Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential for better sound quality, the Tribit Xsound Go for the lower price. The JBL Charge Essential ranks #68 of 136 medium speakers at $73.99. The Tribit Xsound Go ranks #78 at $29.97, $44.02 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge Essential gets right: Doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off.
What the Tribit Xsound Go offers: Well balanced sound. Set against that: Lacking quite a bit of bass compared to bigger speakers.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tribit Xsound Go if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Tribit Xsound Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 | $29.97 |
| Ranked | #68 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #78 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| 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 | 0.8 lbs / 380 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 6.9" x 2.3" x 2.2" (175 x 59 x 56 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 20W RMS | 16W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 83Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 98dB |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon
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 →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Flossy Carter: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Charge Essential More from FlossyCarter →
- Techder Audios: JBL EXTREME 3 VS JBL CHARGE ESSENTIAL More from techderaudios →
- The Tech Files: JBL CHARGE ESSENTIAL VS CHARGE ESSENTIAL 2 COMPARATIVO AMBIENTE EXTERNO
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge Essential Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 3
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Tribit Xsound Go: $29.97 Amazon
Pros: Well balanced sound. Very light (13.4 oz) and inexpensive. IPX7 rated; up to 24 hours of battery at moderate volume.
Cons: Lacking quite a bit of bass compared to bigger speakers
Full Tribit Xsound Go review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 83Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.3" x 2.2" (175 x 59 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 98dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 380 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Xsound Go vs Tribit Xsound Surf
- Tribit Xsound Go vs Sony ULT Field 1
- Tribit Xsound Go vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Tribit Xsound Go vs Soundcore 2
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