[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] JBL Charge Essential 3 SE Review – Small Speaker, Seriously Big Sound At first glance, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE looks very much like a smaller sibling of the amazing powerhouse that is the JBL Charge 6. But don't let its compact size fool you — this little speaker delivers a surprisingly big, powerful and beautifully balanced sound. At its heart is a 30-watt woofer, producing clear, tight and punchy bass, paired with a 10-watt tweeter that delivers crisp, sweet highs. With a frequency response of 60 Hz to 20 kHz, the overall sound is full, clean and remarkably spacious for a portable speaker weighing less than one kilogram. Big JBL Sound The sound is genuinely impressive. Bass is strong and controlled rather than simply loud, vocals come through clearly, and the highs have plenty of detail without becoming harsh. Select the JBL Signature EQ setting and the Charge Essential 3 SE really comes alive. It has more than enough energy to get a party going, yet it is equally enjoyable sitting quietly in the bedroom after a long day at work. Turn the volume up and it sounds much bigger than its physical dimensions would suggest. 7-Band EQ and JBL Portable App Using the JBL Portable App, you can choose between several EQ presets including JBL Signature, Chill, Energetic and Vocal. For those who prefer to fine-tune their sound, selecting Custom EQ opens up a 7-band equaliser, giving you much greater control over the speaker's character. Whether you want more bass, clearer vocals or a slightly brighter top end, there is plenty of room to make the sound your own. Classic JBL Design The Charge Essential 3 SE carries the unmistakable JBL family look. On either side are JBL's dependable dual passive radiators, visibly moving with the music and adding that satisfying extra punch to the bass. The build quality, look and feel are very much in keeping with its bigger brothers. It feels solid, substantial and ready to travel. Up to 20 Hours of Music Battery life is rated at up to 20 hours of playtime, making this a speaker that can comfortably keep the music going throughout the day. Charging is through USB-C, taking approximately four hours for a full charge. Better still, the speaker can double as a power bank, allowing you to recharge your phone from its battery — a genuinely useful feature from such a compact portable speaker. Built for the Real World With an IP67 rating, the Charge Essential 3 SE is designed to handle water and dust, making it equally at home indoors, beside the pool or on an outdoor adventure. Connectivity is equally modern, with Bluetooth 5.4 and Auracast technology allowing compatible speakers to be connected together for an even bigger listening experience. Final Verdict The JBL Charge Essential 3 SE proves once again that a speaker doesn't have to be big to produce big sound. It is compact, weighs less than a kilogram, delivers tight and powerful bass, crisp highs, excellent EQ control, long battery life and even doubles as a power bank. Add JBL's rugged construction and unmistakable design, and you have an extremely capable portable speaker. Small enough to carry almost anywhere, powerful enough to fill the room. Overall, this is another excellent product from JBL, delivering the powerful, exciting and unmistakable sound that has become a signature of JBL portable speakers.