Beats Pill+ vs JBL Charge 3

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Pill+ compared with Charge 3
BeatsPill+JBLCharge 3
Overview
ReleasedOctober 20152016
Sound
TypePortable speakerPortable speaker
Channels–stereo
Dolby AtmosNoNo
DriversTwo tweeters and two woofers (What Hi-Fi? and TechRadar)Two 50 mm drivers and two external passive radiators
Amplifiers–2 × 10 W
Frequency response–65 Hz – 20 kHz; signal-to-noise ratio over 80 dB
Connections
Wi-FiNoNo
BluetoothYesYes
AirPlayNoNo
Voice assistantsNoneNone
BluetoothBluetooth audio and speakerphone; no NFC pairing (TechRadar)Bluetooth 4.1; A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.5, HFP 1.6 and HSP 1.2; up to three phones or tablets can connect and take turns
PortsLightning charging, 3.5 mm auxiliary input and USB charge-out; auxiliary cable not includedMicro-USB charging, USB power-bank output (5 V / 2 A) and 3.5 mm audio input (port types from SoundGuys)
Multi-roomTwo units support Stereo and Amplify modes; original app also offered DJ control from two mobile devices (TechRadar and What Hi-Fi?)JBL Connect at launch; the maker offers a firmware upgrade to Connect+, after which it cannot link with original Connect speakers
AppAt launch, the original Pill+ app was available for selected iOS and Android devicesA later firmware update enables Siri or Google Now through a connected phone, rather than a built-in assistant
Design
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 12 hoursUp to 20 hours
Water and dust resistance–IPX7
Weight0.75 kg (better)0.8 kg
Battery life detailMaker's 12-hour listening claim and three-hour full charge reported by The Next Web; five-light battery gauge (TechRadar)Up to 20 hours depending on volume and content; 6,000 mAh / 22.2 Wh lithium-ion polymer battery; 4.5 hours to charge; included 5 V / 2.3 A adaptor. The final specification sheet supersedes the CES announcement's 15-hour claim.
ControlsPower, volume, playback, track and call buttons–
MicrophonesBuilt-in speakerphone microphone (TechRadar)Noise- and echo-cancelling speakerphone
Size210 × 63.6 × 69.2 mm (length × height × depth), with 0.75 kg weight, reported by TechRadar213 × 88.5 × 87 mm (W × H × D); 800 g, from the maker's specification sheet rather than SoundGuys' conflicting table
ColoursBlack and White at launch–
In the boxSpeaker, carrying bag, Lightning cable and power adaptor (TechRadar)Charge 3, 5 V / 2.3 A USB adaptor, micro-USB cable, quick start guide, safety sheet and warranty card

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