Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2. It ranks #39 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $74.91; the B&O Beosound Explore ranks #142, rated 2.5/5, and costs $294.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The JBL Charge Essential 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A simpler, tough waterproof speaker with punchy sound, long battery life and a phone charging port, great when found on sale. Its bass reaches about 55Hz before falling 10dB, against 70Hz for the B&O Beosound Explore. The catch: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
The B&O Beosound Explore is the longer-running, lighter option. A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery. It is rated for 27 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge Essential 2. At 1.4 lbs (631 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge Essential 2 at 2.1 lbs (930 g). It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. The tradeoff: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound Explore and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A simpler, tough waterproof speaker with punchy sound, long battery life and a phone charging port, great when found on sale.
A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74.91 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #39 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #142 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 60W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (carabiner) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
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