Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential. It ranks #78 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $73.99. The Skullcandy Terrain XT ranks #142, rated 2.1/5, at $38.77, $35.22 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the JBL Charge Essential: Doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off.
The case for the Skullcandy Terrain XT: IPX7 rated with a nylon wrist wrap for carrying. The catch: Shares the Terrain line’s tuning: no bass, very rolled off treble, and distortion in the treble.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $35.22 you would save on the Skullcandy Terrain XT does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Skullcandy Terrain XT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 | $38.77 |
| Ranked | #78 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #142 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (SKDY Multi-Link, up to 99 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 1.6 lbs (720 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 48mm drivers + passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 3.1” x 3.1” x 6.3” (79 x 79 x 160 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| 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 | Yes (wrist strap) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 90dB SPL (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5.
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 |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
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Skullcandy Terrain XT: $38.77 Amazon eBay
Pros: IPX7 rated with a nylon wrist wrap for carrying. 14 hour battery life. Multi-Link pairs it with other Skullcandy speakers.
Cons: Shares the Terrain line’s tuning: no bass, very rolled off treble, and distortion in the treble. Costs more than the standard Terrain without sounding better.
Full Skullcandy Terrain XT review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.1” x 3.1” x 6.3” (79 x 79 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB SPL (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (SKDY Multi-Link, up to 99 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (wrist strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (720 g) |
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