Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Huawei Sound Joy is the better pick: it ranks #40 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5), against #91 (rated 3.2/5) for the JBL Charge Essential. If you want one new, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE replaces the JBL Charge Essential and 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. Watch for: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
The Huawei Sound Joy is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. A waterproof speaker with a separate tweeter, long battery life and good loudness, with a Devialet mode for its best sound. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge Essential. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: Boosted treble, not quite as deep of bass as a JBL Charge 5.
Buy the Huawei Sound Joy only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, which replaces the JBL Charge Essential.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A waterproof speaker with long battery life that charges your phone and pairs with a second unit for stereo.
A waterproof speaker with a separate tweeter, long battery life and good loudness, with a Devialet mode for its best sound.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Huawei Sound Joy | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 Discontinued | $180 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #91 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 177 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes (3 microphones) |
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