JBL Charge 3 vs Essential 2

Name JBL Charge 3 JBL Charge Essential 2
Image JBL Charge 3 JBL Charge Essential 2
Type Medium Medium
MSRP $159.95 $139.95
Released 2016 2022
Availability Discontinued Regional
Check price: Amazon Amazon
Speaker configuration
Audio channels 2.0 (stereo) 1.0 (mono)
Woofers (or full range): 2× 50 mm 1× 52 × 90 mm
Tweeters: - 1× 0.79″
Subwoofers: - -
Audio specs & features
Watts RMS 20 W 40 W
Frequency range 65 Hz - 20 kHz 60.0 Hz - 20 kHz
Wireless stereo pairing? ✔ via app ❌
Party mode? (mono) ✔ JBL Connect ❌
Other (special) audio features? None None
Connectivity
Bluetooth version? 4.1 5.1
Wi-Fi? ❌ ❌
NFC? (for pairing) ❌ ❌
Radio? ❌ ❌
Audio inputs & outputs
Buit-in mic? (and function) ✔ (calls, voice control) ❌
Guitar/mic input? ❌ ❌
USB-A playback? ❌ ❌
3.5 mm AUX in? ✔ ❌
3.5 mm AUX out? ❌ ❌
Other in/outputs? ❌ ❌
Battery, power & charging
Battery? ✔ ✔
Battery life 20 hours 20 hours
Charge time 4.5 hrs 4 hrs
Battery capacity 22.2 Wh 27 Wh
Swappable battery? ❌ ❌
Charging port(s): Micro-USB USB-C
Powerbank function? Yes; 1× USB-A 10W Yes; 1× USB-A 10W
Buttons & controls
Sound mode button(s)? ❌ ❌
Sound effect buttons? ❌ ❌
Other (special) buttons? ❌ ❌
App? JBL Portable ❌
Voice assistant? Indirect control ❌
Lights
Colored LEDS? ❌ ❌
Strobe LEDS? ❌ ❌
Size & weight
Size (cm H×W×D): 8.7×21.30×8.85 9.60×22.0×9.34
Size (inch H×W×D): 8.39×3.43×3.48 3.8×8.7×3.8
Weight (kg): 0.80 0.93
Weight (lbs): 1.76 2.05
Physical features
IP Code IPX7 IPX7
Transportation method? In hand In hand
Color options: 6 colors 1 color: Gray
Other features? - -
In the box
Charger/cables? USB-A to micro-USB, USB-A charger USB-A to USB-C
Accessories? - -
More info
Model number JBLCHARGE3 JBLCHARGEES2
User guide / manual Quick start guide Quick start guide
Official site link: Page discontinued uk.JBL.com
Check price & reviews
See price and reviews: Amazon Amazon
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Key differences

The JBL Charge 3 costs $20 more ($159.95 vs $139.95), has more audio channels (2.0 vs 1.0) and is lighter (0.80 kg vs 0.93 kg).

The JBL Charge Essential 2 is newer (2022 vs 2016), is more powerful (40 W vs 20 W) and has a larger battery (27 Wh vs 22.2 Wh).

Only on the JBL Charge 3: wireless stereo pairing (via app), party mode (JBL Connect), buit-in mic (calls, voice control), 3.5 mm AUX in, app (JBL Portable) and voice assistant (Indirect control).

Other differences: Bluetooth (4.1 vs 5.1) and charging port (Micro-USB vs USB-C). Both have IPX7 water and dust resistance.

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