Short answer: the Beats Pill 2024. It ranks #69 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $99.95. The JBL Charge Essential ranks #78, rated 3.2/5, at $73.99, $25.96 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Beats Pill 2024: Doubles as a power bank (USB-C charge-out). Watch for: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy.
Why pick the JBL Charge Essential: Doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the Beats Pill 2024. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $25.96 you would save on the JBL Charge Essential does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beats Pill 2024 | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.95 | $73.99 |
| Ranked | #69 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #78 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | 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 | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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) |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W RMS |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Beats Pill 2024 compares with other leading options:
- Beats Pill 2024 vs Earfun Uboom L
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Beats Pill 2024
- Beats Pill 2024 vs Minirig 4
- Beats Pill 2024 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- JBL Charge 6 vs Beats Pill 2024
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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: $99.95 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Beats Pill+ (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5).
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. Measured bass extension of ~56Hz (-10dB).
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 | Yes |
| 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 |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| 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
- Beats Pill 2024 vs JBL Flip 5
- Beats Pill 2024 vs Bose Portable Smart Speaker
- Beats Pill 2024 vs JBL Flip Essential 2
- Beats Pill 2024 vs Sony XB33
- Beats Pill 2024 vs JBL Flip 4
- Beats Pill 2024 vs Sony XB23
- Beats Pill 2024 vs Klipsch Nashville
- Beats Pill 2024 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- See all 78 comparisons
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5.
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 2
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- See all 121 comparisons