Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Soundcore Glow is the better pick: it ranks #50 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5), against #92 (rated 3.2/5) for the JBL Charge Essential. If you want one new, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE replaces the JBL Charge Essential and is rated 3.7/5 at $199.95.
The Soundcore Glow is the better-sounding option. Nice light show. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: Bass falls off quickly at louder volumes, leaving mostly treble; distortion on bass-heavy tracks at full volume.
The case for the JBL Charge Essential: Doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the Soundcore Glow only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, which replaces the JBL Charge Essential.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Glow | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $73.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #50 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #92 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 4.7” x 4.3” (290 x 120 x 110 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.5mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 20W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Soundcore Glow compares with other leading options:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Soundcore Glow
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Soundcore Glow
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Flip 6 vs Soundcore Glow
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 Glow: $80 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Nice light show. Treble boosted 7db. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass falls off quickly at louder volumes, leaving mostly treble; distortion on bass-heavy tracks at full volume. Light effects and bass-boost noticeably shorten battery life. USB-C port doesn’t support power-bank charging. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Soundcore Glow review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2023 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 4.7” x 4.3” (290 x 120 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.5mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Discontinued Amazon $73.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5, released Apr 2026. See every JBL Charge Essential generation.
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded JBL Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge Essential review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 3
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