JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Sony XB33

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2. It ranks #39 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $74.91 and is still sold new; the Sony XB33 ranks #77 (rated 3.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony XB33’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 3, is rated 3.4/5 at $208.

JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Sony XB33

The JBL Charge Essential 2 is the better-sounding choice. A tough, compact 2.1 lbs (930 g) 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.

Why pick the Sony XB33: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). It links with other speakers (Party Connect up to 100 speakers), which the JBL Charge Essential 2 cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential 2. The catch: Not very loud.

Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sony XB33 is discontinued, so it is only available used.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check JBL Charge Essential 2 price at Sam’s Club ($74.91) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Charge Essential 2 Sony XB33
Price$74.91$110 Discontinued
Ranked#39 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#77 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppNoYes (Sony Music Connect App)
Bass Extension (-10dB)~55Hz50Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQNoYes (3 band)
Party ModeNoYes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A)Yes (USB-A)
StereoNoYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Weight2.1 lbs (930 g)2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth Version5.15.0
Dimensions8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)9.7” x 3.8” x 4.2” (246 x 97 x 106 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)-
IP RatingIPX7IP67
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Amplifier Power40W16W RMS
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Bluetooth CodecsSBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified)SBC, AAC, LDAC
Aux InputNoNo
TWSNoYes
StrapNo-
Bluetooth Latency-110ms
Maximum SPL-97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Lights-Yes
Check JBL Charge Essential 2 price at Sam’s Club ($74.91) →

How JBL Charge Essential 2 compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Charge Essential 2: $74.91 Sam’s Club $74.91 eBay

JBL Charge Essential 2 ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5, released Apr 2026. It adds app control, adjustable EQ, stereo pairing and party mode.

Older model: the JBL Charge Essential (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge Essential generation.

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 JBL 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 JBL 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 →

ReleasedAug 2022 (4 years ago)
Amplifier Power40W
AppNo
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)~55Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified)
Bluetooth Version5.1
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter
EQNo
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIPX7
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes (USB-A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapNo
TWSNo
Weight2.1 lbs (930 g)
Check current price at Sam’s Club ($74.91) →Search eBay for JBL Charge Essential 2 →

Sony XB33: $110 Discontinued eBay

Sony XB33 ranking card

Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Apr 2025.

Older models: the Sony SRS-XB31 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB30 (ranked lower, rated 2.6/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.

Pros: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). App-controlled color LED lighting, Party Connect links up to 100 speakers. ~19 hour real-world battery without lights. Measured bass extension of 50Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Not very loud. Upper bass peaks, midrange dip, upper midrange peaks, not very neutral. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically. Discontinued.

Full Sony XB33 review and specifications →

ReleasedMay 2020 (6 years ago)
Amplifier Power16W RMS
AppYes (Sony Music Connect App)
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)50Hz
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Latency110ms
Bluetooth Version5.0
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions9.7” x 3.8” x 4.2” (246 x 97 x 106 mm)
Drivers2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators
EQYes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67
LightsYes
Maximum SPL97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSYes
Weight2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)
Search eBay for Sony XB33 →