Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential. It ranks #78 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $73.99. The Tozo PA2 ranks #118, rated 2.5/5, at $39.99, $34 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
Why pick the JBL Charge Essential: Doubles as a power bank. The catch: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off.
The case for the Tozo PA2: IPX8 rated, rugged fabric-wrapped design. The catch: Quite a bit of bass distortion thudding as you turn the volume up.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $34 saving on the Tozo PA2 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Tozo PA2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 | $39.99 |
| Ranked | #78 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #118 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (TOZO App) |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (16 EQ modes via app) |
| 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) | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 1.7-inch full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators (44x49mm each) |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 7.1” x 2.8” x 3” (180 x 70 x 76 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 16W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX8 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, AAC |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Charge Essential compares with other leading options:
- JBL Charge Essential vs Earfun Uboom L
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge Essential
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Charge Essential vs Minirig 4
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Flip Essential
- JBL Charge Essential vs Teufel Rockster Go 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus
- JBL Charge Essential vs Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam
- See all 121 comparisons
Tozo PA2: $39.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: IPX8 rated, rugged fabric-wrapped design. App offers 16 EQ modes and TWS dual-pairing with a second PA2.
Cons: Quite a bit of bass distortion thudding as you turn the volume up. Bass not that deep. The Tozo PA1 totally outclasses it.
Full Tozo PA2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (TOZO App) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.8” x 3” (180 x 70 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.7-inch full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators (44x49mm each) |
| EQ | Yes (16 EQ modes via app) |
| IP Rating | IPX8 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons