own lighting sequence, and you’ll have a centerpiece for your room in no time.
You can also use the PartyBoost feature to link it to another JBL speaker for stereo sound (or twice the light show, if you happen to have a second Pulse 3). Even when the music is turned off, this speaker can be used as a colorful mood lamp, making it an actual two-in-one device.
Psychedelic Light Patterns
The Pulse 3 is a plastic lantern with colorful light patterns that twirl around. Only the two passive radiators on either side of the drivers are near the bottom of the cylinders.
The changes from the previous model aren’t just ornamental. With an IPX7 rating, the Pulse 3 is now entirely waterproof, which is excellent considering the Pulse 2 was only splash-proof before it.
You won’t have to worry about dropping the Pulse 3 in the pool anymore, which is impressive because poolside or next to a hot tub is one of the applications I think it’ll shine in.
A 3.5mm input and a micro-USB input are the only ports on the speaker hidden beneath a bit of flap on the back. Then there are the two passive radiators on each end of the cylinder.
High-quality Codecs
The JBL Pulse 3 includes JBL speaker Bluetooth 4.2 but lacks support for high-quality codecs, unsurprising. You’ll be familiar with the process if you’ve used a Bluetooth speaker in the last two or three years.
Micro-USB Cable
The Pulse 3 will, according to JBL, give roughly 12 hours of continuous playback. In our testing, we obtained 10 hours and 43 minutes, which is quite close.
Of course, this was done with the brightness at around 70% and the volume at a constant 75dB, so you might get a little more juice if you lower the brightness or listen to lower settings.
Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait four hours for it to recharge once it’s dead fully, and you’ll have to do it with a micro-USB cable, which is a nuisance.
Bassline
The Pulse 3 lies midway between some of JBL’s other speakers in terms of sound quality. The low end isn’t as powerful as it is on the Charge 4, but it’s still perceptible and significantly superior to the Flip 4.
In songs with a high bass effect, the thundering kicks and bassline are amplified sufficiently to be heard in open places.
Buying Decision
The Pulse 3 is our favorite of the group. Battery life of nearly 11 hours is impressive, and it would easily last me a day at the beach or by the pool.
Whatever the case may be, it is the greatest JBL portable speaker 2023. I’d gladly exchange some portability for part of this fun feature because the IPX7 grade makes it sturdy enough to take with me wherever I go.
5) JBL Boombox 2 Speaker under $5000
Boombox 2 Specs | Measured Values |
---|---|
Product dimension | 19.1×7.9×10.1 |
Battery | 1 Lithium metal battery |
Power | 2×40W RMS |
Frequency | 50Hz – 20Hz |
Bluetooth | 5.0 |
Bluetooth Frequency | 2.402-2.480 GHz |
Charging time | 6.5hrs |
- Due to high power battery, 24 hours playtime.
- Easy wireless Bluetooth streaming
- JBL Connect plus feature
- IPX7 waterproof enhancing durability of the product
- Type of connector: 3.5-millimeter stereo
- Batteries are used as a power source
The JBL Boombox 2 is unrivalled in terms of pure power if you have the cash. This speaker is clearly on the pricey side for a gadget in this category, but it’s also loud and powerful and the best JBL speakers of 2023. The Boombox 2 is the way to go if volume and bass response are your top requirements.
PartyBoost Compatible
This speaker is also quite large, weighing 13 pounds and measuring over 22 inches in length. It’s portable but not exactly travel-friendly, despite having a retro boombox-style carrying handle.
However, the IPX7 waterproof designation makes it a great poolside or outdoor party speaker, and the battery lasts for a total of 24 hours between charges, so you won’t have to worry about running out of juice.
The Boombox 2 can be paired with other PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers thanks to Bluetooth 5.0 technology, ensuring a stable connection to your music streaming device (if you decide you need even more audio immersion).
Connectors Pannel
On the speaker’s back, there is a covered connector’s panel that must be closed to keep the speaker watertight. In addition to the connection for the accompanying power adapter, the panel features a 3.5mm aux input, two USB ports (for charging mobile devices with the Boombox’s battery), and a micro USB connector for software updates.
Outdoor/ Indoor Lever
There’s also a lever that allows you to convert between indoor and outdoor sound modes; the bass is amplified significantly in outdoor sound mode. However, given the high price, it’s strange that no USB or aux input cables are included.
Extraordinarily Powerful Bass
In Indoor mode, we put the Boombox through its paces, and believe us when we say it packs a punch even without the added oomph that Outdoor mode provides.
On tracks with many sub-bass materials, like the Boombox, the Boombox creates many bass responses. Although JBL utilizes digital signal processing (DSP) to smooth out the lows slightly, the bass does not distort at very high volume settings.
If you want a portable speaker that sounds like it has a built-in subwoofer, this is the speaker to get. You can expect the Boombox to rock walls and vibrate surfaces on deep bass tunes with those two woofers.
Buying Decision
The JBL Boombox 2 will not disappoint if you enjoy booming bass and want to take it with you everywhere you go. The price is exorbitant, but once you hear it in action, you’ll understand why. It’s a strong choice in this price range because of the added versatility of being waterproof.
Key Consideration about Best JBL Speakers for Home
Here goes our guide to help you find the best JBL portable speaker. With the sheer variety of products JBL has to offer and the amazing range of speakers with the best features, it certainly is the best brand out there in the market.
However, you need to be careful when choosing the product you desire, and we hope that this JBL speakers review helped you with that.
Sound Quality
One of the most challenging aspects of buying a speaker online is that no single parameter can tell you how it will sound. Many JBL speakers will cite the brand’s “signature sound profile” in the product description, referring to how the speakers are tuned.
The sound profile for JBL is punchy, with a robust bass end. The brand is recognized for producing speakers with strong bass responses, making them excellent for bass-heavy music. JBL, like some other audio companies, offers a companion app for their speakers that allows you to tweak the audio equalization.
Modern Design
The wireless speaker design is mainly dependent on your requirements. Several speakers on this list have similar shapes, although some are significantly larger than others and thus less portable.
JBL produces various intriguing travel speakers with features such as clips, carrying handles, and straps for simple portability or on-the-go listening when hiking or cycling.
However, if you want a loud sound and don’t need to travel with your speaker too far, you should consider something larger and heavier.
JBL offers a few models that compromise portability for high audio quality and additional features such as Wi-Fi connectivity and charging ports. If you’re going to use it near a pool, be sure it’s waterproof (IPX7 rating).
Battery Life
One might wonder that is JBL a good speaker in terms of its battery life? It may not be the most glamorous or exciting feature, but let’s face it: constantly having to recharge is inconvenient. Unfortunately, poor battery life is all too typical with cheaper wireless devices, and it can take the fun out of a new speaker.
So, what qualifies as “excellent battery life“? This is mainly determined by how frequently and for how long you use your speakers. It’s the same for hosts who don’t want their speaker to die in the middle of a party or function.
On the other hand, if you only use speakers in brief bursts, you may not require such a large battery capacity. However, as a general rule, the longer the battery life, the better.
Syncing Features
JBL speakers contain synchronizing capabilities like JBL Connect+ and Party Boost, which allow you to play music from many speakers at the same time, and this feature makes it the best JBL portable speaker 2023.
Connect+ allows you to connect your speaker or speakers to an app on your phone, from which you may control and synchronize the speakers. PartyBoost, on the other hand, directly links speakers. You can use it to listen to music in stereo or connect multiple times to increase the loudness.
Syncing features can be a lot of fun because they allow you to put together a multi-speaker arrangement quickly. Still, there are some limitations on which speaker models are compatible. If you already own a JBL speaker and wish to purchase another in a different model, double-check that they can be synced with one another.
Addons for JBL Speakers
- Invest in genuine JBL items: Electronics are one of the most pirated goods available. Make sure you purchase new speakers from a reliable store.
- Find out if your JBL speaker is waterproof or submersible: Only a few portable speakers can be immersed, although most of them are waterproof. Make sure the charging port is always closed, as water can damage it.
- Install the JBL Connect app on your device: You may use the JBL app to connect your speaker, pair it with others, and ensure it’s up to current.
- Experiment with different placement options: Take your time when setting up your home system to select the best location. For example, soundbars should be in the centre, with floor speakers tucked against walls and in corners.
Even though all the JBL speakers have won the game, I like JBL Charge 4 Speaker the most. It is deafening for its size, which makes it perfect for use. The portable speaker with a deep bass effect is highly recommended for its amazing sound and audio quality. The size and the weight is just right to carry around. The overall design is very user friendly and is best for use. Its IPX7 rating makes it resistant to weather conditions and water; hence it’s travel friendly too. Its long battery life also comes as a plus point. All in all, charge 4 is the best JBL speaker for me; it fulfills all my requirements and is top notch for use.
Top Recommended Product
If you’re utilizing a stereo, 5.1, 7.1, or 9.1 system, this can be a little different. However, regardless of how many speakers you use, there are a few universal guidelines to follow. This will certainly depend on the shape of your room, but you should strive to position your speakers evenly spaced with surround speakers in the corners of your listening area.
This is dependent on the size of your room; additional subwoofers provide stronger bass quality and allow you more positioning flexibility while seeking the optimum sound quality. In a limited listening area, however, having more than one subwoofer may be overkill. Furthermore, some single speakers can deliver enough bass on their own to eliminate the need for a woofer.
If your speakers are compatible with Google Home, you can control them from multiple rooms. You can pair all of these gadgets in different parts of your house to play in sync using your phone or tablet.
The battery life of JBL’s portable Bluetooth speakers varies. The kids’ line and older generation models and low-cost alternatives offer only 5 or 6 hours of playtime. The newest variants have a battery life of up to 10 or 12 hours. A PartyBox should be set to operate for at least 16 hours.
This is dependent on the speakers. You can connect as many portable Bluetooth speakers as you want if they’re from the same series and model. For example, two JBL PartyBoxes can be linked together. An app allows other smart speakers to communicate with one another. It’s also a good idea to see how many connections a speaker can support.
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