Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2 for better sound quality, the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor for the lower price. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #35 of 136 medium speakers at $130. The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor ranks #41 at $56.80, $73.20 cheaper.
On the JBL Charge Essential 2 side: 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 Xiaomi Sound Outdoor offers: A pretty decent sounding speaker. The catch: Boosted bass. Somewhat uncontrolled in the bass at high levels.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge Essential 2 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Xiaomi Sound Outdoor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $56.80 |
| Ranked | #35 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Speakersync, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 930 g | 1.3 lbs / 597 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 7.7" x 2.7" x 2.6" (196.6 x 68 x 66 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 20W woofer, 10W tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Output Power | 40W | 30W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| TWS | - | Yes |
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- Bose Soundlink Flex vs Minirig Mini 2
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Bose Soundlink Flex vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge Essential 2: $130
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Soundcore Motion 100
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Teufel Rockster XS
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Pulse 5
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Charge 5
- See all 12 comparisons
Xiaomi Sound Outdoor: $56.80 Amazon
Pros: A pretty decent sounding speaker.
Cons: Boosted bass. Somewhat uncontrolled in the bass at high levels
Full Xiaomi Sound Outdoor review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.7" x 2.7" x 2.6" (196.6 x 68 x 66 mm) |
| Drivers | 20W woofer, 10W tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Speakersync, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 597 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs JBL Pulse 5
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Soundcore Motion 100
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Soundcore Glow
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- See all 10 comparisons