Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs JBL Charge 5

Last updated: September 1, 2026

Short answer: the Harman Kardon Luna 2 on measured sound quality, the JBL Charge 5 on price. The Harman Kardon Luna 2 ranks #22 of 138 medium speakers at $199.95. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #27 at $134.95, $65 cheaper.

On the Harman Kardon Luna 2 side: Articulate, spacious midrange with precise imaging and instrument separation. Tight, well-controlled bass from the 62mm x 82mm woofer and passive radiator despite the compact body, and it stays cleaner at volume than pricier rivals like the Sonos Play. Set against that: Treble can sound bright and edgy, and it loses more output off-axis than some rivals. Some listeners hear mid-range rattling on certain tracks, similar to sibling JBL models. 12-hour battery life trails category leaders like the JBL Charge 6, which doubles it.

What the JBL Charge 5 gets right: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. ~20 hour battery life. The tradeoff: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.

Buy the Harman Kardon Luna 2 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the JBL Charge 5 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.

Battery life favors the JBL Charge 5: rated for 20 hours against 12 hours for the Harman Kardon Luna 2.

Buy the Harman Kardon Luna 2 at Amazon ($199.95) →Buy the JBL Charge 5 at Amazon ($134.95) →

Harman Kardon Luna 2 vs JBL Charge 5

Specifications Side By Side

Harman Kardon Luna 2 JBL Charge 5
Price$199.95$134.95
Ranked#22 of 138 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#27 of 138 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Aux InputNoNo
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBCAAC, SBC
EQYes (4 presets + custom)Yes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67IP67
MicroSD PlaybackNo-
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
StereoNoNo
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
USB PlaybackNo-
Weight1.6 lbs / 735 g2.1 lbs / 960 g
Bluetooth Version5.45.1
Dimensions8.5" x 3.3" x 3.2" (216 x 84 x 81 mm)8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)
Drivers62mm x 82mm woofer with passive radiator, 20mm tweeter53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter
Frequency Response58Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified)60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Output Power40W (25W woofer + 15W tweeter)40W
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)-53Hz
Bluetooth Latency-125ms
Max Volume-99dB
Party Mode-Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power Bank-Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
Built in Microphone-Yes (dual microphones)
Buy the Harman Kardon Luna 2 at Amazon ($199.95) →Buy the JBL Charge 5 at Amazon ($134.95) →

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Prices on this page were last checked September 1, 2026 at 2:15 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

Harman Kardon Luna 2: $199.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

Harman Kardon Luna 2 ranking card

Pros: Articulate, spacious midrange with precise imaging and instrument separation. Tight, well-controlled bass from the 62mm x 82mm woofer and passive radiator despite the compact body, and it stays cleaner at volume than pricier rivals like the Sonos Play. IP67 rated, and two units pair via AirTouch for true stereo sound.

Cons: Treble can sound bright and edgy, and it loses more output off-axis than some rivals. Some listeners hear mid-range rattling on certain tracks, similar to sibling JBL models. 12-hour battery life trails category leaders like the JBL Charge 6, which doubles it. Single unit is not stereo (1.1 driver layout).

Full Harman Kardon Luna 2 review and specifications →

AppYes
Aux InputNo
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.4
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions8.5" x 3.3" x 3.2" (216 x 84 x 81 mm)
Drivers62mm x 82mm woofer with passive radiator, 20mm tweeter
EQYes (4 presets + custom)
Frequency Response58Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67
MicroSD PlaybackNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power40W (25W woofer + 15W tweeter)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight1.6 lbs / 735 g
Check current price at Amazon ($199.95) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for Harman Kardon Luna 2 →

JBL Charge 5: $134.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Charge 5 ranking card

Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. ~20 hour battery life.

Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.

Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →

AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC
Bluetooth Latency125ms
Bluetooth Version5.1
Built in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter
EQYes (3 band)
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67
Max Volume99dB
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power40W
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSYes
Weight2.1 lbs / 960 g
Check current price at Amazon ($134.95) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Charge 5 →