JBL Tuner 3 vs Roberts Play 11
The JBL Tuner 3 and the Roberts Play 11 take different routes to power. The duel is a built-in battery with Bluetooth against four AA cells and a headphone socket.
Updated October 2, 2026
JBL Tuner 3
IP68 DAB+ and FM radio and Bluetooth speaker rated for up to 12 hours per charge.
Full specs, pros and cons
Roberts Play 11
Compact fabric-covered DAB+ and FM radio that runs on four AA cells or USB-C power.
Full specs, pros and consThe short answer
The choice depends on use. The JBL Tuner 3 offers Bluetooth and a built-in battery that JBL rates at up to 12 hours. The Roberts Play 11 runs on four AA cells that you can replace during a power cut. It adds a headphone socket and 20 presets. Roberts gives no battery figure and neither includes a mains adaptor.
Choose the JBL Tuner 3 if
- you want a built-in battery that JBL rates at up to 12 hours
- you want Bluetooth 5.3 and a radio that doubles as a speaker
- you want Auracast pairing with a second speaker
Choose the Roberts Play 11 if
- you want to swap in fresh AA cells instead of waiting for a charge
- you want a headphone socket and 20 presets
- you want the lighter radio at about 360 g
Specs side by side
JBL Tuner 3
Pros
- IP68 rating covers water and dust for outdoor use.
- Charges in about 3.5 hours over USB-C.
- Auracast pairing links it with other speakers in stereo or as a group.
Cons
- A USB-C cable is not in the box and the battery cannot be swapped.
Roberts Play 11
Pros
- Four AA cells keep it going when the mains is off.
- The backlight dims automatically on battery power to stretch the cells.
- At 360 g it is one of the lighter radios on this list.
Cons
- No Bluetooth so phone audio stays on the phone.
Frequently asked questions
Which one keeps playing longer when the power goes off?
JBL claims up to 12 hours from the built-in battery of the JBL Tuner 3 and 15 hours with Playtime Boost. JBL also gives a charge time of 3.5 hours over USB-C and the cable is not included. The Roberts Play 11 has no published battery life but takes fresh AA cells at any time.
Does the Roberts Play 11 have Bluetooth like the JBL Tuner 3?
No. The Roberts Play 11 has no Bluetooth in its manual or feature list. The JBL Tuner 3 has Bluetooth 5.3 with Auracast and works as a speaker for a phone. In return the Roberts Play 11 offers a headphone socket while JBL lists none for the JBL Tuner 3.
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