Short answer: the Harman Kardon Luna 2. It ranks #25 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $199.95 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 JBL Charge Essential is the longer-running option. A waterproof speaker with long battery life that charges your phone and pairs with a second unit for stereo. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Harman Kardon Luna 2. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
The Harman Kardon Luna 2 is the better-sounding pick. A stylish waterproof speaker with clear, spacious mids, tight bass that stays clean at volume, and stereo pairing with a second unit. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: Treble can sound bright and edgy, and it loses more output off-axis than some rivals.
Buy the Harman Kardon Luna 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Charge Essential is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A waterproof speaker with long battery life that charges your phone and pairs with a second unit for stereo.
A stylish waterproof speaker with clear, spacious mids, tight bass that stays clean at volume, and stereo pairing with a second unit.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Harman Kardon Luna 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 Discontinued | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #91 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (4 presets + custom) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 1.6 lbs (735 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.4 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 62mm x 82mm woofer with passive radiator, 20mm tweeter |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 8.5” x 3.3” x 3.2” (216 x 84 x 81 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 40W (25W woofer + 15W tweeter) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| USB Playback | - | No |
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