Short answer: the EarFun Uboom L. It ranks #2 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $49.79; 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 catch: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
The EarFun Uboom L is the better-sounding, lighter choice. A great value medium speaker with clear, natural sound, waterproofing, and a Video Mode that keeps audio in sync with video. At 1.4 lbs (650 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge Essential 2 at 2.1 lbs (930 g). 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. Watch for: It cannot produce real low-bass rumble or fill a large, noisy space, and the top end loses some detail.
Buy the EarFun Uboom L. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge Essential 2 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one 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 great value medium speaker with clear, natural sound, waterproofing, and a Video Mode that keeps audio in sync with video.
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 | EarFun Uboom L | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74.91 | $49.79 after coupon UBOOMLWC |
| Ranked | #39 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #2 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (firmware >= 1.2.6) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (10 band, firmware >= 1.2.6) |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 1.4 lbs (650 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) | 3.1” x 8.3” x 2.8” (78 x 210 x 72 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 55mm drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 28W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | AAC, SBC |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 216ms |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 400ms normal / 66ms low latency mode |
| Maximum SPL | - | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
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