Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2 if sound quality matters most, the Walla Sound if price matters most. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #37 of 142 medium speakers at $130. The Walla Sound ranks #129 at $49.99, $80.01 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge Essential 2 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Walla Sound offers: IPX5 water resistant, 8-hour battery life, shockproof construction, Bluetooth 5.0, MicroSD card support, AUX input, built-in HD microphone, voice assistant compatible, lightweight 300g Watch for: No bass, gets distorted when turned up. Harsh upper mids.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Walla Sound if the price is the priority over sound quality.
The Walla Sound is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 142 medium speakers; there are better options higher up.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Charge Essential 2 is rated for 20 hours, the Walla Sound only 8 hours.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Walla Sound | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $49.99 |
| Ranked | #37 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #129 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | ~90Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | - |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 2.7" x 2.7" x 6.3" (68 x 68 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 30mm metal diaphragm driver |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge Essential 2: $130 eBay
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 |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
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Walla Sound: $49.99 Walla Sound eBay
Pros: IPX5 water resistant, 8-hour battery life, shockproof construction, Bluetooth 5.0, MicroSD card support, AUX input, built-in HD microphone, voice assistant compatible, lightweight 300g. Measured bass extension of ~90Hz (-10dB).
Cons: No bass, gets distorted when turned up. Harsh upper mids.
Full Walla Sound review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~90Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.7" x 2.7" x 6.3" (68 x 68 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 30mm metal diaphragm driver |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
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