Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 for better sound quality, the JBL Charge Essential for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #55 of 136 medium speakers at $184. The JBL Charge Essential ranks #68 at $73.99, $110.01 cheaper.
On the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 side: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Watch for: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
What the JBL Charge Essential gets right: Doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 is discontinued, but it still ranks #55 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Charge Essential if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge Essential is rated for 20 hours versus 10 hours for the Bose Soundlink Mini 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Charge Essential at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $184.00 Discontinued | $73.99 |
| Ranked | #55 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #68 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 1.7 lbs / 770 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | Micro USB |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | No |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 20W RMS |
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- Bose Soundlink Mini vs JBL Flip Essential
- JBL Charge 3 vs Sonos Roam 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs JBL Flip 4
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini 2: $184.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech! More from alanrossreviews →
- Patricio Benadon: Bose SoundLink Flex vs. Mini 2 SE. Music audio quality sound test. Listen 4 different genres!
- techkiste.net: Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs the world ;) (Denon Envaya DSB250, Vifa Reykjavik, iRoar Go)
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Mini 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- See all 23 comparisons
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon
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 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Flossy Carter: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Charge Essential More from FlossyCarter →
- Techder Audios: JBL EXTREME 3 VS JBL CHARGE ESSENTIAL More from techderaudios →
- The Tech Files: JBL CHARGE ESSENTIAL VS CHARGE ESSENTIAL 2 COMPARATIVO AMBIENTE EXTERNO
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge Essential Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam 2
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