Short answer: it depends on whether you want a portable or a party speaker. The Onn Large Party gen 2 adds karaoke mic and guitar inputs, FM radio and wheels for moving it around, though Consumer Reports found boomy bass, hazy mids and smeared treble with no app or EQ to correct it. The JBL Charge Essential 2 is IPX7 rated and weighs just 2.1 lbs (930 g) with a claimed 20-hour battery, delivering much of the Charge 5’s punch in a simpler mono package with no app, EQ or party mode.
Onn Large Party gen 2 adds karaoke mic and guitar inputs, FM radio and wheels for moving it around, though Consumer Reports found boomy bass, hazy mids and smeared treble with no app or EQ to correct it.
Charge Essential 2 is IPX7 rated and weighs just 2.1 lbs (930 g) with a claimed 20-hour battery, delivering much of the Charge 5’s punch in a simpler mono package with no app, EQ or party mode.
Buy the Onn Large Party gen 2 for real party volume, wheels and karaoke features. Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 if you want a genuinely waterproof, portable speaker instead of a stationary party unit.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Charge Essential 2 is rated at IPX7 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Onn Large Party gen 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A budget party speaker on wheels with real bass impact, karaoke inputs and an FM radio.
A simpler, tough waterproof speaker with punchy sound, long battery life and a phone charging port, great when found on sale.
Prices on this page were last checked October 24, 2026 at 4:42 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
| Onn Large Party gen 2 | JBL Charge Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129 | $74.91 |
| Ranked | #17 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #39 of 173 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| FM Tuner | Yes | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync Mode) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | - |
| Drivers | Dual 8” (203mm) woofers + dual tweeters | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 22.5”H x 11.6”W x 11.8”D (571 x 295 x 300 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 160W RMS (640W peak) | 40W |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~55Hz |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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