Short answer: the Turtlebox Ranger. It ranks #65 of 166 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5) at $250 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge 2 ranks #90 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Charge 2’s replacement, the JBL Charge 6, is rated 4.2/5 at $149.95.
The Turtlebox Ranger is the tougher choice. Smoother frequency response than the other Turtlebox speakers. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the JBL Charge 2. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Bass sounds kind of thuddy and isn’t as deep as higher ranked speakers.
Why pick the JBL Charge 2: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Turtlebox Ranger lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Turtlebox Ranger. The tradeoff: Bass compression at higher volumes.
Buy the Turtlebox Ranger. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Charge 2 is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Ranger | JBL Charge 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250.00 | $149 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #65 of 166 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 166 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 12+ hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 3.0 |
| Dimensions | 9.5” x 3.1” x 3.1” (241 x 80 x 80 mm) | 8.5” x 3.4” x 3” (216 x 86 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2” (51mm) woofers | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1089 g) | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 15W RMS |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Turtlebox Ranger compares with other leading options:
- Turtlebox Ranger vs EarFun Uboom L
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Soundcore Motion+
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
- Denon Envaya DSB-250BT vs Turtlebox Ranger
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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
Same family: the Turtlebox Cub (smaller model, rated 3/5), the Turtlebox Gen 3 (larger model, rated 2.1/5) and the Turtlebox Grande (larger model, rated 2.6/5). See every Turtlebox generation.
Pros: Smoother 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 →
| Released | Feb 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1089 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Bogasing M5
- Turtlebox Ranger vs JBL Charge 4
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Soundcore 3
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Sonos Play
- Turtlebox Ranger vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- See all 111 comparisons
JBL Charge 2: $149 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025. See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. Social Mode pairs up to 3 phones; works as a speakerphone.
Cons: Bass compression at higher volumes. Warm sound. slightly rolled off treble. Not as loud as other speakers. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 15W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.5” x 3.4” x 3” (216 x 86 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons