Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2. It ranks #37 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $130. The Limitless Innovations TikiTunes ranks #150, rated 2.0/5, at $40, $90 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the JBL Charge Essential 2: 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. The catch: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
What the Limitless Innovations TikiTunes does well: Distinctive flickering-flame LED design: the most-praised feature in owner reviews. The tradeoff: Pretty much no bass at all, weird tuning.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $90 saving on the Limitless Innovations TikiTunes is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Limitless Innovations TikiTunes | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $40 |
| Ranked | #37 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #150 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 185Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 9 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 0.7 lbs (0.3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 4” x 4” x 6.5” (102 x 102 x 165 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 2” (51mm) full-range drivers |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP65 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 5W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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: $130 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5.
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 |
| 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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Limitless Innovations TikiTunes: $40 Amazon eBay
Pros: Distinctive flickering-flame LED design: the most-praised feature in owner reviews. IP65 rated. ~16.5 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of 185Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Pretty much no bass at all, weird tuning. Sounds very very bad
Full Limitless Innovations TikiTunes review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 5W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 185Hz |
| Battery Life | 9 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4” x 4” x 6.5” (102 x 102 x 165 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” (51mm) full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (0.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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