JBL Charge 5 plays loud and powerful, and is the one you want to take with you on a ride.

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

Slightly sharp treble, no sound settings in the app.

The JBL Charge 5 is a great choice if you’re after a rugged Bluetooth speaker capable of outputting serious sound both in and outdoors

Impactful sound; Solid battery life; Now dustproof as well as waterproof;

No AUX-in or microphone; Lacks EQ options;

It took me a few days to wrap my head around the key stamp that this product makes upon the Bluetooth speaker market: it’s really two products in one. You can charge any USB-equipped device—be it a smartphone, tablet, game controller, or even some laptops—using the Charge 5’s pass-thru.

Solid sound quality, Built-in powerbank is very useful, Dust- and water-proof

Not everyone will want/need the added charging feature

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. The JBL Charge 5 is a very good Bluetooth speaker.

Full vocals, Rich bass, Good battery life

Limited app, Few extras

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.

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

If you want a powerful speaker that doubles as a power bank and can handle getting wet, this is it

Durable, high-quality, IP67-rated water-resistant build, Sleek aesthetic despite ruggedization, Premium materials for a great in-hand feel, 20 or more hours of battery is easily within reach, USB-A port for reverse wired charging at 10W, Multi-speaker pairing via PartyBoost, Powerful bass down to...

Bluetooth-only, No voice assistant access, 65Hz to 20kHz instead of 20Hz to 20kHz frequencies supported

JBL’s Charge 5 hails from a victorious and dominant product line, and the winning trend does not stop here

Clearer and more detailed sound, Wider soundstage, Updated dustproofing

Nothing at this level

For those who want a loud, durable speaker to use on days out at the park or beach, the JBL Charge 5 is an excellent choice. The audio is powerful and accurate, and it has improved dust resistance as well as a waterproof design. What’s not to love!

Loud, powerful sound, 20-hour battery life, Can be used to charge your phone

No EQ settings in the app, You can’t use PartyBoost with Connect+ speakers, No 3.5mm audio port

The JBL Charge 5 is an iteration on a winning formula. The Charge series of speakers is known for balanced sound, high volume, and long battery life, and that hasn’t changed in this fifth generation.

Balanced sound quality, Gets extremely loud, Long battery life

Long charge time, Distortion at high volume, No more aux jack

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.

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