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Head-to-head · Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers

JBL Authentics 500 vs Soundcore Boom 3i

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

JBL Authentics 500 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.2 vs 4.1). JBL Authentics 500 is best for: stylish home audio enthusiasts. Read the strengths below before deciding.

JBL Authentics 500
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
JBL Authentics 500
3 sources$449.95as of Oct 30

The JBL Authentics 500 wraps a Wi-Fi streaming platform and a 3.1-way driver array in a retro wood cabinet, and it plays loud and deep enough to fill a living room from a single box. 7Review, despite scoring it 9 out of 10, was unconvinced by the midrange and found the bass compressing at higher volumes. It is a stylish, feature-complete home speaker rather than a reference listening device, and it will not pair into stereo.

Strengths
  • — Retro design with textured leather-like vinyl wrap and signature Quadrex grille
  • — 3.1-way driver configuration with 6.5-inch down-firing subwoofer for deep bass response
  • — Supports dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.3, and multiple streaming protocols including Spotify Connect and AirPlay
Watch-outs
  • — The Quadrex grille may be polarizing due to its distinctive angular design
$449.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Soundcore Boom 3i
Ranked #4 in Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
Soundcore Boom 3i
2 sources$59.99as of Oct 11

The Soundcore Boom 3i is a rugged, bass-forward portable speaker with an IP68 rating and a carry strap, aimed at pool decks and campsites rather than critical listening. SoundGuys scored it 8.4 out of 10 and called it the best waterproof Bluetooth speaker they had tested; PCMag was markedly cooler at 3.5 out of 5. The split is the story — the durability and the low end are genuinely good, the finer detail in the mids is not. Casual outdoor listeners will be happy; anyone chasing tonal accuracy should not be.

Strengths
  • — Compact and portable design suitable for outdoor use
  • — Solid bass response and overall sound quality for its size
  • — Built-in rechargeable battery with decent runtime
Watch-outs
  • — Mid and high frequencies lack detail, which shows on acoustic and vocal material
$59.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

JBL Authentics 500

The JBL Authentics 500 is a home speaker with Wi-Fi streaming, 270W of power and no battery, where the JBL Charge 6 runs 24 hours on battery at 45W. It is rated IPX4 splash-resistant, against IP68 for the Charge 6 and IP67 for the Bose SoundLink Max. At 25.1 lb it is far heavier than the SoundLink Max at 4.7 lb, and it costs more.

Soundcore Boom 3i

The Soundcore Boom 3i is rated IP68, against IP67 for the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and IP68 for the JBL Charge 6. It weighs 0.71 lb, lighter than the SoundLink Flex at 1.3 lb and the Charge 6 at 2.18 lb, and it costs less than both. Its companion app has a fully user-adjustable EQ, and the Charge 6 offers a 7-band customizable EQ through the JBL Portable app.

Specs side-by-side

SpecJBL Authentics 500Soundcore Boom 3i
Weight25.1 lb0.71 lb
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm AUX, EthernetBluetooth 5.0
Dimensions17.6 x 9.4 x 10 in8.27 x 3.35 x 3.09 in
Frequency Response40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB)56 Hz - 20 kHz
Color OptionsBlackAdventurer Black, Deep Ocean Blue, Jungle Green, Desert Rose Brown
WaterproofIPX4 (splash-resistant)IP68
BatteryNone—
Wattage270W—
MaterialWood—
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