Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2. It ranks #39 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $74.91 and is still sold new; the JBL Flip 5 ranks #81 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Flip 5’s replacement, the JBL Flip 7, is rated 4.2/5 at $89.95.
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 12 for the JBL Flip 5. The tradeoff: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
The JBL Flip 5 is the lighter choice. Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. At 1.2 lbs (540 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge Essential 2 at 2.1 lbs (930 g). It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the JBL Charge Essential 2 cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. Watch for: Boosted upper bass.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Flip 5 is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74.91 | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #39 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #81 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (lanyard) |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 200ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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 12, 2026 at 4:13 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: $74.91 Sam’s Club $74.91 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5, released Apr 2026. It adds app control, adjustable EQ, stereo pairing and party mode.
Older model: the JBL Charge Essential (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge Essential generation.
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 JBL 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 JBL 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 →
| Released | Aug 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 141 comparisons
JBL Flip 5: $64.97 Discontinued Amazon $64.97 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older model: the JBL Flip 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5). See every JBL Flip generation.
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass. Piercing sound when turned up. Peaky lower treble at higher volumes. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 5 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: UE Wonderboom 2 review and sound test - vs Flip 5 - Flip 4 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Pro - two versions compared - was it broken? 🤔
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- Techder Audios: #JBL Flip 5 VS #JBL Flip Essential "IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON!?" More from techderaudios →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Flip 7 Review - Is It Worth Upgrading Over The JBL Flip 6 Or Flip 5? More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons