Short answer: the Earfun Uboom Slim. It ranks #41 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $79. The JBL Charge Essential ranks #78, rated 3.2/5, at $73.99, $5.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Earfun Uboom Slim: Excellent pricing, strong waterproof build (IPX7), good battery life (16 hours), smooth sound with volume compensation, speakerphone capability. The catch: Not as deep bass as others.
The case for the JBL Charge Essential: Doubles as a power bank. The catch: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the Earfun Uboom Slim. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $5.01 with the JBL Charge Essential does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Earfun Uboom Slim | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79 | $73.99 |
| Ranked | #41 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #78 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~63Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (560 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Drivers | 45mm speaker drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 20W RMS |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 2.6”H x 7.1”W x 2.6”D (65 x 180 x 65 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Earfun Uboom Slim compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom L vs Earfun Uboom Slim
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Earfun Uboom Slim
- JBL Charge 6 vs Earfun Uboom Slim
- JBL Flip 6 vs Earfun Uboom Slim
- JBL Flip 7 vs Earfun Uboom Slim
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
Earfun Uboom Slim: $79 eBay
Pros: Excellent pricing, strong waterproof build (IPX7), good battery life (16 hours), smooth sound with volume compensation, speakerphone capability. Measured bass extension of ~63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as deep bass as others. Warm tuned, peaks in the mids and lower treble, rolled off upper treble
Full Earfun Uboom Slim review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~63Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.6”H x 7.1”W x 2.6”D (65 x 180 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm speaker drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (560 g) |
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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
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