Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. It ranks #42 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $199.95. The Marshall Emberton II ranks #129, rated 2.7/5, at $151.99, $47.96 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Charge Essential 3 SE is the better-sounding pick. A fully waterproof speaker with plenty of volume and bass, long battery life, a phone charging port, app EQ and Auracast pairing. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Marshall Emberton II lacks. The catch: In side-by-side listening against the JBL Charge 6, its bass is weaker and less stable and distorts on bass-heavy tracks even with the bass turned down in the app, while a narrow boost in the upper mids makes it sound less natural.
The Marshall Emberton II is the longer-running, lighter pick. A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling, a very long battery and quick charging. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. At 1.5 lbs (700 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE at 2.1 lbs (960 g). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. The catch: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $47.96 saving on the Marshall Emberton II is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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 3 SE | Marshall Emberton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $151.99 |
| Ranked | #42 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #129 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.5 lbs (700 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm x 90mm racetrack woofer, 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators | 2x 2” full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Amplifier Power | 40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter) | 20W |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A) | USB-C |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge Essential 3 SE: reviews by Mateusz Cholewa.
- Marshall Emberton II: reviews by Alan Ross and Passione Speaker.
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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