Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2. It ranks #37 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5); the Boat Stone 350/352/358 ranks #130 (rated 2.3/5).
Why pick the JBL Charge Essential 2: A tough, compact 930g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, USB-C charging, a USB-A power-bank output and a claimed 20-hour battery life. The tradeoff: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
What the Boat Stone 350/352/358 does well: Long battery life (12 hours), IPX5 water resistant, compact and portable, sturdy build, dual passive radiators. The tradeoff: Some midrange peaks, treble slightly rolled off.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Boat Stone 350/352/358.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Boat Stone 350/352/358 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $15 |
| Ranked | #37 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #130 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 87Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (multiple modes) |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 0.9 lbs (426 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 3.5” x 7.1” (90 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x 45mm drivers |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 10W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Charge Essential 2:
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Earfun Uboom L
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
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- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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 Essential 2: $130 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5.
Pros: A tough, compact 930g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, USB-C charging, a USB-A power-bank output and a claimed 20-hour battery life. It delivers much of the Charge 5’s familiar punch and volume in a simpler package, with bass that reaches roughly 55Hz for this size. Measured bass extension of ~55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option. It plays mono, has a little less bass authority than the Charge 5, and its IPX7 rating does not promise dust protection. Choose it for a good sale price, not for extra features.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
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- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Charge Essential 3 SE
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Teufel Rockster XS
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Earfun Uboom Slim
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Soundcore Motion 100
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Boat Stone 350/352/358: $15 Amazon eBay
Pros: Long battery life (12 hours), IPX5 water resistant, compact and portable, sturdy build, dual passive radiators. Measured bass extension of 87Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Some midrange peaks, treble slightly rolled off. Not much bass. Same hardware as the Dayton Audio Boost
Full Boat Stone 350/352/358 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 87Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 7.1” (90 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x 45mm drivers |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (426 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
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