Short answer: the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2. It ranks #54 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $49.99; the JBL Charge 2 ranks #69 and costs $149, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 offers: Good battery life - 20+ hours on a charge. IPX7 rated. PartyCast mode links multiple speakers; app EQ presets. Watch for: A little less bass than similar size speakers.
What the JBL Charge 2 offers: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. Social Mode pairs up to 3 phones; works as a speakerphone. Watch for: Bass compression at higher volumes. Warm sound. slightly rolled off treble. Not as loud as other speakers.
Buy the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge 2 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Battery life favors the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2: rated for 24 hours against 12 hours for the JBL Charge 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 | JBL Charge 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $149 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #54 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #69 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 372 g | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.2" x 2.3" (174 x 57 x 59 mm) | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) |
| Output Power | 16W | 15W RMS |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5") titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Soundcore Motion 100 vs JBL Charge 2
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 3/Soundcore Select 2: $49.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Good battery life - 20+ hours on a charge. IPX7 rated. PartyCast mode links multiple speakers; app EQ presets.
Cons: A little less bass than similar size speakers.
Full Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.2" x 2.3" (174 x 57 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5") titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 372 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Anker Soundcore 3 vs Tribit Maxsound Plus - Best £50 speaker More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boost vs Soundcore 3 - Best small bluetooth speaker❓
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: Anker SoundCore 3 Vs. SoundCore Select 2 Bass Sound Test
- Reddit Search for Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 Review
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- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs JBL Charge 4
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
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JBL Charge 2: $149 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. Social Mode pairs up to 3 phones; works as a speakerphone.
Cons: Bass compression at higher volumes. Warm sound. slightly rolled off treble. Not as loud as other speakers. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 15W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons