Short answer: neither wins on sound, so pick by features. The Charge Essential doubles as a power bank but has less clarity than a Flip 4 with rolled-off highs. The Wonderboom is IP67 rated and floats, though it is not stereo and has barely any bass with recessed treble.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom is discontinued.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge Essential is rated for 20 hours versus 10 hours for the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Ultimate Ears Wonderboom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 | $79 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #89 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #109 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 0.9 lbs (425 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | - |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 1.6” active drivers + 2x 1.8” x 2.6” passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 4” x 3.7” (102 x 93.5 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Ultimate Ears Wonderboom: $79 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5.
Pros: IP67 rated and floats. Compact, light, and simple to use.
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble. Dip at 9kHz. Low mid bass distortion. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued.
Full Ultimate Ears Wonderboom review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4” x 3.7” (102 x 93.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.6” active drivers + 2x 1.8” x 2.6” passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (425 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
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