Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party. It ranks #20 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $149.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Charge Essential ranks #91 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Charge Essential’s replacement, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.7/5 at $199.95.
The Xiaomi Sound Party is the better-sounding, longer-running option. A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge Essential. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
The JBL Charge Essential is the lighter choice. A waterproof speaker with long battery life that charges your phone and pairs with a second unit for stereo. At 1.7 lbs (770 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Xiaomi Sound Party at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Charge Essential is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle.
A waterproof speaker with long battery life that charges your phone and pairs with a second unit for stereo.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Sound Party | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $73.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #20 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #91 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 20W RMS |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) | Micro USB |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | No |
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