Ultimately, the JBL Charge 3 is a decent-sounding speaker, that also happens to rugged, good-looking, has great stamina and is completely waterproof. It isn't the last word in refinement, at least not when it comes to compact Bluetooth speakers.

With each new version of the Charge, JBL has made minor improvements to an already good Bluetooth speaker. The Charge 2 boosted bass; the 2+ added moderate water resistance. With the new Charge 3, JBL has added even more features, including better water resistance and a longer lasting battery, but...

Waterproof; Loud; Good battery life

Weaker sound quality than JBL Charge 2; Limited app

This little speaker really packs a punch. The music sounds great and it easy to use. I can also move it from room to room. Compared to the Bose (which was my original choice) it has better sound quality. Very happy with this purchase.

Summer is here, and when it comes to picnics in the park, barbecues on the patio or even big weekend festivals, a battery-powered Bluetooth speaker is the perfect way to take your music with you while you enjoy the sunshine.

Built to handle life outdoors; Clear and powerful sound; Charges to other devices

No aptX; Cold; hard mid-range

Great sound quality, long battery life, usb charger is handy for phone etc. only minus, when 2 speakers connected together, firstly you need app on phone to do this and secondly it continuously effects the sound quality as it ‘skips' during playing music - that's the reason of only giving it a...

I took this to the beach and was very pleased with it. Sounds great to be so small. I showed it to a friend and they are going to buy one as well. For the price it is really great.

Attractive; Easy To Set Up; Good Power Output; Great Sound; Simple Controls

The Charge 3 ($149.95) will look familiar, but pack few surprises for anyone who's used a recent JBL Bluetooth speaker. But that's not a bad thing, as the company has been pumping out some of the better speakers on the market. Accordingly, the Charge 3's audio performance is impressive—it can get quite loud without distorting, and delivers laudable bass response for the price. It may be a bit on the bulky side for a portable speaker, but if you want solid low-end response and crisp highs on the go, the Charge 3 is a fantastic option and earns our Editors' Choice award. DesignMeasuring 3.5 by 8.4 by 3.4 inches (HWD) and weighing in at about 1.8 pounds, the roughly cylindrical Charge 3 is a bit larger and bulkier than plenty of competing portable Bluetooth models. The downside, obviously, is that it weighs down bags and is a bit more of a pain to tote around. The upside is the audio performance, but more on that in the next section. The Charge 3 is offered in black, blue, gray, red...

The JBL Charge 3 is an outdoor-friendly portable Bluetooth speaker that packs a considerable bass punch for its size and price.

Powerful audio performance with solid bass response and well-defined highs; Water-resistant design; Speakerphone functionality; Can charge mobile devices

Cannot backward navigate tracks; A bit bulky; Light on accessories

The JBL Charge 3 is made for parties and outdoor events. Using Social Mode, you can add up to three devices to connect and choose the music. The waterproof design means you can keep the party going no matter the weather and keep listening to music by the pool or on the beach without having to worry...

Ability to charge your mobile devices; Social Mode allows you to have three devices connected to the speaker; Waterproof design (IPX7; Powerful sound output for a compact speaker; Can be positioned on end; Great sound quality

Average battery life compared with other speakers; Cannot go back a track using on-speaker buttons

The JBL is an excellent option if you are looking for a high quality yet affordable Bluetooth speaker. With its great highs and lows and its ability to pump out some crisp music the Charge 3 should cater to everyone's needs.

JBL does it again.

Waterproof; Size to sound ratio

Lacking in mids