Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE if sound quality matters most, the Soundcore 2 if price matters most. The JBL Charge Essential 3 SE ranks #42 of 182 medium speakers, rated 3.7/5, at $199.95. The Soundcore 2 ranks #105, rated 3.0/5, at $29.99, $169.96 cheaper.
The JBL Charge Essential 3 SE is the better-sounding option. 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 Soundcore 2 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Soundcore 2 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: 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 Soundcore 2 is the lighter choice. A cheap, light waterproof stereo speaker with a long rated battery, an aux input and pairing with a second unit. At 0.7 lbs (318 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE at 2.1 lbs (960 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. The catch: Bass is specified only down to 70Hz, so the low end is limited.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full 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 | Soundcore 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $29.99 |
| Ranked | #42 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast) | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 0.7 lbs (318 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 6.6” x 1.9” x 2.2” (168 x 47 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm x 90mm racetrack woofer, 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators | 2x 38mm fullrange |
| Amplifier Power | 40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter) | 12W |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A) | Micro USB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge Essential 3 SE: reviews by Mateusz Cholewa.
- Soundcore 2: reviews by Aphid Tech and SoulOfTech.
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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