Short answer: the Beats Pill 2024 on measured sound quality, the JBL Charge Essential on price. The Beats Pill 2024 ranks #64 of 142 medium speakers at $129.95. The JBL Charge Essential ranks #71 at $73.99, $55.96 cheaper.
What the Beats Pill 2024 offers: Doubles as a power bank (USB-C charge-out). 24 hour battery life; a 10 min quick-charge gives 2 hours. Watch for: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy.
What the JBL Charge Essential offers: Doubles as a power bank. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the Beats Pill 2024 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the JBL Charge Essential if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beats Pill 2024 | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.95 | $73.99 |
| Ranked | #64 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #71 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~56Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 1.7 lbs / 770 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.6" x 2.8" x 2.8" (219 x 71 x 70 mm) | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers with dual passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 20W RMS |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Beats Pill 2024 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Charge 6 vs Beats Pill 2024
- JBL Flip 7 vs Beats Pill 2024
- Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs Beats Pill 2024
- Sonos Play vs Beats Pill 2024
- JBL Charge 4 vs Beats Pill 2024
Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Beats Pill 2024: $129.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-C charge-out). 24 hour battery life; a 10 min quick-charge gives 2 hours. IP67 rated. Stereo pairs with a second Pill.
Cons: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy. Slightly recessed mids. Rolled off treble.
Full Beats Pill 2024 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~56Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 8.6" x 2.8" x 2.8" (219 x 71 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: New Beats Pill 2024: sound demo More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Beats Pill 2024 - first & last impression
- DailyTekk: NEW Beats Pill First Impressions & Sound Test - Worth $149?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beats Pill vs Harman Luna vs Bose Flex vs Soundcore Motion Plus More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Beats Pill (by Apple) 2024 version review vs JBL and Soundcore!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
Full JBL Charge Essential review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs / 770 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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