Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Revolve for better sound quality, the JBL Charge Essential for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Revolve ranks #48 of 136 medium speakers at $220. The JBL Charge Essential ranks #68 at $73.99, $146.01 cheaper.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Revolve: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers. The catch: Not stereo. Strange sizzling treble, peaks and dips.
On the JBL Charge Essential side: Doubles as a power bank. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Revolve is discontinued, but it still ranks #48 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 Revolve 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 12 hours for the Bose Soundlink Revolve.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Charge Essential at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Revolve at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Revolve | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $220.00 Discontinued | $73.99 |
| Ranked | #48 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #68 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | - |
| 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) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 660 g | 1.7 lbs / 770 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 3.2" x 6" x 3.2" (82 x 152 x 82 mm) | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| App | Bose Connect | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| EQ | No | No |
| Drivers | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 20W RMS |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs JBL Charge 2
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Flip 4
- Soundcore Glow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Revolve: $220.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers.
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 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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 →
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Revolve Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore Glow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Pulse 5
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- See all 21 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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