Short answer: the Ranger, unless you specifically need a speakerphone. These rank #56 and #123 out of 142 portable speakers, with the discontinued Esquire 2 priced at $200 against the Ranger’s $250.
These solve different problems. The Esquire 2’s pros highlight that it doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise and echo cancellation, plus a flat, compact design that packs easily and USB charge-out for topping off a phone. It’s built for calls, not music. Its cons confirm that: weak bass, underwhelming vocal and instrument separation, and a tinny sound at high volume.
The Ranger is the better music speaker and the tougher one. Its pros describe a genuinely tough build with magnets for mounting, and it carries an IP67 rating against the Esquire 2’s IPX4, a meaningful step down in water resistance. The Ranger’s cons still call its bass thuddy and not as deep as higher ranked speakers, but that’s a lesser complaint than what the Esquire 2 draws.
One note: the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 is no longer sold new, but at #123 of 142 medium speakers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering.
Buy the Ranger for better everyday music sound and much stronger water resistance.
Buy the Esquire 2 only if the 4-mic conferencing speakerphone function is something you’ll actually use.
Skip the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 142 medium speakers.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Turtlebox Ranger at IP67 (brief submersion) against the Harman Kardon Esquire 2, which has IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Ranger | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250.00 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #56 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #123 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 12+ hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 9.5" x 3.1" x 3.1" (241 x 80 x 80 mm) | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 2" (51mm) woofers | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1089 g | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Output Power | - | 16W |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- JBL Charge 6 vs Boat Stone 350/352/358
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Turtlebox Ranger
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Harman Kardon Esquire 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 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
Turtlebox Ranger: $250.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Much better frequency response than the other Turtlebox speakers. Has magnets for attaching it to things. Appears to be quite tough
Cons: Bass sounds kind of thuddy and isn’t as deep as higher ranked speakers. Overpriced. Heavy for the size, likely due to the toughness
Full Turtlebox Ranger review and specifications →
| Battery Life | 12+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.5" x 3.1" x 3.1" (241 x 80 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 2" (51mm) woofers |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1089 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Turtlebox Ranger vs JBL Charge 4
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Sonos Play
- See all 85 comparisons
Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone.
Cons: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire 2 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs LG Xboom XG5
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Ultimate Ears Roll 2
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs LG Xboom Go PL5
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
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