Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Flare 2 for the lower price. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #35 of 136 medium speakers at $130. The Soundcore Flare 2 ranks #105 at $80, $50 cheaper.
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 Soundcore Flare 2 offers: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it Watch for: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Soundcore Flare 2 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Soundcore Flare 2. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge Essential 2 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the Soundcore Flare 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Soundcore Flare 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $80 |
| Ranked | #35 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 930 g | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Output Power | 40W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:
- Bose Soundlink Flex vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Bose Soundlink Flex vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Bose Soundlink Flex vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Charge 3
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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Amazon eBay
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton III
- See all 73 comparisons