Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential for its power bank feature, the Bose Soundlink Mini for build quality. The Charge Essential doubles as a power bank, but it has less clarity than the Flip 4 and rolled off highs. The Mini has a compact aluminum build that feels sturdy and dense, though its upper bass is boosted like most Bose speakers.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential if you want one new; the Bose Soundlink Mini is discontinued, so only look for it used.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Charge Essential is rated for 20 hours, the Bose Soundlink Mini only 10 hours.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Charge Essential is rated at IPX7 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Bose Soundlink Mini at no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $125.00 Discontinued | $73.99 |
| Ranked | #73 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #89 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | Micro USB |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | No |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.1 |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W RMS |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bose Soundlink Mini compares with other leading options:
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- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Minirig 4 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
Bose Soundlink Mini: $125.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Comes with a charging cradle. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
- Links
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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
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