JBL Charge 5 Review | 130 Data compared

The JBL Charge 5 is a durable, IP67-rated portable speaker featuring 20-hour battery life, USB-A power bank functionality, and a customizable 3-band EQ via the companion app. While it delivers loud, capable audio, the review notes significant limitations, including the lack of a 3.5mm auxiliary input, no microphone for calls, and an absence of high-res codec support.

The JBL Charge 5 is a five-star, refined portable Bluetooth speaker featuring agile, impactful sound, an IP67-rated durable design, and a 20-hour battery life with power bank capabilities. According to What Hi-Fi?, the speaker offers only minor sonic upgrades over the Charge 4, lacks Wi-Fi and voice assistant functionality, and has limited, non-backwards-compatible PartyBoost pairing.

The JBL Charge 5 offers powerful audio with booming bass, excellent battery life, and a convenient power bank feature, successfully blending portability with impressive volume. However, the What's The Best review notes a somewhat mediocre impression due to lack of innovation, high £169.99 pricing compared to premium competitors, and a bulky, less-portable design.

The JBL Charge 5 is described as a practical, durable portable speaker with an IP67 rating, delivering a punchy, well-defined soundstage and featuring a convenient built-in power bank for charging external devices. While offering an expansive audio performance, the speaker lacks a 3.5mm input, a microphone for voice assistants, and the ability to skip tracks backward, say the reviewers.

The JBL Charge 5 is a durable, portable Bluetooth speaker delivering robust sound with reliable 5.1 connectivity, a built-in power bank for charging devices, and the PartyBoost feature for linking multiple speakers. While praised for its performance, the speaker lacks a 3.5mm audio input for wired playback and does not include a built-in microphone for speakerphone functionality.

The JBL Charge 5, reviewed by PCMag UK, is praised as a durable, IP67-rated, outdoor-friendly speaker delivering powerful, bass-forward audio with PartyBoost capabilities and a USB-A port for charging devices. However, the speaker lacks built-in speakerphone functionality, omits user-adjustable EQ settings, and does not include backward track navigation via physical controls.

The JBL Charge 5 is a robust, IP67-rated portable speaker featuring a long-excursion driver and dual bass radiators that deliver a powerful, clear sound with a 20-hour battery life that functions as a power bank. While highly capable, the speaker lacks a microphone for calls, exhibits distortion at maximum volume, and requires pairing a second unit for stereo sound.

The JBL Charge 5 is a durable, IP67-rated portable Bluetooth speaker featuring a built-in power bank and a neutral sound profile suitable for various audio content. Key pros include a robust 14.5-hour battery life and an integrated graphic equalizer, while notable cons are the lack of deep low-bass, mono-only soundstage, significant compression at max volume, and high Bluetooth latency.

The TechHive review characterizes the JBL Charge 5 as a powerful, compact Bluetooth speaker that sacrifices legacy connectivity for superior audio performance, highlighting its robust sound, high portability, and the PartyBoost feature for linking multiple speakers. While praised for performance, the device is noted for its lack of a speakerphone, auxiliary input, and USB audio, making it a relatively expensive option for its size and feature set.

In a 4.5 out of 5-star review, TechRadar highlights the JBL Charge 5 as a balanced, rugged, and mature portable Bluetooth 5.1 speaker, praising its deep bass, robust IP67 dustproof/waterproof design, 20-hour battery life, and PartyBoost capability. However, the speaker lacks an auxiliary input, produces a directional sound rather than 360-degree audio, and can experience distortion or harsh high frequencies at volumes exceeding 50% to 60%.

The Serious Insights review characterizes the JBL Charge 5 as a durable, "meaty" speaker delivering rich audio with an improved, wide soundstage. Key pros highlighted include upgraded IP67 dust/waterproofing, Bluetooth multipoint support, and PartyBoost functionality, while cons are limited to the lack of an aux-in port, fast charging, and a built-in microphone.

The JBL Charge 5 is a durable, water-resistant portable Bluetooth speaker that earned a 127 audio score for its natural timbre, strong bass, and clear vocals, making it an excellent choice for outdoor or personal use. While praised for its performance at varying volumes, the speaker is limited by strict mono rendering, lack of low-midrange extension, and insufficient maximum volume in high-demand scenarios.

Expert Reviews rates the JBL Charge 5 as a capable, upgraded Bluetooth speaker featuring a new 20mm tweeter and larger woofer for 40W RMS output, plus IP67-rated durability and Bluetooth 5.1. While praised for its 20-hour battery life and improved audio performance, the speaker lacks a 3.5mm input, features subtle design changes, and has a basic companion app.

The Reviewed.com review highlights the JBL Charge 5 as a durable, IP67-rated speaker featuring a robust, bass-forward sound, a 20-hour battery life, and a built-in power bank for charging devices. While praised for its performance, the speaker is noted for its larger, heavier design compared to smaller alternatives and a lack of smart features, including voice assistants, a speakerphone microphone, or a 3.5mm input.

The JBL Charge 5 is a durable, IP67-rated portable speaker featuring a 20-hour battery, a USB-A power bank for external charging, and 30-watt woofer/10-watt tweeter audio that provides deep, punchy sound. Pros include its robust, waterproof design and excellent volume for its size, while cons focus on its mono sound output without a second unit, lack of high-end codecs (AAC/AptX), no built-in microphone for speakerphone functionality, and a slow, 4-hour recharge time.

The Tech Guide review praises the JBL Charge 5 as a durable, 4.5-star-rated portable speaker featuring a rugged IP67 design, 20-hour battery life, and improved audio quality through dedicated drivers. While it functions effectively as a power bank, notable drawbacks include the removal of the 3.5mm auxiliary input and a lack of backward compatibility for speaker pairing with older JBL models.

The PCMag review highlights the JBL Charge 5 as a powerful, bass-forward, and fully waterproof IP67-rated speaker that serves as a functional power bank, earning an Editors' Choice rating. While delivering impressive volume without distortion, the device lacks a speakerphone microphone, lacks backward navigation controls, and offers limited app-based EQ customization.