Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2 for better sound quality, the Bogasing M5 for the lower price. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #37 of 142 medium speakers at $130. The Bogasing M5 ranks #55 at $45.59, $84.41 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge Essential 2 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Bogasing M5 offers: Compact enough for a backpack side pocket at under 1.7 lb. Up to 30 hours of battery life. USB-C charging - no proprietary cable to lose. Watch for: Front/rear driver configuration. Use bass mode for the flattest response. Sounds thin in the midrange. Hot treble and rolled off bass in default mode. Treble a bit rolled off in bass mode.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Bogasing M5 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Battery life favors the Bogasing M5: rated for 30 hours against 20 hours for the JBL Charge Essential 2.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Bogasing M5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $45.59 |
| Ranked | #37 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #55 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 61Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | - |
| 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 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 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| USB Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Charge Essential 2 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Earfun Uboom L
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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 Essential 2: $130 eBay
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 |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Bogasing M5: $45.59 Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact enough for a backpack side pocket at under 1.7 lb. Up to 30 hours of battery life. USB-C charging - no proprietary cable to lose. Measured bass extension of 61Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Front/rear driver configuration. Use bass mode for the flattest response. Sounds thin in the midrange. Hot treble and rolled off bass in default mode. Treble a bit rolled off in bass mode.
Full Bogasing M5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 61Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 3" x 2.8" (160 x 76 x 71 mm) |
| Drivers | 30W system |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (757 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons