Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential if sound quality matters most, the Walla Sound if price matters most. The JBL Charge Essential ranks #71 of 142 medium speakers at $73.99. The Walla Sound ranks #129 at $49.99, $24 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge Essential offers: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
What the Walla Sound offers: IPX5 water resistant, 8-hour battery life, shockproof construction, Bluetooth 5.0, MicroSD card support, AUX input, built-in HD microphone, voice assistant compatible, lightweight 300g Watch for: No bass, gets distorted when turned up. Harsh upper mids.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Walla Sound if the price matters more than sound quality.
The Walla Sound is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 142 medium speakers; there are better options higher up.
Battery life favors the JBL Charge Essential: rated for 20 hours against 8 hours for the Walla Sound.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Walla Sound | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 | $49.99 |
| Ranked | #71 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #129 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 30mm metal diaphragm driver |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 2.7" x 2.7" x 6.3" (68 x 68 x 160 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~90Hz |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Charge Essential:
- 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 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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
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 |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| 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 Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sony XB23
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Flip 4
- See all 89 comparisons
Walla Sound: $49.99 Walla Sound eBay
Pros: IPX5 water resistant, 8-hour battery life, shockproof construction, Bluetooth 5.0, MicroSD card support, AUX input, built-in HD microphone, voice assistant compatible, lightweight 300g. Measured bass extension of ~90Hz (-10dB).
Cons: No bass, gets distorted when turned up. Harsh upper mids.
Full Walla Sound review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~90Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.7" x 2.7" x 6.3" (68 x 68 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 30mm metal diaphragm driver |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Walla Sound vs Xdobo X8
- Walla Sound vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
- Walla Sound vs Limitless Innovations TikiTunes
- Walla Sound vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Walla Sound vs W-King D8 Mini
- Walla Sound vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Walla Sound vs Marshall Emberton II
- Walla Sound vs Marshall Emberton III
- See all 53 comparisons