Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 2 for the power bank, the Tribit Xsound Plus 2 for the tunable sound. The Charge Essential 2 doubles as a power bank, though it is not stereo. The Plus 2 needs the recommended third-party EQ to sound its best because its factory EQs boost both treble and bass, so pick it only if you are willing to tune.
Buy the Tribit Xsound Plus 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge Essential 2 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Xsound Plus 2 | JBL Charge Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.99 | $130 |
| Ranked | #34 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #37 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Latency | 16ms | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | SBC 233ms, AAC 240ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (798 g) | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 7.8” x 2.8” x 2.6” (198 x 71 x 66 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 40W |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz | ~55Hz |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm neodymium full-range drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Strap | Yes (strap) | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Tribit Xsound Plus 2: $69.99 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Tribit Maxsound Plus/Thunderbox Plus (ranked higher, rated 4.1/5) and the Tribit Maxsound Plus V2 (ranked higher, rated 4.1/5).
Pros: Use this EQ for the best sound quality. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted treble, boosted bass in the factory EQs. Peak at 320Hz, dip at 500Hz. Bass is slappy and distorted in xbass mode
Full Tribit Xsound Plus 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 16ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | SBC 233ms, AAC 240ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8” x 2.8” x 2.6” (198 x 71 x 66 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm neodymium full-range drivers |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (798 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Plus 2: Upgrade Your Sound With Maxsound Eq Preset! New firmware tested More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Goodbye Maxsound Plus hello Tribit Xsound Plus 2! neutral heaven or bass for the masses?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bogasing G4 spot cheap speaker - I was NOT expecting this!
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit XSound Plus 2 - first impressions More from Oluv’Sone →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- See all 108 comparisons
JBL Charge Essential 2: $130 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5.
Pros: A tough, compact 930g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, USB-C charging, a USB-A power-bank output and a claimed 20-hour battery life. It delivers much of the Charge 5’s familiar punch and volume in a simpler package, with bass that reaches roughly 55Hz for this size. Measured bass extension of ~55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option. It plays mono, has a little less bass authority than the Charge 5, and its IPX7 rating does not promise dust protection. Choose it for a good sale price, not for extra features.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Huawei Sound Joy
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Charge Essential 3 SE
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- See all 135 comparisons