JBL Charge Essential Review: Ranked #89 of 164

Last updated: October 5, 2026

The JBL Charge Essential ranks #89 out of 164 total Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers for sound quality. See all Portable Bluetooth rankings for every top pick.

Brand: JBL

Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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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JBL Charge Essential - ranked #89 of 164 Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers · Editor's rating 3.2/5
Check price at Amazon ($73.99) →

#89 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.

Related speakers: JBL Charge Essential 2.

How it compares: Just above it: JBL Charge 3 - $6 more. Just below it: JBL Charge 2 - $75 more, 8 fewer hours of battery life.

Amplifier Power20W RMS
AppNo
Aux InputNo
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified)
Bluetooth Version4.1
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm)
Drivers2x 50mm fullrange
EQNo
Frequency Response65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIPX7
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
Power InputMicro USB
StereoNo
StrapNo
TWSNo
Weight1.7 lbs (770 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($73.99) →Search eBay for JBL Charge Essential →

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