JBL Charge 5

Solid build quality

Can't stereo pair with non-Charge 5 JBL speakers

“Everyone will hear the JBL Charge 5 once you start cranking it up.”

Powerful, bass-forward, bright sound signature Gets loud for its relatively compact size Fully waterproof design USB-A port for charging mobile devices

App lacks EQ No speakerphone

JBL's portable Charge 5 speaker delivers surprisingly powerful Bluetooth audio from a compact, waterproof frame, making it the ideal travel companion for going just about anywhere.

Dustproof and waterproof ; Gets incredibly loud without distortion ; Solid battery life ; Easy-to-use controls

Expensive for its size ; No speakerphone ; No AUX input

The JBL Charge 5 is a premium speaker that sounds great, has remarkably well designed controls, and boasts an iconic design.

Compact, water/dustproof design ; Big sound ; Easy to use ; Can pair with other JBL speakers for bigger sound ; All day battery life ; Power bank feature

A bit on the pricey side ; Software app is pretty basic ; No equalizer option in software

If you’re looking for a portable Bluetooth party speaker that will last all day and then some, is waterproof, has big sound, and isn’t unwieldy to carry around, the JBL Charge 5 may be the one for you.

Great sound with high maximum volume ; Very robust thanks to IP67 certification ; Large battery with power bank function ; Can be connected to other JBL speakers

No jack connection ; Quite limited frequency response ; Smart features only in the expensive Wi-Fi version

After a few years on the market, prices for the Charge 5 from JBL have remained relatively stable. This makes the Charge one of the higher-priced models in our list of the best Bluetooth speakers . After a few days of testing, however, it is clear that...

Full vocals Rich bass Good battery life

Limited app Few extras

With a new look, a little more ruggedness and improved sound, the JBL Charge 5 is one of the best Bluetooth speakers — just not one of the cheapest.

Powerful sound, good battery life, several can be connected.

Slightly sharp treble, no sound settings in the app.

JBL Charge 5 is among the toughest in its class, with juicy bass rhythms and an ability to play louder and with better dynamics than most. It has a long battery life, is easy to use, and it does a lot right. If you want to connect several people in a...

Balanced, clear sound over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth ; Tough, rugged design ; Can be used to charge other devices ; Solid battery life

More expensive than before ; No PartyBoost feature ; No fast charging

The JBL Charge 5 Wi-Fi is another excellent-sounding wireless speaker from JBL, boasting an even more refined performance, especially over a Wi-Fi connection. It is considerably more expensive than its predecessor and close rivals, and though the...

Big, spacious and powerful sound ; Rugged design ; Can be used as a powerbank ; App support

Heavy ; Treble performance could be better

A fun portable speaker that’s one of the best-sounding efforts in its price bracket. With its tough design, good battery life and powerful sound, the JBL Charge 5 presents itself as a great option for indoor use and outdoors.