Short answer: the Soundcore 2. It ranks #81 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $29.98; the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks #120 and costs $200, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Soundcore 2 offers: 24+ hour battery life from a 5200mAh cell. Very light (0.8 lb) and compact. IPX7 rated with a soft, grippy silicone coating. Watch for: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others
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 Soundcore 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Skip the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers.
If battery life is a priority, the Soundcore 2 is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2.
Water resistance is not close: the Soundcore 2 is rated at IPX7 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 2 | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.98 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #81 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 318 g | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm fullrange | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| Dimensions | 6.6" x 1.9" x 2.2" (168 x 47 x 56 mm) | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 12W | 16W |
| App | No | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | - | No |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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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
Soundcore 2: $29.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: 24+ hour battery life from a 5200mAh cell. Very light (0.8 lb) and compact. IPX7 rated with a soft, grippy silicone coating.
Cons: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others
Full Soundcore 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.6" x 1.9" x 2.2" (168 x 47 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 12W |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 318 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
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
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- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
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