Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, if you are buying new. The JBL Charge Essential ranks higher than the Walla Sound (#91 vs #163 of 177 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.7/5 at $199.95 and is still sold new.
The JBL Charge Essential is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. A waterproof speaker with long battery life that charges your phone and pairs with a second unit for stereo. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 8 for the Walla Sound. It is rated IPX7 against IPX5 for the Walla Sound. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
The Walla Sound is the lighter option. A small shockproof speaker with an aux input, microSD playback and a built in microphone. At 0.7 lbs (300 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge Essential at 1.7 lbs (770 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. The tradeoff: No bass, gets distorted when turned up.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Charge Essential; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Walla Sound.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A waterproof speaker with long battery life that charges your phone and pairs with a second unit for stereo.
A small shockproof speaker with an aux input, microSD playback and a built in microphone.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | Walla Sound | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 Discontinued | $49.99 |
| Ranked | #91 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #163 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 10W (2 x 5W) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~90Hz |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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