Short answer: the JBL Charge 6, if you are buying new. The JBL Charge 4 ranks higher than the Marshall Emberton II (#63 vs #127 of 175 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $119.95 and is still sold new.
The JBL Charge 4 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 10dB, against 62Hz for the Marshall Emberton II. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 99dB at full volume, against 88dB for the Marshall Emberton II. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Marshall Emberton II lacks. The catch: 1 Oval driver.
The Marshall Emberton II is the longer-running, lighter pick. 30 hour battery life: among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge 4. At 1.5 lbs (700 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge 4 at 2.1 lbs (960 g). It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge 4 lacks. The tradeoff: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
Buy the JBL Charge 6, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Charge 4; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Marshall Emberton II.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 4 | Marshall Emberton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $94.99 Discontinued | $144.99 |
| Ranked | #63 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #127 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms | 80ms |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.5 lbs (700 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange | 2x 2” full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.7” x 3.7” (220 x 95 x 93 mm) | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS | 20W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Charge 4 compares with other leading options:
- EarFun Uboom L vs JBL Charge 4
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge 4
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge 4
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge 4
- Minirig 4 vs JBL Charge 4
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 4: $94.99 Discontinued Amazon $94.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older models: the JBL Charge 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
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. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a JBL Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Marshall Emberton II: $144.99 Amazon $144.99 eBay
Newer model: the Marshall Emberton III, ranked higher, rated 2.7/5, released Aug 2024. It adds built-in mic.
Older model: the Marshall Emberton (ranked lower, estimated 2.6/5). See every Marshall Portable Speakers generation.
Pros: 30 hour battery life: among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. IP67 rated, durable rubbery build using 50% recycled plastic. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Not very loud.
Full Marshall Emberton II review and specifications →
| Released | May 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (700 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs Marshall Stockwell 2 - little guy goes louder?? 🤓 More from alanrossreviews →
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