Short answer: the JBL Charge 2 for better sound quality, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 2 ranks #69 of 136 medium speakers at $149. The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 ranks #86 at $80, $69 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 2 gets right: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. The tradeoff: Bass compression at higher volumes.
What the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 offers: IP67 rated and floats. Set against that: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble.
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 Wonderboom 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 2 | Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 Discontinued | $80 |
| Ranked | #69 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #86 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange | 2x 40mm active drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) | 4.1" x 3.8" (104 x 95.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 15W RMS | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| App | No | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg | 0.9 lbs / 420 g |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 82Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 88dB |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| Stereo | - | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
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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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Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2: $80 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated and floats. Compact and light enough to toss in a bag.
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble. Slightly boosted 93hz upper bass Dip at 9khz. You can tell from the micro USB that they are just feeding you the same crap hardware over and over, this is inexcusable for a product released in 2019. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 82Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 3.8" (104 x 95.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm active drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 88dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 420 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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