Design and build:

With same cylindrical design, the JBL Charge 3 is slightly smaller and lightweight than the Charge 5. You can choose from multiple color options. They have rugged design and good build quality. These speakers are portable and easy to carry on-the-go. Comparing JBL Charge 3 vs Charge 5, the Charge 5 has IP67 rating whereas the Charge 3 has IPX7 rating. This means you should be extra careful in dust prone places like beach.

Both these portable Bluetooth speakers can withstand water splashes so you can use it in the rain, kitchen, bathroom or by the pool. It can also be put inside water but up to 1m.

Performance:

Comparing JBL Charge 3 vs Charge 5, the Charge 3 can play in stereo mode but the JBL Charge 5 has more number of drivers. The Charge 3 has 2 2” full range drivers whereas the Charge 5 is a 2-way speaker with 0.75" dome tweeter and 2" x 3.5" woofer. They both have passive radiators but with independent woofer and high output power, the Charge 5 sounds better.

JBL Charge 3 has clean vocals and a decent punch in the low ends. It can handle rock, metal, jazz and other genres with accuracy. Trebles are not top notch but you need to overlook some flaws from such cheap speakers. Overall, the speaker can deliver powerful performance at such a compact size and is loved by many.

JBL Charge 5 can get quite loud to fill a room but it is not suitable for large spaces. These speakers are suitable to play at moderate volumes to avoid any distortion. It has balanced mids and you have the option to tweak the sound with the graphic EQ.

Connectivity:

While the Charge 5 has the updated Bluetooth version of 5.1, the Charge 3 supports both wired and wireless connectivity. The Charge 3 has an aux port and Bluetooth version 4.1. It can connect 3 devices but the Charge 5 can connect two.

Multiple speaker pairing:

Comparing JBL Charge 3 vs Charge 5, the Charge 3 uses the older technology known as JBL Connect and will be compatible with Connect supported speakers from JBL. The Charge 5 uses PartyBoost feature and it will not connect with other speakers expect for PartyBoost speakers.

Battery life:

The battery life of Charge 3 and 4 is almost similar. They last around 12 to 13 hours which is less than that promised in their advertisements. It is still high enough to party all day long with a single charge. Both these speakers can be used as power bank.

Microphone:

JBL Charge 3 vs Charge 5 comparison shows differences in terms of features. The Charge 3 comes with built-in microphone. You can use this to take phone calls. With noise and echo cancelling speakerphone, the phone calls will be clear. You can also use this to activate the voice assistants on the phone like Siri or Google Now and instruct them to play songs. This feature is not available in the Charge 5.

Control options:

You will find multiple control buttons on both speaker like volume up/down, play/pause, Bluetooth, Connect (Charge 3) and PartyBoost (Charge 5). Use the play/pause button on the Charge 3 for voice controls. The Charge 5 works with JBL Portable app and the Charge 3 uses Connect app.

Cost:

Comparing JBL Charge 5 vs Charge 3 price, the Charge 3 is cheap and available under $100. The Charge 5 costs double of that of Charge 3 and is found under $150. In case you are looking for a portable speaker under $100, then JBL Charge 3 is for you.

FAQ:

Why my audio is cutting with the JBL Charge 3 speakers?

If the sound frequently cuts off with the JBL Bluetooth speaker, make sure the Bluetooth device is within range. Keep them closer to avoid interference. Check the connection and see whether the desired device is connected to the speaker. Lastly, you can try resetting the speaker and reconnecting with the source.

How can I factory reset the JBL Charge 5 speaker?

To factory reset the Charge 5, turn on the speaker. Then press the volume + and play/pause button, hold them for 2 second.