Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential. It ranks #66 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $130; the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks #120 and costs $200, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the JBL Flip Essential offers: Aux input for wired sources. IPX7 rated. Genuinely portable at under a pound; a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5. Watch for: Less bass than a Flip 5.
What the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 offers: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone. Watch for: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume
Buy the JBL Flip Essential. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Harman Kardon Esquire 2. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Flip Essential is rated at IPX7 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #66 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | - |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | 16W |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | - | No |
| Stereo | - | No |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Esquire 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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 Flip Essential: $130 eBay
Pros: Aux input for wired sources. IPX7 rated. Genuinely portable at under a pound; a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5.
Cons: Less bass than a Flip 5.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone.
Cons: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire 2 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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