Speaker Comparisons
JBL Boombox vs JBL Boombox 2: Is the Slight Upgrade Worth the Cost?
The JBL Boombox 2 was released in spring 2020 as as an update to the original portable outdoor party companion, the JBL Boombox. Both of these are at the larger, and more outdoorsy end of the biggest, loudest portable speakers we’ve reviewed. And they’re expensive. In this article we go through what all reliable critics—not …
Clarity on the Ultra-Portable Bose Speakers: Choosing Between The Soundlink Micro vs Flex vs Revolve II
Bose has three worthwhile options at the smaller end of its classy Bluetooth speaker lineup. From smallest to largest, they are the Bose Soundlink Micro, the Bose Soundlink Flex, and the Bose Soundlink Revolve II. These are the speakers to consider if you want something small enough to fit into a purse or small backpack …
JBL Flip 4 vs Flip 5: Is the New Version Worth It?
This article covers previous-model speakers. For the latest from JBL, check out our comparison review of the JBL Flip 5 versus Flip 6. The JBL Flip 5 was released August 1, 2019 as an update to the JBL Flip 4 — already one of the better affordable portable Bluetooth speakers out there. While the Flip …
JBL Pulse 4 vs Flip 5 vs Charge 4: What’s Different Between the Celebrated Mid-Sized Bluetooth Speakers
Update as of December 2021: Note that these speakers have been replaced by newer models; see our comparison of the JBL Flip 5 vs. Flip 6 for more, as well as our comparison of the larger JBL Charge 4 and Charge 5. The broad differences between these speaker lines remain the same however, and the …
The JBL Xtreme 3’s Small Upgrades from the JBL Xtreme and Xtreme 2: Worth it?
The JBL Xtreme, Xtreme 2, and Xtreme 3 speakers offer an excellent, portable, rugged route to serious bass oomph and to getting a quite loud outdoor party going. This series has long been a favorite in terms of ruggedness among the largest, loudest Bluetooth speakers we review; we think that for people who party a …
JBL Flip 4 vs. UE Boom 2 vs. Bose Soundlink Revolve: The Ultimate Bluetooth Speaker Comparison
Update: All of these models are now replaced by much newer, better options from the respective manufacturers. Head to our review of the best portable travel speaker for the latest recommendations from Ultimate Ears (formerly UE), JBL, and Bose. We’ve analyzed everything said by consumer organizations, tech sites, and audiophile bloggers for the three greatest portable Bluetooth speakers …
JBL Charge 3 vs. UE Boom 2 vs. Bose Soundlink Mini II: The Ultimate Bluetooth Speaker Comparison
Update: All of these models are now replaced by much newer, better options from the respective manufacturers. Head to our review of the best portable travel speaker for the latest recommendations from Ultimate Ears (formerly UE), JBL, and Bose. In the current bluetooth speaker market deluge, three models consistently float to the top of …
JBL Flip 4 vs. JBL Charge 3: Which Is Better?
Update: While these were fine speakers they’ve been supplanted by newer models. For the latest, see our comparison of the JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 6 and the JBL Charge 4 vs Charge 5. We’ve run our usual thorough analysis on JBL’s two most convenient and portable Bluetooth speaker options: the JBL Flip 4 and …
JBL Charge 3 vs Charge 4: Is the Upgrade Really Better?
Update: These speakers are both now outdated; check out our review of the JBL Charge 4 vs. JBL Charge 5. Newer is not always better; we’ve seen this sometimes even with JBL’s speaker designs. So we were curious to unravel the differences between the JBL Charge 3 and the newer JBL Charge 4. First of …
The Practical, Portable JBL Charge 5 vs. Splurging on the Ultimate Outdoor Party Speaker: The JBL Xtreme 3
JBL’s very loud, bossy, bass-forward portable speakers are great for picnics, tailgating, and—with their complete waterproofing—the pool or beach. The JBL Charge 5 fulfills this role in a speaker about the size and shape of a wine bottle placed on its side—and weighs just a bit lighter than that boozy bottle of pinot magic in …