Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2. It ranks #39 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $74.91; the Klipsch Nashville ranks #85, rated 3.3/5, and costs $84.80, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The JBL Charge Essential 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. 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. Its bass reaches about 55Hz before falling 10dB, against 64Hz for the Klipsch Nashville. Watch for: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
Why pick the Klipsch Nashville: Sturdy rubber-coated build. ~24 hour battery life with fast 18W USB-C charging; can reverse-charge your phone. It links with other speakers (Broadcast Mode), which the JBL Charge Essential 2 cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. The tradeoff: Upper bass boost.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Klipsch Nashville and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Klipsch Nashville | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74.91 | $84.80 |
| Ranked | #39 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #85 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | ~64Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 2.1 lbs (970 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 7” x 3.1” x 3.2” (178 x 78 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 57mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| 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 | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 89dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Charge Essential 2 compares with other leading options:
- 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.
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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) |
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Klipsch Nashville: $84.80 Amazon $84.80 eBay
Same family: the Klipsch Austin (smaller model, rated 3.7/5) and the Klipsch Detroit (larger model, rated 3.1/5).
Pros: Sturdy rubber-coated build. ~24 hour battery life with fast 18W USB-C charging; can reverse-charge your phone. IP67 rated. Measured bass extension of ~64Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Upper bass boost. Bass not as deep as the top ranked speakers. Boosted lower treble, sounds a little harsh like most Klipsch speakers.
Full Klipsch Nashville review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~64Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7” x 3.1” x 3.2” (178 x 78 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 57mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 89dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (970 g) |
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