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Head-to-head · Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers

JBL Charge 6 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 Charge 6 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.1). JBL Charge 6 is best for: outdoor adventurers needing rugged waterproofing. Read the strengths below before deciding.

JBL Charge 6
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers
JBL Charge 6
7 sources$149.95as of Oct 30

The JBL Charge 6 improves on its predecessor with IP68 water resistance, a 7-band customizable EQ, thicker rubber bumpers, and drop-proof certification. PCMag's Mark Knapp liked the rugged design and the enhanced audio features but found that the Playtime Boost feature compromises sound quality. SoundGuys reviewer Shiun Okada called out the detachable handle and improved bass response, while flagging that it isn't backward compatible with older JBL models. Outdoor users who want a durable, weatherproof speaker with sound they can tune are the audience.

Strengths
  • — IP68 waterproof rating allows submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes
  • — 7-band customizable EQ available through JBL Portable app
  • — Detachable handle offers dual functionality as traditional handle or carrying loop
Watch-outs
  • — Playtime Boost feature negatively impacts sound quality
  • — No backwards compatibility with older JBL speakers using Party Boost
$149.95 · 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 Charge 6

The JBL Charge 6 is rated IP68, matching the Soundcore Boom 3i, against IP67 for the Bose SoundLink Max and Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen). Its battery is listed at 24 hours, longer than the SoundLink Max's 20 hours and the SoundLink Flex's 12 hours. It has a 7-band customizable EQ in the JBL Portable app, where the SoundLink Flex's EQ options are lackluster, and it costs less than the SoundLink Max.

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 Charge 6Soundcore Boom 3i
Weight2.18 lb0.71 lb
WaterproofIP68IP68
Battery24 hours (up to 28 hours with Playtime Boost)—
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.4, USB-C (lossless audio and charging), AuracastBluetooth 5.0
Dimensions9.02 x 3.9 x 3.7 in8.27 x 3.35 x 3.09 in
Color OptionsBlack, White, Pink, Red, Blue, Purple, SquadAdventurer Black, Deep Ocean Blue, Jungle Green, Desert Rose Brown
Frequency Response56 Hz - 20 kHz (-6 dB)56 Hz - 20 kHz
Wattage45W—
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