Short answer: the Charge Essential 2 for the power bank, the Motion 100 for a flatter EQ. The Charge Essential 2 doubles as a power bank but is not stereo. The Soundcore Motion 100 needs Oluv’s EQ to reach its flattest response, and even then its bass is not very deep and there is slight distortion.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Soundcore Motion 100 is no longer sold new.
Battery life favors the JBL Charge Essential 2: rated for 20 hours against 12 hours for the Soundcore Motion 100.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Soundcore Motion 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $47 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #37 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 65Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 1.3 lbs (575 g) |
| 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) | 7.5” x 3.1” x 2.4” (190 x 80 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | AAC, LDAC, SBC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Charge Essential 2 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Earfun Uboom L
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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: $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) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Huawei Sound Joy
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Charge Essential 3 SE
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Teufel Rockster XS
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Earfun Uboom Slim
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- See all 135 comparisons
Soundcore Motion 100: $47 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Use Oluv’s EQ for the flattest response. Measured bass extension of 65Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not very deep bass, slight distortion. Real-world battery falls well short of the 12-hour claim at higher volumes (closer to 4 hours at max). Charging takes about 5 hours; no charge-out for other devices. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Soundcore Motion 100 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 3.1” x 2.4” (190 x 80 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (575 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs JBL Pulse 5
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs Soundcore Glow
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs W-King D320
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- See all 73 comparisons