Short answer: the Tozo PA1. It ranks #57 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $39.99; the JBL Charge Essential ranks #78, rated 3.2/5, and costs $73.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Tozo PA1: Tozo PA1 uses 67mm fullrange. Watch for: Bass is limited by its 52Hz specification.
Why pick the JBL Charge Essential: Doubles as a power bank. The catch: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the Tozo PA1. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge Essential and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tozo PA1 | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.99 | $73.99 |
| Ranked | #57 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #78 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (581 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Drivers | 67mm fullrange | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.6” x 2.4” (210 x 91 x 61 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 20W RMS |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Tozo PA1 compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom L vs Tozo PA1
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Tozo PA1
- JBL Charge 6 vs Tozo PA1
- JBL Flip 6 vs Tozo PA1
- JBL Flip 7 vs Tozo PA1
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
Tozo PA1: $39.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Tozo PA1 uses 67mm fullrange. Its 581 g, claimed 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX6 protection, up to 98dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 52Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment.
Full Tozo PA1 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.6” x 2.4” (210 x 91 x 61 mm) |
| Drivers | 67mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (581 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: 1 million views! Best Budget Tws? Tozo Pa1 Review and sound test More from alanrossreviews →
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- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: On A Ledge 🪟 Soundcore Motion 300 vs Tozo PA1 ⚒ Battle of the Budget Handheld Bluetooth Speakers More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Newly Released! Skullcandy Terrain XL 🦨 Quick Overview & Sound Comparison with JBL Flip 6 & Tozo PA1
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5.
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
Full JBL Charge Essential review and specifications →
| 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
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