Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Revolve for 360 sound, the JBL Charge Essential 2 for its power bank. The Charge Essential 2 charges other devices and costs $64 less, but is not stereo and has slightly less bass than a Charge 5. The Revolve delivers consistent 360 sound, at the cost of strange sizzling treble with peaks and dips.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Bose Soundlink Revolve is discontinued, so it is only available used.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Charge Essential 2 is rated for 20 hours, the Bose Soundlink Revolve only 12 hours.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Charge Essential 2 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Revolve at IPX4 (splashing).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Revolve | JBL Charge Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $194.00 Discontinued | $130 |
| Ranked | #60 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #39 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | ~55Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (660 g) | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 3.2” x 6” x 3.2” (82 x 152 x 82 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| App | Bose Connect | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Drivers | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 40W |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Charge Essential 2 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Earfun Uboom L
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Minirig 4
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 Revolve: $194.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II), ranked higher, rated 3.6/5.
Pros: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers. Measured bass extension of 64.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Strange sizzling treble, peaks and dips. Overly boosted boomy bass at 75Hz. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Revolve review and specifications →
| App | Bose Connect |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.2” x 6” x 3.2” (82 x 152 x 82 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (660 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org) More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Live Reviews and Q&A! Bose Soundbar, Monoprice Monitors, Bluetooth Speakers and more.
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Sonos Play
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Turtlebox Ranger
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore 3
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs W-King D320
- See all 73 comparisons
JBL Charge Essential 2: $130 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5.
Pros: A tough, compact 930g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, USB-C charging, a USB-A power-bank output and a claimed 20-hour battery life. It delivers much of the Charge 5’s familiar punch and volume in a simpler package, with bass that reaches roughly 55Hz for this size. Measured bass extension of ~55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option. It plays mono, has a little less bass authority than the Charge 5, and its IPX7 rating does not promise dust protection. Choose it for a good sale price, not for extra features.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| 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 |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
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- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
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- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Charge Essential 3 SE
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