Short answer: the Bogasing G4. It ranks #27 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $42.49; the JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #39, rated 3.8/5, and costs $74.91, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the JBL Charge Essential 2: A simpler, tough waterproof speaker with punchy sound, long battery life and a phone charging port, great when found on sale. The tradeoff: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
The case for the Bogasing G4: A light, affordable waterproof speaker with surprisingly strong bass for its size, solid loudness, long battery life and stereo pairing. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential 2. Watch for: The upper treble is boosted and uneven, while the mids sit slightly behind the bass and highs, so it is not a neutral choice for vocal-focused music.
Buy the Bogasing G4. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge Essential 2 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A simpler, tough waterproof speaker with punchy sound, long battery life and a phone charging port, great when found on sale.
A light, affordable waterproof speaker with surprisingly strong bass for its size, solid loudness, long battery life and stereo pairing.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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 Essential 2 | Bogasing G4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74.91 | $42.49 |
| Ranked | #39 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 1.8 lbs (0.83 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8.9”H x 2.5”W x 3.4”D (225 x 64 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | Two drivers and passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | LE Audio with LC3 |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 16ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 90ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
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