JBL Charge 5 review
IPX7 waterproofing, 20 hours of battery and a power bank built in, which is why it ends up at every barbecue.
The verdict
Give the Charge 5 to someone who takes music outside, to a garden, a beach or a campsite, because waterproofing and twenty hours of battery are what actually matter there. Skip it as a home speaker, where a mains-powered smart speaker sounds better in a room and costs less.
JBL Charge 5 Portable Waterproof Speaker, Blue
~$135
A portable Bluetooth speaker with a long excursion driver, a separate tweeter and dual bass radiators, IPX7 waterproofing and a built-in power bank.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Drivers | Optimised long excursion driver, separate tweeter and dual bass radiators |
|---|---|
| Battery | 20 hours of playtime |
| Power bank | Built in, charges devices from the speaker |
| Bluetooth | Connect up to two phones or tablets |
| Multi-speaker | PartyBoost pairing with other compatible JBL speakers |
| Protection | IPX7 waterproof and dustproof |
Specifications above come from JBL's published feature list. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- IPX7 means it survives being dropped in a pool, which is the specific thing that kills portable speakers.
- Twenty hours covers a full day outside without anyone hunting for a charger.
- The built-in power bank turns it into a useful object even when nobody is playing music.
- A separate tweeter and dual bass radiators make it noticeably fuller than the single-driver speakers at half the price.
- It is a genuinely safe gift. Almost nobody dislikes a portable speaker.
Where it falls short
- It is mono. For a room where you sit and listen, a stereo pair or a mains speaker is a better use of the money.
- The power bank drains playback time, so using it as a charger costs you music.
- PartyBoost only pairs with other PartyBoost JBL speakers, not with older JBL models or other brands.
- There is no smart assistant, no wifi and no multi-room audio. It is a Bluetooth speaker and nothing more.
- Bass radiators can be boomy indoors, which is the same tuning that makes it sound good outside.
What owners report
Owner reports on the Charge line are consistent about durability, and that is what people are actually buying. Portable speakers usually die from water or from being dropped, and IPX7 removes the first entirely. Battery life reports broadly match the twenty hour figure at moderate volume and fall well short at maximum.
The second theme is the power bank, which people either use constantly or forget exists. It is genuinely handy at a campsite and it eats playback time, so it is a trade rather than a free feature.
The third is placement. This speaker is tuned for outdoors, and indoors the bass radiators can sound heavy in a small room. If the gift is really for a kitchen or a bedroom, our Echo Dot versus Echo Dot Max comparison covers the mains-powered options that suit a room better.
Who it suits
- People who take music to gardens, beaches, campsites and pools.
- Anyone who has already broken a cheaper speaker.
- Households who want one speaker that travels rather than several that do not.
Who should skip it
- Someone who wants a room speaker, where a mains smart speaker sounds better for less.
- Anyone wanting voice assistants or multi-room audio.
- Critical listeners, since a mono portable speaker is not the tool for that.
Alternatives worth considering
Amazon Echo Dot Max
~$120
Better suited to a room, with a voice assistant, a smart home hub and room-adapting sound, for slightly less money.
Check price on AmazonBose QuietComfort Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
~$249
If most of their listening is alone or on a commute, headphones are the better gift and a speaker will barely get used.
Check price on AmazonNintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con
~$330
If the point is something the whole household enjoys together, a console does more of that than a speaker.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Is the JBL Charge 5 waterproof?
IPX7, which means it survives immersion in fresh water to the depth and duration of that standard. In practice it handles rain, poolside splashes and being dropped in, which is what actually kills portable speakers.
How long does the battery last?
JBL quote 20 hours, which is realistic at moderate volume and considerably less at maximum. Using the built-in power bank to charge a phone also reduces playback time.
Portable speaker or smart speaker as a gift?
Portable if the music goes outside; smart speaker if it stays in one room. A mains speaker sounds better in a room and adds voice control, and a portable one survives a garden.
Can you pair two of them?
Yes, using PartyBoost with other PartyBoost-enabled JBL speakers. It does not pair with older JBL models that use a different system or with other brands, so check before buying a second.
Does it work as a phone charger?
Yes, there is a built-in power bank. It is genuinely useful at a campsite, and it draws from the same battery, so charging a phone shortens the music.
Keep reading
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.