Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2, if you are buying new. The Minirig 2 ranks higher than it (#9 vs #39 of 164 medium speakers, 4.3/5 vs 3.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Charge Essential 2 is still sold new at $130.
The Minirig 2 is the better-sounding, longer-running option. Modular, can easily attach a subwoofer. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge Essential 2. At 1.1 lbs (488 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge Essential 2 at 2.1 lbs (930 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. Watch for: Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating.
The JBL Charge Essential 2 is the tougher pick. A tough, compact 2.1 lbs (930 g) speaker with IPX7 water resistance, USB-C charging, a USB-A power-bank output and a claimed 20-hour battery life. It is rated IPX7 against Splash resistant for the Minirig 2. The tradeoff: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2, since the Minirig 2 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Minirig 2 | JBL Charge Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $140 Discontinued | $130 |
| Ranked | #9 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #39 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Proprietary USB cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes (cable) | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (488 g) | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 150ms (1 speaker) / 500ms (2 speakers stereo) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 70mm speaker driver | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 15W | 40W |
| Dimensions | 4” x 3” (102 x 76 mm) (diameter x height) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Minirig 2 compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom L vs Minirig 2
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Minirig 2
- Minirig 2 vs Minirig 4
- Minirig 2 vs Minirig 3
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Minirig 2
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
Minirig 2: $140 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Minirig 4, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5.
Pros: Modular, can easily attach a subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating. App is buggy. Wireless TWS pairing is buggy. A bit expensive. Has reliability issues more often than any other speaker. Discontinued; Minirig’s current lineup is the Minirig 4, Subwoofer 4 Ultra and Finite MR-79.
Full Minirig 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 15W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX |
| Bluetooth Latency | 150ms (1 speaker) / 500ms (2 speakers stereo) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4” x 3” (102 x 76 mm) (diameter x height) |
| Drivers | 70mm speaker driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary USB cable |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes (cable) |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (488 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Charge Essential 2: $130 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5.
Pros: A tough, compact 930g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, USB-C charging, a USB-A power-bank output and a claimed 20-hour battery life. It delivers much of the Charge 5’s familiar punch and volume in a simpler package, with bass that reaches roughly 55Hz for this size. Measured bass extension of ~55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option. It plays mono, has a little less bass authority than the Charge 5, and its IPX7 rating does not promise dust protection. Choose it for a good sale price, not for extra features.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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