Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2 if sound quality matters most, the LG Xboom Grab if price matters most. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #37 of 142 medium speakers at $130. The LG Xboom Grab ranks #85 at $97.73, $32.27 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge Essential 2 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the LG Xboom Grab offers: 20 hour battery life - longer than the JBL Flip 7 or UE Boom 4. IP67 rated with elastic mounting straps. App unlocks AI room calibration, EQ, and light-strip customization; multipoint pairing. Watch for: Bass extension not as deep as the top speakers. Overpriced. This may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the LG Xboom Grab if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | LG Xboom Grab | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $97.73 |
| Ranked | #37 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #85 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 75Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 1x 80x45mm racetrack woofer, 1x 16mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 30W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | AAC, SBC |
| TWS | - | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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: $130 eBay
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 |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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LG Xboom Grab: $97.73 Amazon eBay
Pros: 20 hour battery life - longer than the JBL Flip 7 or UE Boom 4. IP67 rated with elastic mounting straps. App unlocks AI room calibration, EQ, and light-strip customization; multipoint pairing. Measured bass extension of 75Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass extension not as deep as the top speakers. Overpriced. This may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples
Full LG Xboom Grab review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 75Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 1x 80x45mm racetrack woofer, 1x 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- FishBee Product Reviews: LG XBOOM Grab (2025) by Will.i.am - BETTER Than JBL Flip 7?? More from FishBee Product Reviews →
- Mike O’Brien: What Did LG Just Launch? (NEW will.i.am x LG xboom Speakers)
- GYMCADDY: LG’s New xboom Speaker And Earbud Lineup Explained - Meet The Stage 301, Bounce, Grab And Buds! More from GYMCADDY →
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