Short answer: the JBL Charge 5. It ranks #30 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $114.95. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #39, rated 3.8/5, at $74.91, $40.04 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Both double as USB power banks and share an IP67 rating. The Essential 2’s own cons are narrow: it isn’t stereo, and it carries slightly less bass than the Charge 5.
The Charge 5’s complaints are more numerous, if familiar for the line. Warm sound, shouty upper mids, boosted bass, and a price our notes call overly expensive for what it delivers.
Buy the Charge Essential 2 for nearly the same performance at a real discount. Buy the Charge 5 if the nine-place ranking edge is worth $40.04 to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone.
A simpler, tough waterproof speaker with punchy sound, long battery life and a phone charging port, great when found on sale.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | JBL Charge Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $74.91 |
| Ranked | #30 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #39 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 40W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
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