Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

JBL Charge 2 review

JBL’s Charge 2 piles on bigger bass for fatter sound from a slim cylinder

JBL Charge 2 front
Image used with permission by copyright holder
JBL Charge 2
MSRP $150.00
“With more power, a sleeker look, and class-leading bass, JBL’s Charge 2 is one sequel that’s well worth the ‘ticket’ price.”
Pros
  • Class-leading bass response
  • Clear, full midrange
  • Feature packed
  • Excellent battery life
Cons
  • Bass overpowering on occasion
  • Slight bite in the treble

“Why you can trust Digital Trends – We have a 20-year history of testing, reviewing, and rating products, services and apps to help you make a sound buying decision. Find out more about how we test and score products.“

In Hollywood, creating a sequel is a notoriously difficult burden to take-on, even for the most talented writer or director. Building off of a revered story with new energy and fresh perspective without sullying the original is a monumental task. As one of the audio industry’s most expansive and competitive genres, the same thing might be said for Bluetooth speakers.

Recommended Videos

Buy it now from:

Amazon

So, when JBL set out to create a second take for its popular Charge portable speaker, the Charge 2, it did so by enhancing nearly every aspect of the original. That includes adding power, features, and perhaps most importantly, a double shot of passive radiators at the sides to improve bass response, all at the same $150 price point. Having greatly enjoyed the original, we decided to grab some popcorn and settle in to see if the Charge 2 could dig up similar thrills and spills as its predecessor, and maybe even offer a few more.

Hands on video

Out of the box

It’s no shock that the Charge 2 looks strikingly familiar fresh out of the box. However, a 360 tour around the cylinder reveals some notable differences, including sparkling silver caps at the sides that cover the newly affixed passive radiators, a few extra control keys along the rubberized top panel for the Charge 2’s enhanced feature set, and an exposed panel of ports at the backside.

Tagging along with the speaker is a slim accessory lineup, including a USB to micro-USB charging cable, a wall adapter, and some startup instructions.

Features and design

Some subtle design changes in the Charge 2 give it a more sophisticated air than its predecessor. The grippy rubber is more tapered around the metal front screen, the crystal white LEDs have a futuristic look, and there’s no doubt the silver side panels buzzing with the bass make for a snappier aesthetic.

Like any good sequel, JBL juiced up the budget for the Charge 2.

We had some apprehension the new bling would make it tough to stand the Charge 2 on end like the original, but it’s still easy to go vertical with the speaker, though there’s obviously less bass response from the muted end.

Like any good sequel, JBL juiced up the budget for the Charge 2, adding multiple upgrades to the components. The Charge 2’s dual active drivers are just a touch bigger than before, at 45mm, or about 1.75-inches, up from 1.5-inches. The system also offers 50 percent more power, pushing 7.5 watts each to the active drivers. And perhaps most notable, those passive radiators at the sides allow the speaker to delve much further into the low frequencies, pushing down to a claimed 75Hz, as opposed to the 150Hz of the original.

The addition of an on-board speakerphone is an appreciated (and near-vital) new feature for the Charge 2 as well, and the button also acts as a universal key for play/pause and track skipping, alongside the volume, pairing, and power keys. But more intriguing is the speaker’s new Social Mode key, which allows up to three users at a time to connect via Bluetooth and share DJ duties, like Sol Republic’s Deck. It can be a fun parlour trick, and also works well for linking up both your tablet and phone simultaneously.

Just below the control keys rests a five-LED array for monitoring battery level. Impressively, the new speaker doesn’t sacrifice any battery life, even as it adds power, keeping the original Charge’s lengthy 12-hour playback time.

One thing some users may lament in the Charge 2’s new design is a bit less durability than the original. Thanks to the passive radiators, there’s no room for storing the inputs under a protective cap at the side. JBL chooses instead to leave the speaker’s inputs at the back of the speaker where you’ll find a charge port, a USB port for charging your smartphone, and a 3.5mm Aux input exposed to the elements. It shouldn’t be an issue for most situations, but it does make the Charge 2 less beach or rain ready.

Audio performance

Firing the speaker up, we were immediately welcomed by the same bright and punchy upper register found in earlier JBL portables, including both the original Charge, and the uber-affordable Flip. JBL adds a bit more bite than we usually go in for, occasionally revealing a tambourine clink or a trumpet blare too sharply, but it mostly works, airing out the topside with presence and clarity, like the sonic version of a sparkling summer morning.

The Charge 2 redefines the overplayed notion of “big sound, small package”

As we eased into heavier tracks, it became increasingly apparent that the Charge 2 makes full use of its new passive radiator side cars, punching deep into the upper bass — and even a bit below. In fact, the speaker gets low enough to put it in contention for best in class in that regard. The new additions allow it to cut out surprisingly rich interpretations of difficult tunes like our go-to bass track “Before Your Very Eyes” by Atoms for Peace. The speaker served up the power below, balanced with ample clarity above.

Rock tracks and hip hop were also potently revealed with the aid of the Charge 2’s bass chops, exposed with surprisingly well-rounded sound for such a small device. We heard actual, honest-to-god bass guitar; rich and realistic revelations of those four bellowing strings, which is a serious coup at this level. From top to bottom, the Charge 2 showed off some of the fullest sound we’ve heard in its class.

Of course, an upgrade in technology doesn’t always provide a better experience — anyone who’s seen a Transformer sequel can attest to that. You can only cheat physics to a point, and the Charge 2’s beefed up bass occasionally comes at a price. To dig down low without distortion at this size requires some serious limiting by a DSP chip, which can have funny side-effects. Midrange instruments like guitar and snare were pushed around and leveled out in tracks like PJ’s “World Wide Suicide,” as bass and kick drum fought for dominance. The issue was present in other tunes as well, making us wish for a digital EQ at times — Spotify anyone?

JBL Charge 2 offset
Image used with permission by copyright holder

On a few of our toughest test tracks we also heard just a smidge of rattle from inside, mostly accompanying stand-up bass lines. That said, the Charge 2 comes as close to conquering the physical limitations of portable speakers as we’ve encountered. Matching clear and present upper register detail with a robust and authoritative foundation, the Charge 2 creates the kind of full sound you’d expect from a speaker twice its size.

Conclusion

As we’ve seen year-over-year in the Bluetooth speaker genre, the competition has only gotten better since the original Charge was released. JBL obviously knows the terrain, and has made great strides to keep up with the crowd with the Charge 2. With more power, better features, a sleeker look, and class-leading bass, JBL’s Charge 2 is one sequel that’s well worth the ticket price.

Highs

  • Class-leading bass response
  • Clear, full midrange
  • Feature packed
  • Excellent battery life

Lows

  • Bass overpowering on occasion
  • Slight bite in the treble
Ryan Waniata
Former Home Theater & Entertainment Editor
Ryan Waniata is a multi-year veteran of the digital media industry, a lover of all things tech, audio, and TV, and a…
The best Bluetooth speakers for under $100 for 2025
Soundcore Motion 300 hanging from a towel rod.

You don’t need to spend a lot on a Bluetooth speaker to enjoy great sound quality. Many excellent options are available for under $100 from brands like Soundcore, Tribit, and JBL. These portable speakers often feature long battery life and built-in microphones for hands-free calls, making them versatile for various uses. Some are among the best overall speakers on the market today.

While they may not have advanced features like Wi-Fi or smart assistant integration, they typically offer impressive sound clarity and punchy bass, perfect for indoor or outdoor activities. Many also have water and dust resistance ratings, such as IP67, making them ideal for beach days, pool parties, or hikes.

Read more
Best AirPods deals: Save on AirPods and AirPods Pro
Apple airpods pro.

If you've recently grabbed one of these iPhone deals or iPad deals, then you'll likely want to also grab yourself a pair of AirPods to pair them with. Apple AirPods can pair with any Bluetooth device even if you aren't in the Apple ecosystem, and they often make for some of the best headphone deals in addition to some of the best Apple deals. Just about every AirPods model is seeing a discount right now, so we’ve done some heavy lifting and organized the best AirPods deals below. These are great deals to shop if you aren’t finding what you’re looking for in the current crop of Bose headphone deals, Beats headphone deals, or Samsung Galaxy Buds deals.
Apple AirPods 3 — $128 $169 24% off

The AirPods 3 are the most recent releases of Apple’s entry-level AirPods. They offer substantial upgrades over the AirPods 2 and make a happy medium between the AirPods 2 and the more premium AirPods Pro. The AirPods 3 have spatial audio with dynamic head tracking that makes movies and other content come to life by seemingly placing the sound all around you. An adaptive equalizer allows the headphones to automatically tune music to your ears, and a force sensor lets you easily control your entertainment, answer or end calls, and do even more. These AirPods can reach up to six hours of battery life on a single charge and up to 30 hours of total listening time with the included charging case.

Read more
Best Bluetooth speaker deals: Save on Bose, Sonos, JBL, and more
The JBL Boombox 3 Bluetooth speaker, placed outdoors.

If you’re looking for some serious audio for your home theater, there’s plenty of savings available among today’s best soundbar deals and best subwoofer deals. But if you’re looking for a portable option, here we’re taking a look at all of the best Bluetooth speaker deals going on today. Most Bluetooth speakers can go just about anywhere with you, and they also make a great audio option if you’d simply like to listen to your music on something with more oomph than your phone. There are some top brand names among today’s best Bluetooth speaker deals, so read onward for all of the details. And if you need a proper device to pair a Bluetooth speaker with, be sure to check out today’s best phone deals, best tablet deals, best smartwatch deals, and best laptop deals.
JBL Flip 5 — $80 $100 20% off

One of JBL’s most popular Bluetooth speaker options is the JBL Flip 5. It offers louder, more powerful sound than earlier versions of the Flip, as it has a two-way speaker system. This speaker system is designed to deliver loud, crystal clear, powerful sound. This Bluetooth speaker is IPX7 waterproof, so you can take it to the pool, park, beach, or trail without worry. It will reach up to 12 hours of life on a single battery charge, making it a great portable audio option for just about everyone.

Read more