Since they entered the market, many of the world’s audiophiles and musical enthusiasts used Bluetooth speakers. Most of them are cheap, fun, easy to use, compact, and fantastic at the most critical thing, which is sound quality. Today we are going to put our attention upon one of the top-notch portable speakers in the scene, JBL Charge 4 and UE Megaboom 3.
These two speakers are obviously one of the most famous speakers on the market, and they have unbelievable features. During these years, JBL and UE can also surprise us with other products, but let us now concentrate on these two products and see what their particular advantages are.
JBL Charge 4 vs UE Megaboom 3: Technical Specifications
| JBL Charge 4 | Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 | |
| Manufacturer | JBL | UE |
| Power Output | 30 W | N/A |
| Drivers | 2 45 mm drivers | 2 51 mm drivers |
| Passive Radiators | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz to 20 kHz | 60 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | >80 dB | Not Specified |
| Impedance | Not Specified | 10kohm |
| Built-In Mic | No | No |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5 |
| Supported Bluetooth Profiles | N/A | A2DP |
| Transmitter Power | 20 dBm | N/A |
| Wireless Range | 30 feet | 150 feet |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm Stereo (Audio) | 1 x USB Micro-B (Power) |
| 3.5 mm audio jack | Yes | No |
| Outputs | 1 x USB Type-C (Power) | None |
| USB Power Output | 5 VDC at 2.3 A | Not Specified |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Battery Chemistry | Lithium-Ion Polymer (LiPo) | Lithium-Ion |
| Battery Voltage | 3.6 V | 7.40V |
| Charge Time | 5.5 hours. | 2.75 hours |
| Expected Battery Life | 20 hours | 20 hours |
| Water resistance | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Subwoofer | No | Yes |
| Sleep Timer | Yes | No |
| Auto-power off | Yes | Yes |
| Pairs with | 100+ JBL Connect+-enabled speakers | 150+ Booms and Megabooms |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 8.66 x 3.74 x 3.66” / 220 x 95 x 93 mm | 3.43 x 8.86” / 87 x 225 mm |
| Weight | 2.1 lb / 955 g | 2 lb / 925 g |
JBL Charge 4: Quick Review
Pros
- Loud sound; good for house parties.
- Stronger, richer Bass
- USB Port
- 20-Hour battery life
- Water-resistant
- Phone charging ability as you listen to music.
- More affordable
Cons
- Buttons do not lit up
- Lack of speakerphone functionality
- No EQ in the App
- No NFC feature
- Bass radiators are exposed.
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3: Quick Review
Pros
- NFC enabled.
- Available in various attractive colors.
- Punchy bass.
- All-rounded sound
- 20 hours of battery life
- Water and dust resistance
- Highly functional app
- Customizable EQ
- 360-degree audio quality
Cons
- No wireless charger
- More expensive
- Unable to stand vertically while it’s charging.
- Lack of speakerphone functionality
JBL Charge 4
Great features with amazing sound
If you are in the Bluetooth headphone business, the name of the brand is more likely than others to come up with it. JBL essentially has options at any price point, but the Charge series was still one of the better speaker series for the price. In the last iteration of the load, the JBL Charge 4 does not lower the honor.
The JBL Charge 4 provides a much better tonal balance though it also has a severe bass which does not overshadow others. The JBL Charge 4 can look like a dull update with some features, but also one of the best waterproof speakers in the world. For significantly less money, you get a speaker that’s fantastic, extensive build-quality, works as a phone charger, and is long-lasting.
UE Megaboom 3
Expensive and awesome
Ultimate Ears‘ exclusive outdoor-friendly speakers delivered modestly room-filling power in a lightweight, waterproof design for some time now. The UE Boom 3 was one of our favorite waterproof speakers of all-time and for a good reason – it had a robust build that could take a pounding, got extremely loud, and sounded fantastic for the money.
Ultimate Ears did not necessarily adjust the Bluetooth speaker formulation with the third generation UE Megaboom 3, so it wasn’t a bad thing. The build quality is much more advanced, and battery life is outstanding, and the speaker is available to customers at a significantly cheaper price. The UE Megaboom 3 is an outstanding balance in its class of portability, strength, and tone.
The JBL Charge 4 and Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 both are outstanding wireless Bluetooth speakers for people who are ready to pay more than $120. However, before diving deep into the comparison, let’s answer an important question.
Why should you buy a portable speaker?
In an age of unique gadgets, portable Bluetooth speakers have taken the unbelievable level to a new level of listening to music. The benefits include:
- Bluetooth mobile speakers allow you to listen to music everywhere, fast and effortlessly. Most wireless Bluetooth speakers are still lightweight and unbelievably compact on the market, contributing to their mobility.
- These types of speakers are ideal for outdoor use since there is no need for cords or adapters.
- Since the Bluetooth speakers are small and compact, the output sounds terrific.
- The Bluetooth portable speakers allow low power and use surprisingly low power due to their sound quality.
- Installation requirements are not mandatory for portable Bluetooth speakers.
A portable Bluetooth speaker is available for virtually every budget and is within limits for what the customers can afford. The comfort, ease of use, and pure enjoyment offered by portable Bluetooth speakers are essential for any on-the-go music lover.
JBL Charge 4 vs UE Megaboom 3: Design and Material
JBL Charge 4 comes in ten different shades, including, but not limited to, black, blue, grey, pink, teal, sand, rice, and green. The colors look bland, and it would not be the right option if you want a speaker that will help you stand out.
Lagoon blue, sunset red, ultraviolet purple, and night black colors are available for Megaboom 3. These colors are more appealing compared to the four colors of the dull, unattractive JBL charge. There are hints that in the near future, UE will be launching new colors.
In addition, there are four drivers for each of the speakers; two bass drivers and two tweeters. UE Megaboom is the most enticing two-tone speaker on the market. It has the same cylindrical structure that we hear about and enjoy, but ultimately it looks more polished. The heavy buttons in previous versions have been removed and replaced by more tactile. The Megaboom 3 has a short loop on top, so you can hang it anywhere if you have a regular carabineer. Besides, there were four drivers for each of the speakers; two bass drivers and two tweeters.
For quick entry, UE relocated the charging port to the base of the speaker, and sadly, the dated micro USB connector still has to be used to power the speaker. You can also buy the available wireless charging power Up dock when you bring a speaker home for the day if you’re not interested in struggling at all with your cords.
The Megaboom 3 and the Charge 4 are essentially identical in terms of general design and materials.
JBL Charge 4 not only has a cylindrical shape but also uncovered woofers, which are an incredible experience when the bass kicks. You can see all the physical controls of the speaker on top of the speaker. This includes power buttons, speed, Bluetooth pairing, media control, and JBL’s Connect+ feature that allow you to play or amplify stereo with two or more of your company’s other speakers.
There is a large silicone door around the back that protects aux, USB-C, and USB-A ports of 3.5 mm. With the integration of a complete USB socket, you can use Charging 4 to recharge your smartphone to sustain your audio.
Megaboom 3 will be the best option if you are searching for a compact speaker that is small in weight and one that you can control with one hand. The speaker weighs 1.3 pounds and is 7.2 inches in length. JBL Charge 4 has a length of 8.7 inches and weighs 2.1 pounds. While it’s larger than its Megaboom 3 equivalent, you’ll be able to use one hand to operate it.
Winner: Tie
JBL Charge 4 vs UE Megaboom 3: Power
NFC connection capability is one of the most significant differences in the characteristics of these speakers. Megaboom has NFC, which can be used for pairing devices easily by pressing one end of the speaker on your phone or other NFC. However, the standard Bluetooth pairing model is the only wireless option available on Charge 4.
JBL Charge 4 usually gets charged via USB-C cable. USB-A to USB-C cables are also included, but you need your own wall outlet to USB converter like this if you don’t have one.
The JBL Charge 4’s power features surpass any slight flaws it may have for $50 cheaper than the Megaboom 3.
Compared to UE Megaboom, the JBL portable speaker has the same battery life. It will take up to 20 hours for all batteries. The battery life is an excellent function, even in terms of volume and utilization. To this end, it has an input port. In any case, you generally need to charge JBL Charge 4 for about 5 hours, but for Megaboom 3 it is adequate for less than 3 hours.
One of the best features is the USB-A off the charge 4, which helps you, while you are away from an electric source and in a bind, to power your phone or another gadget off of the speaker battery. You cannot do anything like this with Megaboom 3.
Winner: JBL Charge 4
JBL Charge 4 vs UE Megaboom 3: Durability
JBL Charge 4 and Megaboom 3 are also water-resistant. However, to restore its high functionality, you can need to air out your JBL Charge 4 speaker when it gets wet.
The resistance of the speakers would cause both brands to be submerged for about thirty minutes in water up to three feet deep. You would not have to pause the music when you scramble for cover if you are using your speaker in an outdoor environment when it starts raining.
In addition to being waterproof, Megaboom 3 is also resistant to dust and can last longer than JBL Charge 4. Without the possibility of being damaged, it is even able to survive harsh environmental conditions.
Ultimate Ears offers a two-year guarantee on a potentially related note, while JBL promises one year.
Winner: UE Megaboom 3
JBL Charge 4 vs UE Megaboom 3: Connectivity
Any Bluetooth system saves a great deal of data and power. That is precisely what is given by JBL Charge 4 and UE Boom 4. Bluetooth will operate all speakers. But the type of operations they operate varies. The JBL Charge 4 functions with a 30 ft Bluetooth range. If you want music without interruption, you are still next to your speaker in the area.
The UE Megaboom 3 has a range of Bluetooth up to 150 feet, however. The UE Megaboom 3 and JBL Charge 4 are a big contrast. It means that without any interruptions you can listen to your favorite music and even change songs from a distance.
Charge 4’s 3.5 mm mini-jack can be used to connect an older device, such as an mp3 player. This ability was found to be helpful when a DJ is on an outer band, so you can have a playlist on the old system and take calls without interrupting music from the inevitable missed latecomers.
Winner: UE Megaboom 3
JBL Charge 4 vs UE Megaboom 3: Features
The UE Megaboom 3 provides fantastic mixed solutions, on the other hand. In stereo mode, you can connect two. You can also couple it with other Ultimate Ears Boom, other speakers of the Boom series such as Boom 2, Boom 3 for more volume. For JBL, the connect app is able to send louder sounds to pair many JBL speakers. The speakers are really loud, too. They are indeed built to be used outdoors.
The Megaboom in-app equalizer in the Boom app also is favored by users. The JBL Charge 4 can be EQed, but not in the JBL app, or at least not okay. In other terms, the equalizer by Spotify fits well with Charge 4.
The benefit of UE Megaboom over Charge 4 is another: in stereo mode, you can add another Megaboom to it. You can combine two Megaboom speakers with a full stereo with the app.
There is also the “Magic button” at UE Megaboom 3 to monitor the playback of music and to activate Apple Music or Deezer one-touch playlists. This means that if you use some of these apps, you can get your music almost immediately. There’s nothing like this with JBL Charge 4.
Winner: UE Megaboom 3
JBL Charge 4 vs UE Megaboom 3: Sound Performance
UE Megaboom 3 delivers the same audio, whether you stand it up or put it down. To that end, great clarity is available to hear the elements in this region; guitars, vocals, etc.
The JBL Charge 4, on the other hand, is a lateral speaker, with the JBL logo being the sound from the edge. It’s not offering 360 degrees sound, therefore; it’s got a positive side. Place it horizontally and get your logo to appreciate Charge 3.
The first thing you see about the efficiency of UE Megaboom 3 is the unbelievable length of the speaker to average volumes to fill a room. Crank the volume up to 100%, as it is best to be indoors when ambient noise must be accounted for.
There is a lot of loudness on the JBL Charge 4. For a medium-sized space, it is more than enough to play music at half volume to fill the atmosphere with sound. The speaker is excessively loud for indoor use at full volume, but the additional volume in a noisy environment is welcomed.
Due to the size, you expect Charge 4 to deliver solid bass, and it does. The two passive radiators perform very well. As the lower frequency is beginning at 65 HZ, any sub-bass distortion may be lost, but the bass is also very sniffy. You can’t put Charge 4 vertically, too, because of the bass radiators. If you do, some of the basses will be blocked. Place it horizontally for full pleasure.
You can’t go wrong with either speaker in terms of overall sound quality, while the Megaboom 3 has a more refined mids with high-end sound experience.
Megaboom has a comparatively low reaction, but you can position it vertically unlike Charge 4, and still have a firm tone.
I can remember here that Mids are the best quantity for JBL and UE Megaboom. In other speakers, the centers are smaller to allow bass and triple space. These speakers are also not appropriate for those music genres or styles. Charge 4 and Megaboom mids are clean and absolute, allowing strong and simple vocals to move. This makes them suitable for jazz enthusiasts and enthusiasts of classical music.
While the highs are evident, there seems to be a lack of energy. In waterproof speakers, this is normal. The coating used for shielding the speaker grille is typically used to shield it from water. The music of these Bluetooth speakers is not good.
Their highs appear to be very bright. Only when playing music with lots of heavy or high frequencies do you note those shifts. And the high points for Charge 4 are no longer small, so to sing instruments such as violin.
The resolution is good but not decent, as a waterproof and compact speaker in this price range is required.
Winner: UE Megaboom 3
JBL Charge 4 vs UE Megaboom 3: Price
The more accessible compact speaker at $150 is the JBL Charge 4. For the Megaboom 3 speaker, you’ll spend $200, which is $50 extra. Your option will depend on the budget you have set aside for your purchase and where the speaker will be used. For example, you’ll need the more costly Megaboom 3 speaker if you’re going to use your speaker in outdoor locations.
Winner: JBL Charge 4
Product Differntiators
The Megaboom 3 and Charge 4 are surprisely similar, although they come from different manufacturers, with large frequencies, water resistance, the possibility to connect with dozens of other speakers and more.
If you want 360-degree sound and a luxury style, The UE Boom 3 is a fantastic option to the Charge 4, but you’ll have to give up a little sound quality. JBL Xtreme 2’s capacity to project far and place voices front and center makes it sound better to our ears. The JBL is also more powerful at lower frequencies. However, the UE has beat the JBL on battery life, with 20 hours of playing compared to 15 hours for the JBL.
Alternative Products
JBL Charge 5
Pros
- Long battery life
- Can charge your portable devices
- Built-in USB charging port
- Plenty of color options
- Silicon bumpers
- Dustproof and waterproof design
- Can charge your portable devices
- Racetrack-shaped driver
- Fuller sound
Cons
Not directional sound
The Bottom Line: JBL Charge 4 vs UE Megaboom 3
When you play Megaboom 3 alongside JBL Charge 4, the JBL one will not sound that natural. However, you’ll love the sound when you play that one alone, particularly with the 360 degrees sound delivery. But overall, you would definitely appreciate the clarity of the sound of a Megaboom 3 speaker, whether you are alone or enjoy an outside gathering or party. There would be no problem with adjusting the bass, treble, or mid to your desired level also.
JBL Charge 4 and Megaboom 3 are both waterproof, but UE has taken this to a whole another level, they also boost the dust proofing of their brand. So, you don’t have to care about the water or dust that falls in contact with your speaker when you enjoy your outdoor crowd.
JBL Charge 4 will suit perfectly if you’re after a portable speaker that makes a long play duration. The speaker lasts 20 hours, but depending on the frequency, it could be shorter. Megaboom 3 also offers 20 hours of battery life and, like JBL Charge 4, if the battery volume is high, battery life will be shorter.
Author’s Pick: UE Megaboom 3
It is hard to come up with a definitive winner, given the pros and cons, and the advantages and disadvantages of these two incredible portable speakers.
Your budget, when and how you’ll be using your speaker, and your options, among other variables, will help you to decide which one is actually perfect for you. Anyway, I’ll go for the UE Megaboom 3 if I have to pick because I’m not going to make too much compromise just because of its price.
FAQs: JBL Charge 4 vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
This FAQ section is going to help you with resolving the issues that you might have while trying to compare JBL charge and Ultimate Ears. Let’s hop right into it!
How will JBL Charge 4 be reset?
To reset, you can click the “Volume+” and “Bluetooth“.
If the Charge 4 speaker gets wet, may I charge my JBL Charge 4?
Prior to charging, you must dry the charging port thoroughly.
Is there an AUX-in UE Megaboom 3?
No, there are no auxiliary ports in the UE Megaboom 3.
Do both of these speakers require a charger?
They have a charging wire, but no wall adapter.
Can you repeat an album, please? Quick forward or backwind?
No, you can’t refer to the speaker. Both items are handled by whatever software, i.e. location, Pandora you’re using.
Can I use the Magic Button to control all of my playlists with on one-touch?
You will play, pause, and skip tracks directly on a speaker for some sort of music service. You could also use the Boom & Megaboom program to handle Apple Music and Deezer Premium custom one-touch playlists.
In order to use the Magic Button, do I need an app?
You don’t need to update the app to use the Magic Button for pause/play/skip. However, you need to download the Ultimate Ears Boom and Megaboom app by Ultimate Ears to use the Magic Button for one-touch access to your playlists.
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