Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2. It ranks #35 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $130; the Marshall Emberton II ranks #100 and costs $160.23, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the JBL Charge Essential 2 offers: Doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Close to Charge 5 performance at a lower price. Watch for: Not stereo. Slightly less bass than a Charge 5.
What the Marshall Emberton II offers: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. IP67 rated, durable rubbery build using 50% recycled plastic. Watch for: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Not very loud.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Marshall Emberton II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Battery life favors the Marshall Emberton II: rated for 30 hours against 20 hours for the JBL Charge Essential 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Marshall Emberton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $160.23 |
| Ranked | #35 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #100 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 930 g | 1.5 lbs / 700 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 2" full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Output Power | 40W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Max Volume | - | 88dB |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| TWS | - | No |
| Built in Microphone | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Marshall Emberton III
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Marshall Emberton III
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Hifuture Soundpro
- JBL Flip Essential vs Marshall Emberton II
- JBL Flip 7 vs Marshall Emberton II
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Close to Charge 5 performance at a lower price.
Cons: Not stereo. Slightly less bass than a Charge 5.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 930 g |
- Links
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Marshall Emberton II: $160.23 Amazon eBay
Pros: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. IP67 rated, durable rubbery build using 50% recycled plastic.
Cons: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Not very loud.
Full Marshall Emberton II review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 88dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 700 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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