Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It ranks #33 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $129.99; the JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #35 and costs $130, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen gets right: Pretty much identical sounding to the 1st gen. The catch: Not stereo.
The case for the JBL Charge Essential 2: Doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Not stereo.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge Essential 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge Essential 2 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | JBL Charge Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $130 |
| Ranked | #33 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #35 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 586 g | 2.1 lbs / 930 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~55Hz |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 40W |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen: $129.99 Amazon
Pros: Pretty much identical sounding to the 1st gen
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail. Self drains the battery about 10% a week.
Full Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 586 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Flex
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen - sound demo
- Tô Thái Trí Hùng: Unbox & Sound Test - Bose Soundlink Flex 2
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen & Soundcore Motion 300 sound test
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech!
- CEONTHEMAKING: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd Gen VS Marshall Emberton III - What’s NEW??
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Small speaker, mighty sound, The Flex gen 2 shatters physics!
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Charge Essential 2: $130
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Close to Charge 5 performance at a lower price.
Cons: Not stereo. Slightly less bass than a Charge 5.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 930 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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