Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Soundcore Motion+ is the better pick: it ranks #4 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5), against #92 (rated 3.2/5) for the JBL Charge Essential. If you want one new, the Soundcore Motion 300 replaces the Soundcore Motion+ and is rated 4.5/5 at $79.99.
The Soundcore Motion+ is the better-sounding option. The previous best sounding in class, still a great speaker with separate tweeters, more bass at full volume and better off-axis treble frequency response than the EarFun Uboom L. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential. Watch for: Not quite as neutral or detailed as the EarFun Uboom L.
The JBL Charge Essential is the longer-running, lighter option. Doubles as a power bank. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Soundcore Motion+. At 1.7 lbs (770 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Soundcore Motion+ at 2.3 lbs (1.05 kg). It links with other speakers (Connect+ up to 100 speakers), which the Soundcore Motion+ cannot. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the Soundcore Motion+ 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 Soundcore Motion 300, which replaces the Soundcore Motion+.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Motion+ | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 used, Discontinued | $73.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #4 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #92 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (9 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 130ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.3 lbs (1050 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 3.1” x 3.2” (257 x 79 x 81 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 20W RMS |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm (2.75”) neodymium woofers + 2x silk dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Soundcore Motion+:
- EarFun Uboom L vs Soundcore Motion+
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Soundcore Motion+
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Motion+
- Denon Envaya DSB-250BT vs Soundcore Motion+
- Minirig 4 vs Soundcore Motion+
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 Motion+: $79.99 used Discontinued Amazon $79.99 eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore Motion 300, ranked higher, rated 4.5/5, released Oct 2023. It adds party mode, AAC and LDAC, but drops the aux input and aptX. See every Soundcore Motion generation.
Pros: The previous best sounding in class, still a great speaker with separate tweeters, more bass at full volume and better off-axis treble frequency response than the EarFun Uboom L. Just okay with the default EQ, I highly recommend using this EQ setting from r/kai7895 to get it more neutral. To achieve the absolute best sound you’ll need the Wavelet app (Android only) and set the provided Wavelet EQ in there too. Turn off the wavelet EQ for outdoor use. An alternative is Oluv’s EQ which only needs the Soundcore app EQ. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not quite as neutral or detailed as the EarFun Uboom L. Without the above EQ, this speaker will rank around #25 in the rankings. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Motion+ review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 130ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 3.1” x 3.2” (257 x 79 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm (2.75”) neodymium woofers + 2x silk dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (9 band) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.3 lbs (1050 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Beoplay A1 outdoors with a bit of Anker Soundcore Motion+ too More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart T6 Plus upgraded edition vs Anker Motion Plus and Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: LG Xboom Go PL7 vs Anker Soundcore Motion Plus - bass sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Mega Review vs Anker Soundcore Motion Plus - bang for buck champs! 😛
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Plus vs Beoplay A1 2nd gen - The Match!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Plus and Sony XB33 - ultimate travel speaker 2021 🤗
- Alan Ross Reviews: 2x Soundcore Boost (stereo) vs Motion Boom and Motion+ - Best Soundcore speaker? 😋
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D8 speaker review 50 watts power against JBL xtreme 2 and soundcore Motion plus
- Alan Ross Reviews: Earfun Uboom Review - full test - vs tribit maxsound and motion plus!
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D8 Mini vs Anker Soundcore Motion Plus Speaker
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Soundcore Motion Boom and Motion Plus! expensive is better?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb33 vs xb43 vs Soundcore Motion Plus speakers test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Pro - two versions compared - was it broken? 🤔
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beats Pill vs Harman Luna vs Bose Flex vs Soundcore Motion Plus
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion x600 (best speaker ever) or two motion booms?
- Techder Audios: Lg Xg7 Vs Soundcore Motion+ "CAN LG DEFEAT BEST BUDGET SPEAKER?!" More from techderaudios →
- Techder Audios: EARFUN UBOOM L VS SOUNDCORE MOTION+
- Naresh Lal: Anker Soundcore motion+ Vs Xdobo X8
- DOSS SOUNDBOX PRO+ VS ANKER SOUNDCORE MOTION+
- DIGI-EARS: Xdobo X8 Max vs. JBL Charge 5 vs. Anker Soundcore Motion+ vs. Tribit Stormbox Pro Sound Test Battle
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Soundcore Motion+ vs EarFun Uboom L
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Minirig 4
- Soundcore Motion+ vs B&O Beosound A1
- Soundcore Motion+ vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge 6
- See all 87 comparisons
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
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs JBL Flip Essential
- JBL Charge Essential vs Teufel Rockster Go 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam 2
- JBL Charge Essential vs Sonos Roam
- JBL Charge Essential vs KEF Muo gen2
- JBL Charge Essential vs Tronsmart Mirtune C3 Plus
- See all 127 comparisons