Short answer: the Harman Kardon Luna if sound quality matters most, the JBL Charge Essential 2 if price matters most. The Harman Kardon Luna ranks #22 of 136 medium speakers at $290.99. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #35 at $130, $160.99 cheaper.
What the Harman Kardon Luna offers: Pretty balanced sound besides the boosted bass. Watch for: Not stereo. Boosted bass, not as detailed as higher ranked speakers
What the JBL Charge Essential 2 offers: Doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Close to Charge 5 performance at a lower price. Watch for: Not stereo. Slightly less bass than a Charge 5.
Buy the Harman Kardon Luna if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Battery life favors the JBL Charge Essential 2: rated for 20 hours against 12 hours for the Harman Kardon Luna.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Luna | JBL Charge Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $290.99 | $130 |
| Ranked | #22 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #35 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs / 1.13 kg | 2.1 lbs / 930 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.3" x 3.1" x 3.1" (210 x 78 x 80 mm) | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 48mm x 90mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 40W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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: $290.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Pretty balanced sound besides the boosted bass.
Cons: Not stereo. Boosted bass, not as detailed as higher ranked speakers
Full Harman Kardon Luna review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3" x 3.1" x 3.1" (210 x 78 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 48mm x 90mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs / 1.13 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon Luna - sound demo More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beats Pill vs Harman Luna vs Bose Flex vs Soundcore Motion Plus More from alanrossreviews →
- Storytripper HD: Klipsch Nashville vs Harman Kardon Luna vs Soundcore Motion 300 More from storytripperhd →
- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Luna Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus
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- Harman Kardon Luna vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- Harman Kardon Luna vs JBL Charge 5
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- Harman Kardon Luna vs JBL Flip 7
- See all 72 comparisons
JBL Charge Essential 2: $130 eBay
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Close to Charge 5 performance at a lower price.
Cons: Not stereo. Slightly less bass than a Charge 5.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | 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
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
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