Short answer: the Marshall Emberton II, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #127 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 2.7/5, at $151.99. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 ranks #177, rated 2.0/5, at $62.99, $89 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 179 medium speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the EarFun Uboom L instead, ranked #2 at $49.79.
The Marshall Emberton II is the better-sounding, lighter option. A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling, a very long battery and quick charging. At 1.5 lbs (700 g) it weighs much less than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 at 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
What the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 does well: A nearly indestructible waterproof speaker that doubles as a power bank, with a clip for bikes, kayaks or backpacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Marshall Emberton II lacks. Watch for: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews of the line generally.
Buy the Marshall Emberton II. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $89 saving on the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton II | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $151.99 | $62.99 |
| Ranked | #127 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #177 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | - |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (700 g) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) | 8.6” x 4.2” x 4.6” (218 x 107 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| TWS | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 10W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (mounting clip) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Marshall Emberton II compares with other leading options: