Short answer: the JBL Charge 6 for better sound quality, the Soundcore 2 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 2 ranks higher than the Soundcore 2 (#93 vs #106 of 175 medium speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $119.95; the Soundcore 2 is rated 3.0/5 at $29.99, $89.96 cheaper.
Why pick the JBL Charge 2: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. The catch: Bass compression at higher volumes.
The Soundcore 2 is the longer-running, lighter choice. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Charge 2. At 0.7 lbs (318 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge 2 at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg). It is rated IPX7 against IPX5 for the JBL Charge 2.
Buy the Soundcore 2 if price matters most. For better sound quality, the JBL Charge 6, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Charge 2, is rated higher but costs $119.95.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 2 | Soundcore 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 Discontinued | $29.99 |
| Ranked | #93 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #106 of 175 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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) |
| Amplifier 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 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge 2
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge 2
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025. See every JBL Charge generation.
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 →
| Released | Sep 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 15W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore 2: $29.99 Amazon $29.99 eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Jan 2021. It adds app control and adjustable EQ, but drops the aux input. See every Soundcore 2 and 3 generation.
Pros: Soundcore 2 uses 2x 38mm fullrange. Its 318 g, claimed 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX7 protection, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: Its 70Hz to 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment.
Full Soundcore 2 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 12W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (318 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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