Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It ranks #11 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $395 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge Essential ranks #91 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Charge Essential’s replacement, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.7/5 at $199.95.
The case for the JBL Charge Essential: A waterproof speaker with long battery life that charges your phone and pairs with a second unit for stereo. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen is the better-sounding, lighter pick. A premium waterproof puck speaker with balanced sound, a built in strap, and a long battery for travel. At 1.2 lbs (558 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge Essential at 1.7 lbs (770 g). It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Charge Essential is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A waterproof speaker with long battery life that charges your phone and pairs with a second unit for stereo.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with balanced sound, a built in strap, and a long battery for travel.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 Discontinued | $395.00 |
| Ranked | #91 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #11 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.8”H (133 x 133 x 46 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 60W total (2x 30W Class D) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 58Hz |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 90ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
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