Short answer: the JBL Charge 2 for better sound quality, the Soundcore 2 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 2 ranks #69 of 136 medium speakers at $149. The Soundcore 2 ranks #81 at $29.98, $119.02 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 2 offers: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. Social Mode pairs up to 3 phones; works as a speakerphone. Watch for: Bass compression at higher volumes. Warm sound. slightly rolled off treble. Not as loud as other speakers.
What the Soundcore 2 offers: 24+ hour battery life from a 5200mAh cell. Very light (0.8 lb) and compact. IPX7 rated with a soft, grippy silicone coating. Watch for: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others
Buy the JBL Charge 2 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Soundcore 2 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Soundcore 2 is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Charge 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 2 | Soundcore 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 Discontinued | $29.98 |
| Ranked | #69 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #81 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange | 2x 38mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) | 6.6" x 1.9" x 2.2" (168 x 47 x 56 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 15W RMS | 12W |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| App | No | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg | 0.7 lbs / 318 g |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
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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
JBL Charge 2: $149 Discontinued eBay
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore 2: $29.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: 24+ hour battery life from a 5200mAh cell. Very light (0.8 lb) and compact. IPX7 rated with a soft, grippy silicone coating.
Cons: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others
Full Soundcore 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.6" x 1.9" x 2.2" (168 x 47 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 12W |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 318 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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