These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The Bose SoundLink Plus ranks #25 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $179; the JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #39 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $74.91.
What the Bose SoundLink Plus does well: A waterproof mid size speaker with vibrant sound, booming bass, clean mids, a long battery and premium build. It links with other speakers (Bose Party mode), which the JBL Charge Essential 2 cannot. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential 2. The catch: Boosted thuddy bass, but not as deep as the SoundLink Flex and you should probably just buy one of those instead if you want a Bose.
The JBL Charge Essential 2 is the lighter option. A simpler, tough waterproof speaker with punchy sound, long battery life and a phone charging port, great when found on sale. At 2.1 lbs (930 g) it weighs much less than the Bose SoundLink Plus at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). The tradeoff: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Plus at $179 for a large speaker, or the JBL Charge Essential 2 at $74.91 for a medium speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Plus | JBL Charge Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.00 | $74.91 |
| Ranked | #25 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #39 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.9” x 3.4” (231 x 99 x 86 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2.5” (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78” (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~55Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 40W |
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