Short answer: the Harman Kardon Luna 2 if sound quality matters most, the JBL Charge Essential 2 if price matters most. The Harman Kardon Luna 2 ranks #25 of 177 medium speakers, rated 4.1/5, at $199.95. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #39, rated 3.8/5, at $74.91, $125.04 cheaper.
The JBL Charge Essential 2 is the longer-running choice. A simpler, tough waterproof speaker with punchy sound, long battery life and a phone charging port, great when found on sale. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Harman Kardon Luna 2. The catch: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
The Harman Kardon Luna 2 is the lighter choice. A stylish waterproof speaker with clear, spacious mids, tight bass that stays clean at volume, and stereo pairing with a second unit. At 1.6 lbs (735 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge Essential 2 at 2.1 lbs (930 g). It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. The catch: Treble can sound bright and edgy, and it loses more output off-axis than some rivals.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Harman Kardon Luna 2 if sound quality matters more than the price.
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 stylish waterproof speaker with clear, spacious mids, tight bass that stays clean at volume, and stereo pairing with a second unit.
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 | Harman Kardon Luna 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74.91 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #39 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (4 presets + custom) |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 1.6 lbs (735 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8.5” x 3.3” x 3.2” (216 x 84 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 62mm x 82mm woofer with passive radiator, 20mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 40W (25W woofer + 15W tweeter) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| USB Playback | - | No |
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