Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2 on measured sound quality, the Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus on price. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #39 of 182 medium speakers, rated 3.8/5, at $129.99. The Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus ranks #84, rated 3.3/5, at $49.99, $80 cheaper.
The JBL Charge Essential 2 is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. A simpler, tough waterproof speaker with punchy sound, long battery life and a phone charging port, great when found on sale. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus. The catch: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
The case for the Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus: An affordable waterproof speaker with a separate tweeter, app EQ, Auracast linking, stereo pairing and USB-C audio input. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the JBL Charge Essential 2 cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. The catch: In side by side tests by Clinch Audio Bass and Mateusz Cholewa, the Xiaomi Sound Party and Soundcore Boom 3i sounded more refined and fuller, and listeners described the C3 Plus’s treble as dull.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus if the price matters more than sound quality.
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Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $49.99 |
| Ranked | #39 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #84 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (Tronsmart) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours at 50% volume (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (app) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 1.8 lbs (0.81 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 6.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8.3”H x 3.1”W x 3.3”D (210 x 80 x 85 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 1x racetrack woofer + 1x tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (lanyard) |
| Charging Time | - | 4 hours |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge Essential 2: reviews by The Tech Files.
- Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus: reviews by Oluv, Mateusz Cholewa and Techder Audios.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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