The Bluetooth speaker business is a very lucrative one. The top companies in this market are JBL, UE, and Bose. There are also a few others, but these are the most popular when it comes to high-quality Bluetooth speakers.
In this review, I would like to compare two very popular wireless speakers – Charge 3 from JBL and Boom 2 from Ultimate Ears.
Let’s take look at the design, sound quality, battery life and how good are they in keeping the connection to a device. After this comparison, you will be able to make a decision on which of these speakers is better for you.
Specs
JBL Charge 3 | UE Boom 2 | |
---|---|---|
Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
Battery Life | 20 hours | 15 hours |
Frequency Response | 65 Hz – 20 kHz | 90 Hz – 20 kHz |
Weight | 800 grams | 548 grams |
Dimensions | 213 x 87 x 88.5 mm | 178 x 64 x 64 mm |
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Build quality
JBL Charge 3
My immediate impression after opening the box is that the speaker looks and feels very premium. Its size is somewhere between JBL Flip and JBL Xtreme, so it’s not too big to take it into a backpack and go camping.
It’s wrapped with special protective fabric and hard rubber. The combination of these materials improved the seal greatly and now the speaker is not only splash-proof but also waterproof. The IPX7 certification means that it can be submerged up to 1 meter for about 30 minutes.
On top of Charge 3, you will find the following buttons:
- power,
- Bluetooth,
- volume up/down,
- play/pause/skip,
- JBL Connect.
The last button – JBL Connect allows you to connect other JBL compatible speakers and duplicate the sound or use two speakers to play in the stereo mode.
On the back of the speaker, you have a rubber flap. Behind the flap, there is a USB output and 3.5 mm input.
UE Boom 2
UE Boom 2 is more portable than JBL Charge 3. It probably offers the greatest amount of color schemes than other speakers.
- BrainFreeze,
- Cherrybomb,
- Green Machine,
- Indigo,
- Meteor,
- Phantom,
- Tropical,
- Urban Explorer,
- Yeti.

Thanks to the durable fabric wrapped around the device and rubberized plastic it has a great grip and the same IPX7 certificate as JBL Charge 3, making it an excellent pool companion.
UE added the ability to control the device with gestures – tap the top of the speaker once to pause the music, tap twice to skip to the next track. In order to use gesture controls, you have to hold the speaker in your hand.
On top of the speaker, you will find the power button and the Bluetooth pairing button. On the bottom of the speaker, there is the micro-USB input for charging and 3.5 mm input hidden behind the two rubber flap-doors.
Sound
JBL Charge 3
I’m happy with the sound this speaker can produce. Obviously, it can’t compete with bookshelf speakers, but it’s pretty loud and can fill with sound in an average-sized room. The sound is enthusiastic and powerful, strengthened by two passive radiators located on both sides of the device.
You can orient the speaker vertically or horizontally. But, when it’s placed it in the vertical position one passive radiator will be covered, so probably you should place it on its longer side. The speaker doesn’t offer a 360 degree sound, so make sure you placed the speaker with the JBL logo facing you.
The passive radiators are responsible for bass, and thanks to them the low frequencies can sound as good as in the bigger speaker without this technology.
This speaker is on the top when it comes to low frequencies. The bass is deep and powerful, especially when you place the device on the flat surface that can help resonate the sound.
The mids frequencies are a category where the speaker lacks the most. It’s not bad, but it not as good either. The vocals and instruments sound great but background sounds seem to be a bit lost.
The highs could be a bit crispier, especially if you compare it to Bose Soundlink Mini 2. But this is probably limited by the waterproof design and other waterproof competitors struggle with this as well.
UE Boom 2
The speaker is very loud, especially for its size. It’s about 25% louder than the original Boom. Contrary to Charge 3, it does offer a full 360 degrees sound. Place it however you like and you will receive the same loudness.
The original Boom has a problem with playing sounds at higher volumes – when you played the speaker at 75% of volume, the sound started to be distorted. This isn’t an issue with the newest Boom 2. You can go as far as 90% and it sounds great.
Due to its small size, the bass is not very powerful. If you are a bass-head go with Charge 3.
Charge 3 also offers higher quality when it comes to mids and highs – it’s just bigger, so it can fit bigger drivers inside.
You can download the app for a smartphone and you will be able to connect two Booms and make them play in stereo mode. It will also let you set the speaker volume, skip tracks and control bass and treble, allowing you to tailor the frequencies to suit you best.
Connectivity
JBL Charge 3
In order to pair the speaker with a smartphone, press the Bluetooth button. It will play a small tone to let you know it’s looking for your smartphone. When both devices are paired, you will be informed again. Now, choose the device that is listed on your phone. It will connect automatically each time the two devices are in range.
The connection of Charge 3 is solid. I was able to keep the connection for more than 30 feet through multiple walls.
UE Boom 2
Boom 2 offers a great feature known to Android users – NFC. It stands for Near Field Communication and offers instantaneous connection – Just tap the speaker with your phone and the devices will be paired.
Battery
JBL Charge 3
JBL Charge 3 has a massive 6000 mAh battery that lasts about 20 hours. It’s an improvement in comparison to the previous model which lasts about 12 hours.
It also offers a great feature that most speakers lack – it can be used as a power bank and charge a phone or tablet. It can be invaluable when your phone is out of juice.
Of course, charging a device will result in lowering the playtime.
The battery status and the charging process is indicated by a small row of LED lights. The more lights lit, the more power you have.
UE Boom 2
The UE claims that Boom 2 can last up to 15 hours on a single charge. In reality, it’s about 12 hours, which is similar to Charge 2.
You can check the battery status by pressing two buttons (+ and -). It will give you the reading of how much battery life remains.
Pros and Cons
JBL Charge 3 | UE Boom 2 |
---|---|
PROS: – Loud – Battery life – Sturdy – IPX7 certificate – JBL Connect – Can be used as a power bank – 3.5 mm headphone jack – LED lights / Good bass | PROS: – Loud – Sturdy – IPX7 certificate – Very portable – 360-degree sound – Can pair multiple speakers |
CONS: – Mids are bit muffled | CONS: – No dedicated buttons – Battery life could be better – Weak bass |
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