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 Bogasing M5 ranks #61, rated 3.5/5, at $52.99, $21.92 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick 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 catch: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
The Bogasing M5 is the longer-running pick. A compact, backpack friendly speaker with very long battery life and USB-C charging at a budget price. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge Essential 2. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. The catch: Front/rear driver configuration.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $21.92 with the Bogasing M5 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full 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 compact, backpack friendly speaker with very long battery life and USB-C charging at a budget price.
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 M5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74.91 | $52.99 |
| Ranked | #39 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #61 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 61Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | No | No (front/rear drivers) |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 1.7 lbs (757 g) |
| 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) | 6.3” x 3” x 2.8” (160 x 76 x 71 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 30W system |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 40W |
| 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 | - |
| Maximum SPL | - | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| USB Playback | - | Yes |
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