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jbl charge 5 review

JBL Charge 5 Review

True Score

85
Award Icon
Absolutely Fresh
86
13

Experts

92
20.46k

Consumers

Expert Rankings

  • rtings logo
  • 0SmT2dfPSnhBnLzDPxSeIBuX3F09F4t3eUnY 7nA3M
  • pcmag logo 2

Top experts were pleased with the JBL Charge 5, and they approved it for music, podcasts, and the outdoors. They linked its balanced sound profile, portable design, and great battery life. Testers are also pleased with its IP67-rated waterproof design. However, they were displeased with its lack of voice assistants and lack of stereo.

What Is Not on the Box

What the brand doesn’t always tell you…

our Verdict

Experts praised the JBL Charge 5, endorsing it for music, podcasts, and the outdoors. Reviewers at Sound Guys adored the IP67 waterproof, dust-proof construction. Testers…

Experts praised the JBL Charge 5, endorsing it for music, podcasts, and the outdoors. Reviewers at Sound Guys adored the IP67 waterproof, dust-proof construction. Testers at Tech Hive loved its 58.2Hz to 18.5KHz frequency response range and near-neutral 0.29 slope, producing well-balanced music. It weighed just 2.0 lbs during testing. However, if you need a smaller speaker, consider the JBL Clip 4 review. Reaching an 88.9 dB maximum SPL with a 3.16 dB DRC, this unit is loud, although there’s sound compression at the highest volume. Check out our JBL Boombox 2 review if you require a louder speaker. It has a graphic EQ, and testing revealed a remarkable 14.5-hour battery life. A 125 ms iOS Bluetooth latency and 102 ms Bluetooth latency proved to be high. It lacks low-bass and has a 4.27 dB directivity index, offering a mediocre soundstage. Explore our iFox iF012 review for a wider soundstage. Also, the Charge 5 doesn’t have speakerphone functions. It doesn’t support stereo or any voice assistants.

True Score

85

Reasons to Buy

  • IP67-rated waterproof and dustproof construction
  • Well-balanced sound profile
  • Portable 2.0-lb construction
  • 14-5 hour battery life
  • Dual-device Bluetooth 5.1 connection

Reasons to Avoid

  • Lacks support for stereo
  • Narrow soundstage
  • Doesn’t support any voice assistants
  • Mediocre low-bass
  • Poor Bluetooth latency is not good for movies

Specifications

  • Battery Life
    20 hours
  • Built In Microphone
    na
  • Charge Time
    4 hours
  • Size
    3.76 inches (h) x 8.7 inches (w) x 3.67 inches (d) (Weight: 2.11 pounds)
  • Smart App
    JBL Portable
  • Speaker Pairing
    Yes
  • Water Resistant
    Yes
  • Wattage
    40 watts
  • Wireless Range
    30 meters

Overview

The JBL Charge 5 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker released in 2021, promising waterproof construction and a power bank for on-the-go users. It runs on Bluetooth 5.1, boasting an incredible 328.1-foot Bluetooth range. Find speakers with a similar Bluetooth range in our list of the top-rated speakers. This device also supports dual-device Bluetooth pairing. Featuring a PartyBoost button, it connects to other PartyBoost-compatible speakers. Continue browsing our JBL Charge 5 review below and see how it measures up against the top Bluetooth speakers today.

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Product Comparison

All Stores

  • JBL Charge 5 Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with IP67 Waterproof and USB Charge Out - Black, small
    $179.95

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    Yes

Score Card

E

Expert Score

86

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

92

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

85

Any product with a True Score above 80 is a Absolutely Fresh

Expert Score Breakdown

  • Rtings
    A

    Trust Score

    68
    JBL launched a bunch of products at CES this year, but few looked to be… read more
  • Trusted Reviews
    D

    Trust Score

    80
    Whether your season is full of trips to the beach or backyard parties, you’ll need… read more
  • PC Mag
    D

    Trust Score

    80
    JBL’s portable Charge 5 speaker delivers surprisingly powerful Bluetooth audio from a compact, waterproof frame,… read more
  • Sound Guys
    D

    Trust Score

    80
    This portable Bluetooth speaker delivers astounding audio considering its relatively diminutive scale. Our main criticism… read more
  • Digital Trends
    D

    Trust Score

    80
    The JBL Charge 5 is a great choice if you’re after a rugged Bluetooth speaker… read more
  • Tom’s Guide
    D

    Trust Score

    80
    The JBL Charge 5 is alright for music. Thanks to its balanced mids, it reproduces… read more

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