The stiff competition between JBL and Ultimate Ears (UE) has been ongoing for years when it comes to portable speakers. Each company has unleashed powerful speakers and among them being JBL charge 4 and Megaboom 3.
Hopefully you’ll have a better understands of how these two speakers compare once you’re doing reading this post.
Battery Life
With Megaboom 3, you’ll be able to enjoy 15 hours of continous play without the need to recharge. When it runs out of charge, it’ll only take 2 ½ hours to recharge.
For JBL Charge 4, you will enjoy 20 hours of continous play which means it will last 5 hours more than its main competitor. However, you’ll need 5 ½ hours to recharge it.
It is important to note, however, that the battery life may be longer or shorter depending on the settings and volume levels, among other factors.
Winner: in regards to how long the battery will last, JBL charge 4 takes the lead. However, if you consider how long the battery takes to fully recharge, Megaboom 3 takes the lead as it will take 2 ½ hours compared to JBL Charge 4’s 5 ½ hours.
Connectivity With Similar Speakers
When using JBL Charge 4, you’ll be able to connect it with over 100 speakers. To make it even better, the connect plus feature makes it possible to connect the speaker with the recently released JBL speakers.
For Megaboom 3, you’ll be able to connect it with over 150 similar speakers which will make the music louder. There are plans to come up with a Boom App that will make it possible to connect Boom, Boom 2 & 3, and Megaboom and Megaboom 3 speakers. If you have one of the old speakers, do not dispose of them as there are indications that you will be using them again in the future.
In addition to being able to connect to different speakers, Megaboom 3 is able to access 4 varying playlists in Deezer and Apple music stores. This means you’ll have a wide range of choices when it comes to music when using Megaboom 3.
Winner: Megaboom 3
Sound
JBL Charge 4 has an amazing sound compared to speakers of a similar size. It also has better bass, better volume, and a more enhanced richness compared to Megaboom 3.
Megaboom 3 has a strong, clear, and omnidirectional sound but compared to JBL charge 4, the sound is tinnier and has little bass. However, the 360 degrees sound transmission makes it the best choice for outdoor listening.
It is important to remember that JBL Charge 4 is most appropriate for indoor use as it is not omnidirectional. To get the most of it, you will need to locate the speaker in front of where you are seated. If you locate it elsewhere, the sound may not be very good.
Winner: JBL Charge 4.
Durability
Both the JBL Charge 4 and Megaboom 3 are waterproof, but you may need to let your JBL Charge 4 speaker air out if it gets wet to restore its full functionality. Both speakers are water-resistant up to three feet deep for about 30 minutes. This means that if you’re using the speaker outdoors and it starts to rain, you don’t have to interrupt the music to seek shelter.
In addition to being water-resistant, the Megaboom 3 is also dust-resistant and has a longer lifespan than the JBL Charge 4. It can also withstand harsh environmental conditions without risking damage.
If you want a portable speaker that is beautiful, long-lasting, and can withstand the elements, the Megaboom 3 is the perfect choice.
Winner: Megaboom 3
Software
JBL Charge 4’s software is not very functional as it doesn’t have an equalizer, among other settings. For Megaboom 3, the app is more advanced with an equalizer and preload playlist. The app will also allow you to control the speaker’s power. You will enjoy the block party experience when using this amazing speaker.
When using Megaboom 3, it will be possible to connect up to 3 phones to the speaker and then, take turns playing music from each device. This will allow you to hold a block party where each person will play the music that most appeals to him.
Size
If you are looking for a portable speaker that is light in weight and one that you can operate with one hand, Megaboom 3 will be your ideal choice. The speaker weighs 1.3 pounds and has a length of 7.2 inches.
JBL Charge 4 weighs 2.1 pounds and has an 8.7 inches length. Though it is bigger than its Megaboom 3 counterpart, you’ll be able to operate it using one hand.
Appeal
The JBL Charge 4 is available in 10 different colors, including black, blue, grey, pink, teal, sand, white, and green. These colors are plain and unassuming, so if you’re looking for a speaker that will make you stand out, this may not be the best option.
In contrast, the Megaboom 3 is available in four colors: lagoon blue, sunset red, ultraviolet purple, and night black. These colors are more appealing and vibrant compared to the dull and unattractive colors offered by the JBL Charge 4. Additionally, there are indications that UE will be releasing new colors for the Megaboom 3 in the near future.
Phone Charging
One of the winning points when it comes to JBL Charge 4 speaker is the ability to charge up to 4 phones when listening to music. However, this will shorten the battery life of your speaker which will make the playtime shorter. If your phone battery is about to die and you’ll need to keep it on, the shorter play time will be worth the sacrifice.
Megaboom 3 does not have a charging feature and will not be of help if you need to remotely charge your phone.
Price
JBL Charge 4 is the more affordable portable speaker at $150. You will pay $200 for Megaboom 3 speaker which is $50 more. Your choice will depend on the budget you’ve set aside for your purchase and where you’ll be using the speaker. For instance, if you’ll use your speaker in outdoor places, you will need the more expensive Megaboom 3 speaker.
Pros and Cons
JBL Charge 4
Pros
- USB charging
- Stronger, richer bass
- 20 hours battery life
- Phone charging ability as you listen to music
- More affordable compared to Megaboom 3
- Waterproof though you need to air it if it gets wet to maintain the high functionality.
Cons
- The speaker buttons are not lit up, making it difficult to use them in the dark.
- Lack of speakerphone functionality
Megaboom 3
Pros
- All-rounded sound
- Attractive design
- 15 hours battery life
- Water and dust resistance
- Highly functional app
Cons
- More expensive
- Lack of phone charging ability
- Shorter battery life compared to JBL Charge 4
Comparison Chart
|
| JBL Charge 4 | Megaboom 3 |
|
|
|
|
| Weight | 965 grams |
608 grams
|
| Battery Life | 20 Hours | 15 Hours |
| Available Colors | 10 |
4
|
| Waterproof Ability | IPX7 |
IP67
|
| Dimension | 220 * 95 * 93mm |
73 * 73 * 184mm
|
| Charging Time | 5 ½ Hours |
2 ½ Hours
|
| Phone Charging | Yes |
No
|
| App Support | Yes |
Yes
|
| Water Resistance | 4 |
10
|
| Speaker Pairing | Over 150 speakers |
Over 100 Speakers
|
The Verdict
Best in Outdoor Use
When you play Megaboom 3 alongside JBL Charge 4, the latter will sound tin-like. However, when you play it alone, you’ll love the sound especially with the 360 degrees sound delivery. Whether you are alone or you are enjoying an outdoor family gathering, you will love the clarity of sound from a Megaboom 3 speaker. You’ll not have any trouble customizing the bass, treble or mid to your preferred level.
Both JBL Charge 4 and Megaboom 3 are waterproof but EU has gone a step further to make their brand dustproof as well. As you enjoy your outdoor gathering, you will not worry about the water or dust that comes into contact with your speaker.
Best Battery Life
If you are looking for a portable speaker that will allow long paly time, JBL Charge 4 will be a perfect fit. The speaker will last for 20 hours though this could be shorter depending on the volume. Charging your phone as you play will also shorten the life of your battery.
Megaboom 3 will last for 15 hours and like JBL Charge 4, the battery life could be shorter if the volume is high. Do not get shocked if after 6 hours of 60% volume the battery life runs out.
Shortest Recharging time
When looking for a portable speaker, the amount of time it takes to charge will also count especially if you travel a lot. Megaboom 3 has a shorter charging time at 2.5 hours compared to the 5.5 hours it’ll take to fully recharge JBL Charge 4.
Considering the pros and cons, and the highs and lows of these two amazing portable speakers, it is impossible to come up with a definite winner. Your budget, where and how you’ll be using your speaker, and the charging time, among other factors, will determine your choices.