Short answer: the Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021. It ranks #4 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $60; the JBL Charge 2 ranks #69 and costs $149, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 offers: A very neutral good sounding inexpensive small speaker with quite deep bass for the size. This upgraded version has a usb-c port while the old one has micro usb. Watch for: Slight DSP tuning issue which makes bass get lighter at times at very low volumes, examples in oluv’s video.
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 Boost “upgraded” 2021. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge 2 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 | JBL Charge 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 | $149 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #4 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #69 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (9 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 150ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 3.0 |
| Dimensions | 8" x 2.8" x 2.7" (204 x 72 x 69 mm) (7.7 x 2.5 x 2.6 inches) | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.75" (44mm) x 2 active drivers and one passive radiator | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| Output Power | 20W (10W × 2) | 15W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Sony SRS-XB20
- JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs JBL Charge 2
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 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 Boost “upgraded” 2021: $60 Amazon eBay
Pros: A very neutral good sounding inexpensive small speaker with quite deep bass for the size. This upgraded version has a usb-c port while the old one has micro usb.
Cons: Slight DSP tuning issue which makes bass get lighter at times at very low volumes, examples in oluv’s video.
Full Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 150ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8" x 2.8" x 2.7" (204 x 72 x 69 mm) (7.7 x 2.5 x 2.6 inches) |
| Drivers | 1.75" (44mm) x 2 active drivers and one passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes (9 band) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W (10W × 2) |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion 300 or JBL Flip 6 or Soundcore Boost v2? we all have issues! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs Maxsound Plus and Soundcore Boost - ultimate travel speaker!
- Alan Ross Reviews: 2x Soundcore Boost (stereo) vs Motion Boom and Motion+ - Best Soundcore speaker? 😋
- Speakertech: Anker soundcore Boost (Upgraded) vs minirig mini in stereo /2.0 (and changing the equalizer)
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bogasing G4 spot cheap speaker - I was NOT expecting this!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex vs Soundcore Boost vs Bogasing M4 - cheap or Bose?
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Motion+
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Minirig 4
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs B&O Beosound A1
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge 6
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Flip 6
- See all 74 comparisons
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