Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2, if you are buying new. The Huawei Sound Joy measures as well as it (#40 vs #39 of 177 medium speakers, 3.8/5 vs 3.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Charge Essential 2 is still sold new at $74.91. The Huawei Sound Joy’s replacement, the Huawei Sound Joy 2, is rated 3.5/5 at $154.73.
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 Huawei Sound Joy is the longer-running, lighter choice. A waterproof speaker with a separate tweeter, long battery life and good loudness, with a Devialet mode for its best sound. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge Essential 2. At 1.5 lbs (680 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: Boosted treble, not quite as deep of bass as a JBL Charge 5.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 new; the Huawei Sound Joy is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete 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 waterproof speaker with a separate tweeter, long battery life and good loudness, with a Devialet mode for its best sound.
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 | Huawei Sound Joy | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74.91 | $180 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #39 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (with G-sensor orientation switching) |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8” x 2.9” (202 x 73 mm) (height x width) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 1x 50x75mm racetrack woofer (20W) + 1x 19mm silk dome tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C (5V/2A, 9V/2A, 10V/4A) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 30W total (20W + 10W) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | AAC, SBC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes (3 microphones) |
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