Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2. It ranks #39 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $74.91; the LG Xboom Grab ranks #106, rated 3.0/5, and costs $100.98, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The JBL Charge Essential 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A simpler, tough waterproof speaker with punchy sound, long battery life and a phone charging port, great when found on sale. Its bass reaches about 55Hz before falling 10dB, against 75Hz for the LG Xboom Grab. The tradeoff: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
The LG Xboom Grab is the lighter option. A rugged waterproof speaker with elastic mounting straps, a long 20 hour battery, multipoint pairing and app room calibration. At 1.5 lbs (680 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge Essential 2 at 2.1 lbs (930 g). It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the JBL Charge Essential 2 cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. The catch: Bass extension not as deep as the top speakers.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Grab and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A simpler, tough waterproof speaker with punchy sound, long battery life and a phone charging port, great when found on sale.
A rugged waterproof speaker with elastic mounting straps, a long 20 hour battery, multipoint pairing and app room calibration.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | LG Xboom Grab | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $74.91 | $100.98 |
| Ranked | #39 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #106 of 177 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8.3” x 2.8” x 2.8” (211.0 x 71.6 x 70.0 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 |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (mounting straps) |
| Wi-Fi | - | No |
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