Short answer: the Huawei Sound Joy if sound quality matters most, the JBL Charge Essential if price matters most. The Huawei Sound Joy ranks #38 of 142 medium speakers at $180. The JBL Charge Essential ranks #71 at $73.99, $106.01 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge Essential offers: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
What the Huawei Sound Joy offers: Use Devialet and +6db EQ for best sound quality Watch for: Boosted treble, not quite as deep of bass as a Charge 5. Very expensive
Buy the JBL Charge Essential when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Huawei Sound Joy when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Huawei Sound Joy | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 | $180 |
| Ranked | #71 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #38 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (with G-sensor orientation switching) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C (5V/2A, 9V/2A, 10V/4A) |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 1x 50x75mm racetrack woofer (20W) + 1x 19mm silk dome tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 8" x 2.9" (202 x 73 mm) (height x width) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 30W total (20W + 10W) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | AAC, SBC |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Stereo | - | No |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes (3 microphones) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
Full JBL Charge Essential review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
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Huawei Sound Joy: $180 Aliexpress eBay
Pros: Use Devialet and +6db EQ for best sound quality. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted treble, not quite as deep of bass as a Charge 5. Very expensive
Full Huawei Sound Joy review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 30W total (20W + 10W) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (3 microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8" x 2.9" (202 x 73 mm) (height x width) |
| Drivers | 1x 50x75mm racetrack woofer (20W) + 1x 19mm silk dome tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (with G-sensor orientation switching) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/2A, 9V/2A, 10V/4A) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
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