Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) vs JBL Charge 3

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

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SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) compared with Charge 3

	BoseSoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)	JBLCharge 3
Overview
Released
Released	September 2024	2016
Sound
Type
Type	Portable speaker	Portable speaker
Channels
Channels	–	stereo
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos	No	No
Drivers
Drivers	–	Two 50 mm drivers and two external passive radiators
Amplifiers
Amplifiers	–	2 × 10 W
Frequency response
Frequency response	–	65 Hz – 20 kHz; signal-to-noise ratio over 80 dB
Room tuning
Room tuning	PositionIQ senses the speaker's orientation and adjusts the sound; adjustable EQ in the Bose app	–
Connections
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	No	No
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
AirPlay
AirPlay	No	No
Voice assistants
Voice assistants	None	None
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3 with a 9 m range; multipoint connection to two devices; aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound devices	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
Ports
Ports	USB-C (charging)	Micro-USB charging, USB power-bank output (5 V / 2 A) and 3.5 mm audio input (port types from SoundGuys)
Streaming
Streaming	Bluetooth; the shortcut button can start Spotify Tap	–
Multi-room
Multi-room	Stereo Mode with a second Flex (2nd Gen), or Party Mode with another current SoundLink speaker (Micro 2nd Gen, Plus or Max); SimpleSync with Bose smart soundbars and speakers	JBL Connect at launch; the maker offers a firmware upgrade to Connect+, after which it cannot link with original Connect speakers
App
App	Bose app	A later firmware update enables Siri or Google Now through a connected phone, rather than a built-in assistant
Design
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 12 hours	Up to 20 hours
Water and dust resistance
Water and dust resistance	IP67	IPX7
Weight
Weight	0.59 kg (better)	0.8 kg
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	Up to 12 hours; up to 3 hours at maximum volume; up to 4 hours to charge; no power adapter included	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.
Controls
Controls	Buttons on top, including a programmable shortcut button (linking two speakers by default; Spotify Tap or the phone's voice assistant)	–
Microphones
Microphones	Built-in microphone for speakerphone calls	Noise- and echo-cancelling speakerphone
Mounting
Mounting	Nylon utility loop for carrying or clipping to a bag	–
Size
Size	2.06 × 7.93 × 3.56 in (H × W × D); 1.291 lb	213 × 88.5 × 87 mm (W × H × D); 800 g, from the maker's specification sheet rather than SoundGuys' conflicting table
Colours
Colours	Black, Blue Dusk, Alpine Sage and Sandstone, plus limited editions; Bose UK currently sells Dewdrop Mint	–
In the box
In the box	SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen), USB-C to USB-A cable, safety sheet	Charge 3, 5 V / 2.3 A USB adaptor, micro-USB cable, quick start guide, safety sheet and warranty card