Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2. It ranks #39 of 164 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $130 and is still sold new; the EFM Toledo ranks #152 (rated 2.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The JBL Charge Essential 2 is the better-sounding, longer-running option. A tough, compact 2.1 lbs (930 g) speaker with IPX7 water resistance, USB-C charging, a USB-A power-bank output and a claimed 20-hour battery life. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 15 for the EFM Toledo. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
The EFM Toledo is the lighter pick. A compact 1.1 lbs (500 g) speaker with dual drivers, IPX6 protection, speakerphone capability, TWS pairing and a claimed 15-hour battery life. At 1.1 lbs (500 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge Essential 2 at 2.1 lbs (930 g). The catch: With only 10W output, bass is very limited and treble rolls off early, so music lacks the weight, detail and headroom of stronger portable speakers.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the EFM Toledo is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | EFM Toledo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #39 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #152 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | - |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 3.9” x 3.9” x 9.1” (100 x 100 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x drivers |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX6 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 10W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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
- 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 October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Huawei Sound Joy
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Teufel Rockster XS
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Charge Essential 3 SE
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Earfun Uboom Slim
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Soundcore Motion 100
- See all 140 comparisons
EFM Toledo: $99 Discontinued eBay
Pros: A compact 500g speaker with dual drivers, IPX6 protection, speakerphone capability, TWS pairing and a claimed 15-hour battery life. Its simple, rugged format makes it easy to carry for podcasts, background music and casual use around water.
Cons: With only 10W output, bass is very limited and treble rolls off early, so music lacks the weight, detail and headroom of stronger portable speakers. It has no aux input, app or EQ, and this discontinued model is best considered only if its compact weather-resistant design is the priority.
Full EFM Toledo review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 3.9” x 9.1” (100 x 100 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- EFM Toledo vs Ultimate Ears Roll 2
- EFM Toledo vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
- EFM Toledo vs Marshall Emberton II
- EFM Toledo vs Marshall Emberton III
- EFM Toledo vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- EFM Toledo vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- EFM Toledo vs Soundcore 2
- EFM Toledo vs Sony ULT Field 1
- See all 35 comparisons