Short answer: the JBL Charge 2 for better sound quality, the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 2 ranks #69 of 136 medium speakers at $149. The Ultimate Ears Boom 4 ranks #88 at $105, $44 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 2 offers: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. Set against that: Bass compression at higher volumes.
The case for the Ultimate Ears Boom 4: IP67 rated, floats, and finally charges via USB-C instead of the older Booms’ Micro-USB. The catch: Not much improvement over the old ones.
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 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 2 | Ultimate Ears Boom 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 Discontinued | $105 |
| Ranked | #69 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #88 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange | 2x 1.57" (40mm) active drivers + 2x 1.81" x 2.57" (46.1 x 65.2mm) passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) | 7.2" x 2.9" x 2.9" (184 x 73 x 73 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 15W RMS | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (via app) |
| App | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg | 1.4 lbs / 620 g |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Max Volume | - | 85dBC |
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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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Ultimate Ears Boom 4: $105 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and finally charges via USB-C instead of the older Booms’ Micro-USB. 15 hour battery. Customizable EQ and speaker-pairing via the UE app.
Cons: Not much improvement over the old ones. Weak bass extension and thuddy bass. Gets distorted above 90%
Full Ultimate Ears Boom 4 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.2" x 2.9" x 2.9" (184 x 73 x 73 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.57" (40mm) active drivers + 2x 1.81" x 2.57" (46.1 x 65.2mm) passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 85dBC |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 620 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Ultimate Ears Boom 4 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Ultimate Ears Boom 4 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
- Ultimate Ears Boom 4 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
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