UE Megaboom 3 Vs. JBL Charge 5: Better Bluetooth Speaker

Portable Bluetooth speakers continue to improve, providing exceptional audio quality and features in compact form factors you can take anywhere. Two of the top options on the market right now are the UE Megaboom 3 and the JBL Charge 5. But which one is better for you?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the UE Megaboom 3 and JBL Charge 5 across various categories to help you decide which Bluetooth speaker best fits your needs and budget. We’ll look at sound quality, design, battery life, smart features, and more.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	UE Megaboom 3	JBL Charge 5
Release Year	2018	2021
Battery Life	15 hours	20 hours
Water Resistance	IP67 (waterproof up to 1m for 30 mins)	IP67 (waterproof up to 1m for 30 mins)
Wireless Connectivity	Bluetooth, WiFi (connect up to 150 speakers)	Bluetooth
Speaker Size	3.39 x 3.39 x 8.94 in	3.7 x 8.59 x 3.51 in
Weight	2.9 lbs	2.1 lbs
Rated Power Output	90 db SPL @ 1m	80 db SPL @ 1m
Frequency Response	65Hz – 20kHz	60Hz – 20kHz
Built-in Microphone	Yes	Yes
Voice Assistant Support	Amazon Alexa	None
Colors Available	Black, Green, Blue, Red	Black, Blue, Red, Teal
Price	$169.99	$179.95

Sound Quality

First and foremost, you want a portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds great. Here’s how the Megaboom 3 and Charge 5 audio stacks up:

• UE Megaboom 3

The Megaboom 3 delivers full, detailed sound with ustomizat bass and crisp highs. Two 55mm active drivers and two 51mm x 41.2mm passive radiators power the audio. It can reach max volume of 90dBA and fill larger rooms and outdoor spaces without distortion.

UE leveraged new digital signal processing algorithms to improve the speaker’s ability to play various genres well. The sound profile has been tuned to work across different volumes too. An onboard equalizer in the UE app lets you further ustomiza the audio signature.

• JBL Charge 5

JBL pumps bass on the Charge 5, which sports dual passive radiators and a racetrack-shaped driver to bolster low end and output clear mids/highs. The sound is punchy and lively, great for pop, hip-hop, EDM, and other beats-focused genres.

The speaker can get incredibly loud (over 80 decibels) without muddying up the audio. And JBL’s signature warm tone shines through. You can use the app EQ to tweak the sound profile to your liking.

• Verdict

The Megaboom 3 and Charge 5 both deliver powerful, room-filling sound with solid clarity and bass. However, the Megaboom 3’s audio sounds a bit more balanced overall. The Charge 5 skews towards pumped up bass and high volumes. Casual listeners who want an affordable speaker to play upbeat tunes will appreciate the Charge 5’s exciting signature. Audiophiles will prefer the Megaboom 3’s audio finesse.

Design & Portability

Considering you’ll be travelling with these Bluetooth speakers, aesthetics and ease of transport matter. Here’s how the designs compare:

• UE Megaboom 3

Clad in a two-tone matte/metallic fabric exterior, the cylindrical Megaboom 3 looks modern and stylish. It’s a bit hefty at just over 2 pounds, but the speaker feels durable and built to last. The one-piece construction makes it simple to grab and go without worrying about detaching pieces.

On the top, easy-to-reach buttons control playback and volume. The speaker is waterproof and floatable, so you can bring it to the beach or pool worry-free. It also has a handy strap for hanging the Megaboom 3 from backpacks, bike handles, etc.

• JBL Charge 5

Sporting JBL’s signature fabric coating on a cylindrical build, the Charge 5 won’t stand out design-wise but does look smart. The matte exterior resists scuffs and scratches well. Integrated grab handles on each end make the 2 pound Charge 5 easy to carry.

Like the Megaboom 3, the Charge 5 has playback buttons up top and is fully waterproof with an IP67 rating. The exposed passive radiators peeking through the grille look cool. But the two-part construction means you’ll want to be careful not to lose the cap that protects charging/aux ports.

• Verdict

For portable use, the Megaboom 3’s one-piece build is more convenient and rugged. But both speakers have great aesthetics and weather resistance for outdoor adventures. The Megaboom 3’s unique design and hangable strap give it a slight edge. However, the Charge 5 is no slouch.

Features & Connectivity

Modern Bluetooth speakers provide more than just wireless audio streaming. Let’s examine what extra features each model offers.

• UE Megaboom 3

UE packs the cylindrical Megaboom 3 with useful features. It has a 100-foot Bluetooth range and remembers up to 8 device pairings. Tap the speaker to pause/play music or use buttons to skip tracks and adjust volume. With a built-in mic, you can use the Megaboom 3 for speakerphone calls too.

The UE app unlocks more capabilities. Create one-touch playlists, set alarms, check battery level, change EQ presets, enable PartyUp to sync with other UE speakers, and more. PartyUp lets you pair over 150 UE speakers for huge sound. You can also set the Megaboom 3 in a vertical or horizontal position.

• JBL Charge 5

You get JBL’s signature features with the Charge 5. Bluetooth 5.1 provides rock solid connectivity and you can pair two JBL PartyBoost-compatible speakers together. Dedicated buttons control playback and volume. Access your phone’s virtual assistant via the speaker. Use the built-in powerbank to charge your devices.

While the Charge 5 lacks an app, the onboard controls deliver great functionality for music playback and speakerphone duties. Like the Megaboom 3, you can position the Charge 5 vertically or horizontally based on the orientation.

• Verdict

Both speakers excel for wireless streaming, calls, and device charging. However, the Megaboom 3 pulls ahead with the UE app’s ustomization and PartyUp syncing abilities. The Charge 5 is very simple and intuitive out of the box though. It comes down to preference for smart features versus simplicity.

Also Read: Differences Between Jbl Charge 5 And Jbl Xtreme 3.

Battery Life

Portable Bluetooth speakers need to last long enough on a single charge to get you through your day. Here’s how long the Megaboom 3 and Charge 5 can play tunes before needing a top up:

• UE Megaboom 3

Thanks to a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the Megaboom 3 can keep the music pumping for up to 20 hours at moderate volume levels. That’s four more hours than the previous Megaboom 2. The battery meter in the app makes it easy to monitor power levels.

• JBL Charge 5

The Charge 5 packs a 7,500mAh battery that provides up to 20 hours of continuous playtime per charge. That’s several hours longer than the Charge 4’s battery life. The integrated powerbank lets you charge your smartphone or tablet on the go too.

• Verdict

With the exact same 20 hour battery life rating, the Megaboom 3 and Charge 5 are evenly matched when it comes to portable staying power. Both speakers can easily get you through a full day’s use between charges. The Charge 5 gives you the flexibility to share some juice with your devices as well.

Also Read: Choose Between Echo Dot And Echo Show.

Durability & Water Resistance

Since you’ll likely use a portable Bluetooth speaker in diverse environments, it must be able to withstand the elements. Here’s how the Megaboom 3 and Charge 5 hold up:

• UE Megaboom 3

Following in the footsteps of previous Megaboom speakers, the Megaboom 3 carries an IP67 rating making it dustproof and waterproof. It can be submerged down to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. UE constructed the speaker from durable materials to resist damage when out and about.

You don’t have to worry about splashes, rain, or the occasional drop ruining the Megaboom 3. It was built to withstand the rigors of portable, outdoor use. The two year warranty provides additional peace of mind.

• JBL Charge 5

JBL designed the Charge 5 to the IP67 waterproof and dustproof standard too. The rugged fabric covering and internal components prevent splashes, rain, and debris from causing harm. It can even be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes.

The hardy build stands up well to frequent travel and outdoor excursions. While not indestructible, the Charge 5 was made to survive normal drops, bumps, and scrapes. And the 1 year warranty backs the speaker against defects.

• Verdict

With identical IP67 ratings and waterproof designs, both the Megaboom 3 and Charge 5 can shrug off wet weather, splashes, dust, and the occasional tumble without issue. However, the Megaboom 3’s two year warranty conveys greater long term durability. But either speaker should provide seasons of portable use if treated reasonably well.

Price

Of course, price plays an important role when comparing products. Here’s how the Megaboom 3 and Charge 5 measure up cost-wise:

• UE Megaboom 3

UE sells the Megaboom 3 direct and through retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. The regular MSRP is $199.99, but you can often find it discounted to around $149.99. That places the Megaboom 3 firmly in the premium bracket for portable Bluetooth speakers considering its features and audio performance.

• JBL Charge 5

The Charge 5 retails for approximately $179.95 direct from JBL and electronics outlets like Walmart and Target. However, street prices fluctuate between $149.95 to $159.95 frequently. That slots the Charge 5 into a more affordable price range versus the Megaboom 3.

Also Read: Comparison Between the JBL Charge 4 and Flip 6

• Verdict

The Charge 5 costs notably less than the Megaboom 3, particularly when you can find it on sale. With wireless speakers in this size class, the Megaboom 3’s $50+ premium is significant. The Charge 5 gives you close to equal performance for less cash. However, the Megaboom 3 justifies its price with richer, app-enhanced features.

Also watch this video!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Also Read: Differences Between MEGABOOM 3 And JBL Xtreme 3.

The Verdict

So which is better between the UE Megaboom 3 Vs. JBL Charge 5? After comparing these two excellent portable Bluetooth speakers across several important categories, the Megaboom 3 comes out on top overall:

• Sound quality – While the JBL has more bass emphasis, the Megaboom 3’s audio is more natural and customizable
• Design – Sleeker styling and one-piece build improves portability
• Features – UE app unlocks more ways to personalize and control the speaker
• Durability – With IP67 water/dustproofing, both are rugged but the Megaboom 3 has a longer 2 year warranty
• Battery life – 20 hours on a charge is excellent for either model

The Charge 5 does offer slightly better value given its lower cost. But the Megaboom 3 justifies its price premium with a more well-rounded performance for audio enthusiasts. While you can’t go wrong with either speaker, the Megaboom 3’s superior sound quality, features, and design make it our top overall choice.