JBL is one of the leading manufacturers of quality Bluetooth speakers and Boombox and Charge 4 are two of its most well-known products. They are both great-sounding and affordable speakers that are designed to last long. Not only they can be used for home parties, but they are also suitable for outdoor events and camping trips, or pool parties.
But which among the two is best for you? Both the speakers are amazing and you are guaranteed great performance. But some subtle differences between them can make a huge difference if you are using the speaker all day long.
So let’s run down all the differences and decide which JBL speaker you should prefer.
| Product Image | Product Name | Product Price | Prime Availability | Purchase Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | JBL Boombox - Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | JBL Charge 4 - Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
| Features | JBL Boombox | JBL Charge 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Output Power | 2×30 watt | 24 watt |
| Signal-to-noise Ratio | 80 dB | 80 dB |
| Dimensions | 495 x 254.5 x 195.5 mm | 220 x 950 x 930 mm |
| Weight | 5.25 kg | 0.96 kg |
| Lowest Frequency | 50 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Highest Frequency | 20,000 Hz | 20,000 Hz |
| Battery Power | 20,000 mAh | 7,500 mAh |
| Charging Time | 6.5 hours | 4 hours |
| Battery Life (advertised) | 24 hours | 20 hours |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| USB Ports | 2 | 1 |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 | IPX7 |
Table of Contents
1. Pricing
So first, let’s have a look over their pricing. The JBL Boombox is priced at $399.95, although being an older model, it is often available at $349.99 on sale during festivities and other occasions. On the other hand, the JBL Charge 4 is much more affordable, priced at a budget of just $129.95. So, if you are looking for a cheaper option, JBL Charge 4 wins straight down. But keep in mind, the increased price of JBL Boombox many great features and performance boost, which we will have a look at next.
2. Design
The JBL Boombox is quite large & heavy when compared to the JBL Charge 4. Weighed at 5.25 kg, this rugged speaker is ready for outdoor use. JBL Charge 4 on the other hand just below 1kg is feather-light and can be carried easily with one hand. Also, keep in mind Boombox has a comfortable handle built into it to easily carry it around.
The JBL Boombox can feel heavy and not a great choice for a speaker that you would like to travel with. If you are looking for more compact speakers, do check out our detailed analysis of the best portable Boombox in 2023.
All the JBL speakers have an IPX7 waterproof rating. So, they are ready to be used in pool parties and along-side beaches. The IPX7 protective seal safeguards the speaker against raindrops, dust, water splashes, etc.
If you are looking for more waterproof speakers to choose from, visit our review of the best waterproof Boombox in 2023 along with a detailed buying guide.
3. Power
The Boombox features a large 2000mAh battery whereas the Charge 4 is powered by a relatively weak 7500mAh battery. The Boombox is advertised to last a complete day on one full charge whereas the Charge 4 can go on for 20 hours without the need to plug again. Although in practical usage, the lifetime of Boombox varies from 15-18 hours and 8-10 hours for Charge 4 depending upon the volume and features enabled.
Since the Boombox relies on a battery almost three times the size of that of Charge 4, it takes about 6.4 hours to complete from zero whereas the Charge 4 takes only 4 hours to achieve the same feat. Both the speakers have a LED indicator to display different battery levels.
4. Sound Quality
The JBL Boombox flaunts two 30 watt speakers that can also operate at 2×20 watt mode when the battery saver is enabled. The JBL Charge 4 on the other hand is equipped with 24-watt speakers. Hence, the Boombox is predominantly loud and should be the first choice for large-size events.
Similarly, the Boombox supports a frequency range of 50 Hz to 20 kHz as compared to the 60 Hz -20 Khz range of the Charge 4. Hence it is crisper and the lowers are much more accurate.
Both the speakers have almost similar passive radiators that produce rich tones even at extreme volumes. Both the speakers have identical SNR (Signal to Noise ratios) of 80dBs each.
Also, visit our review of the best-sounding Boombox in 2023 for more quality speakers with awesome music output.
5. Connectivity
Both JBL Boombox and Charge 4 are equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 to connect your speaker with Smartphone, PC, or smart TVs. Both of them also use a traditional AUX cable as found in other wired speakers.
The JBL Boombox, as well as Charge 4, have 1 USB port so you cannot use any USB drive while charging also. Both the speakers support the JBL Connect+ app so you can connect as many speakers as you want to a single device.
You can download the JBL connect+ using the below links:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.harman.ble.jbllink
IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/jbl-portable/id994041762
If you are looking specifically for speakers that support Bluetooth, don’t forget to visit our review of the best Bluetooth Boombox to buy in 2023.
JBL Boombox
- One of the best-selling speakers, JBL Boombox is one of the most powerful and trusted speakers out there.
- Powered by a massive 20,000 mAh battery and hard-hitting boost, play songs all day long without missing any tune.
- Use the Connect+ app to connect any number of JBL speakers you want to start a mini-event at the comfort of your home.
- Add to that the promise of quality by JBL, Boombox 2 is a complete musical package in one.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
JBL Charge 4
- JBL Charge 4 is charged with a 7,500 mAh rechargeable Li-io battery that lets you enjoy music non-stop for 20 hours.
- The speaker features a USB port to connect devices such as memory cards, USB drives, or even your smartphone.
- The feather-light weight allows you to store and carry it anywhere.
- Rugged with high-quality rubber, the speaker is IPX7 rated and ready for beach use.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Final Words
Both JBL Boombox and Charge 4 are amazing speakers that are priced reasonably well in their respective range. The best among the two will of course depend upon your needs. If you are in for a louder speaker that can last all day, Boombox without any doubt should be your first choice.
But, if portability and pricing are the priority, Charge 4 is lighter, cheaper, and over-all aesthetically better-looking. The charging time of Charge 4 is also about 2.5 hours shorter than that of Boombox but the battery life is also lower accordingly.
We hope you will agree with our verdict and were able to decide which among the JBL Boombox or Charge 4 is better for you. Also, check out our comparison of JBL Boombox Vs JBL Xtreme 2 and JBL Boombox Vs Partybox 300 for a more in-depth analysis of the best JBL speakers in 2023. Make sure you bookmark us and we will make sure your next visit is worth it.