Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Charge 4

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SoundLink Max compared with Charge 4

	BoseSoundLink Max	JBLCharge 4
Overview
Released
Released	May 2024	2018
Sound
Type
Type	Portable speaker	Portable speaker
Channels
Channels	Stereo	–
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos	No	No
Drivers
Drivers	Three transducers and two custom passive radiators	One 50 × 90 mm driver and two passive radiators
Amplifiers
Amplifiers	–	30 W RMS
Frequency response
Frequency response	–	60 Hz – 20 kHz; signal-to-noise ratio over 80 dB
Room tuning
Room tuning	Adjustable EQ (bass, mid-range and treble) 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 5.4 (Bose UK spec page; the launch press release said 5.3); SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive (Snapdragon Sound); multipoint; Google Fast Pair; A2DP, AVRCP, SPP, iAP and BLE; 9 m range	Bluetooth 4.2; A2DP 1.3 and AVRCP 1.6; two phones or tablets can connect and take turns
Ports
Ports	USB-C in and out (charges a phone); 3.5 mm AUX input	USB-C charging, USB-A power-bank output (5 V / 2 A maximum) and 3.5 mm audio input; port types confirmed by SoundGuys and TechRadar
Streaming
Streaming	Bluetooth; shortcut button can start Spotify Tap	–
Multi-room
Multi-room	Stereo Mode or Party Mode with a second SoundLink Max; SimpleSync with Bose smart soundbars and speakers	Connect+ links more than 100 compatible speakers; original Connect speakers require a compatible firmware upgrade, which the maker offers for Charge 3
App
App	Bose app	–
Design
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 20 hours	Up to 20 hours
Water and dust resistance
Water and dust resistance	IP67	IPX7
Weight
Weight	2.2 kg	0.965 kg (better)
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	Up to 20 hours; 5 hours to charge; USB-C power adapter not included outside the US	Up to 20 hours depending on volume and content; 27 Wh (3.6 V, 7,500 mAh) lithium-ion polymer battery; 4 hours to charge at 5 V / 2.3 A
Controls
Controls	Buttons, including a shortcut button for AUX switching or Spotify Tap	–
Microphones
Microphones	None	No microphone for phone calls (SoundGuys)
Mounting
Mounting	Removable rope handle included; rope carrying strap sold separately	–
Size
Size	4.73 × 10.42 × 4.13 in (H × W × D)	220 × 93 × 95 mm (W × H × D), following the maker's W × D × H specification
Colours
Colours	Black, Blue Dusk	Desert Sand, Mustard Yellow, Dusty Pink, Grey Stone, River Teal, Fiesta Red, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black, Steel White and Forest Green at launch
In the box
In the box	SoundLink Max, USB-C to USB-C cable, safety sheet	Charge 4, USB-C cable, quick start guide, warranty card and safety sheet; no mains adaptor listed