Were you shopping for a quality speaker? And now you’ve narrowed it down to two speakers: JBL Boombox 3 and JBL Charge 5? If you’re having trouble deciding which one to choose, you’ve come to the right spot.
In this article, I’ll share a detailed comparison between Charge 5 and Boombox 3. I’ll cover how are they different in sound, design, battery life, and more. And I’m sure that by the end of this article, you’ll know which one is perfect for you. So without any further ado, let’s dive straight in!
What In The Box?
Charge 5
- The speaker itself
- USB Type C cable
- Warranty card
- Safety sheet
- Quick start guide
Boombox 3
- The Boombox 3
- AC power cord and adapter
- Warranty card
- Safety sheet
- Quick start guide
How JBL Charge 5 is Better than JBL Boombox 3?
- It has a more portable size (22 x 9.6 x 9.3 cm vs 48.2 x 25.7 x 20.0 cm)
- It is way lighter (0.96 kg vs 6.7 kg)
- 2.5 hours shorter recharging time (4 hours vs 6.5 hours)
How JBL Boombox 3 is better than JBL Charge 5?
- It has a 20 Hz lower low frequency (40 Hz vs 60 Hz) resulting in a more deep bass
- It features an AUX port
- It has a longer battery life (24 hours vs 20 hours)
- It has a more advanced Bluetooth version (5.3 vs 5.1)
JBL Boombox 3 Vs JBL Charge 5: One-on-One Comparison
I want you to have a quick look at these features battle between the speakers before we discuss any details.
| Features | JBL Charge 5 | JBL Boombox 3 |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz – 20 kHz | 40 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Output Power | 30 + 10 W | 180 W |
| Battery Time | 20 hours | 24 hours |
| Charge Time | 4 hours | 6.5 hours |
| Charging Cable Type | USB Type C | AC power cord |
| Weight | 0.96 kg | 6.7 kg |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Powerbank Feature | Yes | Yes |
| PartyBoost Feature | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Commands | No | No |
| AUX Input | No | Yes |
| App Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
Which One Has Better Sound Quality?
After unboxing my JBL Boombox 3, I took out my JBL Charge 5 from the cupboard and played many different songs to decide which was better. Here’s what I noticed:
Both speakers have amazing sound clarity, as one would expect from JBL. Both have decent treble and the mids are crystal clear.
Owing to the mammoth power output of 180 watts, the JBL Boombox 3 is way louder and fantastic to rock any outdoor event. No matter how high you turn up the volume, there’s no distortion.
If you’re looking for a deep bass speaker, you’ll fall in love with the Boombox 3. The JBL Charge 5 is no match for Boombox 3 when it comes to bass. The JBL Boombox 3 gives you goosebumps at the beat drops, thanks to the dedicated subwoofer.
If you need a party speaker with loud sound and monstrous bass, the JBL Boombox 3 would be the right choice. But if you’re looking for a portable speaker with high clarity and decent bass, JBL Charge 5 is your go-to option.
When it comes to sound quality, JBL Charge 5 doesn’t compare to the Boombox 3.
How Do They Compare in Design and Portability?
The JBL Charge 5 is a portable speaker with a mere weight of 0.96 kg. It has an oblong design with onboard controls. You can easily carry it around in your backpack wherever you go.
The JBL Boombox 3 is considerably larger and weighs 6.7 kg. However, with the top handle, you can easily move it around. JBL Boombox 3 is more suitable for parties rather than long hikes or mountain biking.
In terms of portability, the JBL Charge 5 is the clear winner.
Which One Has a Longer Battery Life?
The JBL Charge 5 can keep going for 20 hours (at 50% volume) and takes only 4 hours to fully recharge. In my experience, it barely lasted for 14.5 hours, but it might be because I keep meddling with the volume.
If we talk about the Boombox 3, it claims to have 24 hours of non-stop playing on a 6.5-hour recharge. But, in my case, I was surprised to see that it lasted for almost 30 hours on a single charge. And it only took about 5 hours to recharge.
So if you want a speaker with better battery life, JBL Boombox is the one.
Which One Offers Better Connectivity Features?
The JBL Boombox 3 features a more advanced 5.3 Bluetooth version while the Charge 5 has a 5.1 version. So the Bluetooth connection is slightly more stable with Boombox 3.
Both speakers can connect with up to 2 devices simultaneously, so you can take turns with your friend playing your favorite songs. Apart from on-board controls, these speakers can also be controlled from the JBL mobile app where you get loads of exciting features. They both have the PartyBoost feature that allows you to pair multiple compatible speakers and build a sound wall to vibe up your parties.
Regarding additional features, both speakers have a USB Type-A port to charge all your other devices. The JBL Boombox 3 also features an AUX port to connect your devices with an AUX cable. The JBL Charge 5 lacks the AUX port.
In my opinion, the JBL Boombox 3 has a slight edge over the Charge 5 in the connectivity features battle.
Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Go For?
Now that you know all of the differences between the two speakers. It all comes down to your preferences and budget to choose which one is right for you.
The JBL Boombox 3 comes at a handsome price of 399$ while the JBL Charge 5 will only cost you 129$.
If you need a portable speaker with decent sound quality and running a little low on cash. However, if you want a party speaker with loud sound and chilling bass and you’re willing to spend extra then I would recommend you go for the Boombox 3.
I hope my guide helped you pick out your match, if you’re having trouble making a decision or have any questions about the speakers. You can leave a comment below and we’ll sort it out.
FAQs
Both speakers are built with a sturdy material that is built to last. They both can survive accidental drops and spills. But I wouldn’t recommend dropping them intentionally out of curiosity because you don’t know when you run out of luck.
Yes, both of these speakers are waterproof. With an IP67 rating, both speakers have dust resistance and can be fully submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes. So you don’t have to worry if you accidentally drop it in your pool.
I’m Shaun Conroy, an audiophile & founder of HiFi Audios. Holding a Bachelor’s in Sound Engineering, I bring deep expertise in audio devices and offer insights & recommendations to fellow enthusiasts.
