These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #39 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $129.99; the Marshall Stockwell III ranks #84 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $249.99.
The JBL Charge Essential 2 is the lighter, tougher choice. A simpler, tough waterproof speaker with punchy sound, long battery life and a phone charging port, great when found on sale. At 2.1 lbs (930 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Marshall Stockwell III at 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg). It is rated IPX7 against IP55 for the Marshall Stockwell III. Watch for: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
The Marshall Stockwell III is the longer-running option. A stylish, rugged speaker with a very long battery you can swap yourself, a detailed app EQ, and power bank charging. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge Essential 2. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. The catch: Highs are recessed by default and need the treble control maxed to compensate, still lacking detail even then.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 ($129.99) for a medium speaker; the Marshall Stockwell III ($249.99) suits a large speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Marshall Stockwell III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $249.99 |
| Ranked | #39 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #84 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (parametric, via app) |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes |
| Stereo | No | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| 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) | 7.1” x 6.4” x 2.9” (180 x 162 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 1x 3” woofer, 2x 1.75” wide-band drivers |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 54Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP55 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 44W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, AAC, LE Audio with LC3 |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
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