If you use a less intensive light mode like jet you’ll be able to squeeze out about 8 hours playback time or if you use a more intensive light mode like rainbow then you’ll be lucky to get 5 hours of playback time. Even though it has an advertised battery life of 12 hours, due to its light feature and what brightness you have it set at, its battery life is all over the place. Where as the JBL Pulse 3 has the worst real world battery life here. So if you want the speaker with the longest real world battery life here then the JBL Charge 4 is your guy. Even though the XB31 has an advertised battery life of 24 hours, with its extra bass mode and light feature turned on and with the volume set at 80% this speaker is good for about 9 to 10 hours of playback time. Where as the Boom 3 has the shortest real world battery life here of about 7 hours of playback time. But the Charge 4 has the longest real world battery life here of about 11 hours of playback time. The Charge 4, XB31 and Boom 3 will all have no problem lasting you at least one full day of playing music at 80% volume from a full charge. It has a USB C port which is strictly used for charging and it keeps the Audio jack and USB A Out Port so you can also charge your own devices.īut now let's talk about battery life. And finally theres the JBL Charge 4 which has a slightly more updated set up than the XB31. And since it has a USB A out port you can charge your own devices. The Sony XB31 also charges via a micro USB port and has an audio jack. The Pulse 3 also doesn’t have a USB A out port but it does have an audio jack and charges via a micro USB port. There is no audio jack, and there is no USB A out port so you cant charge your own devices. The Boom 3 only has a micro USB port thats used for charging. Now I also quickly want to go over ports cause they’re pretty different and significant depending on your needs. So for those reasons I’ve always said the Pulse 3 is a great at home speaker. Due to its acrylic top you do risk scratching it or cracking it if you drop it, and again you also have to be mindful of those exposed radiators. And finally theres the JBL Pulse 3, even though it is water proof… its objectively the most fragile speaker here. The Charge 4 is also pretty durable, but due to JBL’s trade marked exposed passive radiators you really want to be careful to not push them in or you risk breaking them. So you really don’t have to worry about them if you cram them into your back pack. Since these speakers are fully enclosed, they’re both rocking and IP67 rating and they’re both shock proof. But if you want a really durable speaker that you can take with you almost anywhere then the Boom 3 or XB31 will might be more up your ally. They all have a fabric body cause a fabric body does a much better job of standing up to bumps and scrapes than a cheaper plastic body, and most premium portable speakers these days also have an IPX7 rating which means they’re water proof. And if you want to learn more about either of these speakers then please watch their full reviews.įirst lets get the basic stuff out of the way, most premium portable speakers these days have a few things in common. I highly suggest you check them out cause Sony’s and JBL’s speakers routinely go on sale so you’ll might get lucky. So, if you want to pick either of these speakers up I’ll have links in the description below and if you use the links it really helps out the channel. Where as the JBL Pulse 3 retails for $200… but its typically on sale now for $170. Money wise, the JBL Charge 4, Sony XB31, and UE Boom 3 all retail for $150. We have the brand new JBL Charge 4, the also brand new UE Boom 3, the Sony XB31 and one of the coolest looking speakers out there… the JBL Pulse 3. I actually like each of these speakers for different reasons, and depending on your needs and budget one of these is going to be better suited for you. Today we’re going to be comparing some of my favorite mid sized speakers.

Jbl pulse 2 vs ue boom 2