Short answer: the JBL Charge 4. It ranks #50 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $119.95; the JBL Charge 2 ranks #69 and costs $149, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Charge 2 offers: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. Set against that: Bass compression at higher volumes.
The case for the JBL Charge 4: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. The catch: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver.
One note: the JBL Charge 2 is discontinued, but it still ranks #69 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the JBL Charge 4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 4 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Charge 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 2 | JBL Charge 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 Discontinued | $119.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #69 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #50 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 15W RMS | 30W RMS |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| App | No | - |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 54Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 330ms |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Stereo | - | No |
| TWS | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 2: $149 Discontinued
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. Social Mode pairs up to 3 phones; works as a speakerphone.
Cons: Bass compression at higher volumes. Warm sound. slightly rolled off treble. Not as loud as other speakers. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 15W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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JBL Charge 4: $119.95 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers.
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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