Short answer: the JBL Charge 6 for better sound quality, the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 6 ranks #11 of 136 medium speakers at $199.95. The Bose Soundlink Mini 2 ranks #55 at $184, $15.95 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Charge 6: Seems more neutral than the Charge 5. Flatter frequency response through the mids and treble as the Charge 5 was quite rolled off up high. The tradeoff: Still some boosted bass by default. Mids are recessed. Bright above 2khz.
What the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 offers: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8. Watch for: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini.
Buy the JBL Charge 6 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 6 is rated for 24 hours versus 10 hours for the Bose Soundlink Mini 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Charge 6 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 6 | Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $184.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #11 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #55 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP68 | None |
| Max Volume | 102dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 9" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Proprietary connector |
| Output Power | 45W | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 21, 2026 at 5:30 AM 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 6: $199.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: Seems more neutral than the Charge 5. Flatter frequency response through the mids and treble as the Charge 5 was quite rolled off up high. Use this EQ from Joy/Oluv and turn down the lowest bass slider for the best sound quality. Oluv has even more paid EQs specifically for the GG and TL models indoors and outdoors here
Cons: Still some boosted bass by default. Mids are recessed. Bright above 2khz. Quite a V shaped frequency response.
Full JBL Charge 6 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 9" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 102dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 45W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs SoundCore Boom 2 - David vs Goliath
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - basstest (bigger=better?)
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6, Xtreme 4 & Earfun UBoom X - taking sound to the top
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 6 or the JBL Charge 5? don’t go home till you watch this! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown!
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - better with EQ?
- Oluv Patreon: An evening with the “best portable speakers”?
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Plus vs JBL Charge 6 - fight!
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge 6 🎶👌Unboxing 📦vs Jbl Charge 5 Short Test Audio i Hz. More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Review - Worth Upgrading Even If You Have The JBL Charge 5 More from GYMCADDY →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 6 - good or bad?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 6 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bose Soundlink Mini 2: $184.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech! More from alanrossreviews →
- Patricio Benadon: Bose SoundLink Flex vs. Mini 2 SE. Music audio quality sound test. Listen 4 different genres!
- techkiste.net: Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs the world ;) (Denon Envaya DSB250, Vifa Reykjavik, iRoar Go)
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Mini 2 Review
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