JBL Charge 5 Review

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6.1
Expert ScoreRead review

The JBL Charge 5 is a powerful portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers exceptional sound quality, making it perfect for music lovers who are always on the go. It boasts an impressive battery life, a durable design, and convenient features such as waterproofing and USB-C charging. Whether you’re hosting a party or want some background music while working, the JBL Charge 5 is the perfect companion for all your audio needs.

$179.00

Category:

JBL Charge 5 has selected itself as a front-runner in portable Bluetooth speakers. JBL has become interchangeable with quality sound and sound design, from the strand to the assembly room. Their latest release mostly caught the attention of audiophiles, tech fans, and music lovers alike.

Quick Highlights/Key Features

  • The JBL Charge 5 is a compact Bluetooth speaker that delivers powerful sound even when you’re away from home.
  • It has immense punch and background, with custom-built dual drivers and bass reflex ports.
  • The IPX7 waterproof feature of the speaker confirms its suitability for use in outdoor or near-water areas like a pool.
  • The battery connection lasts up to 20 hours.
  • A built-in power bank will charge your gadgets.
  • Multiple attractive colors to blend in with your style.
  • You can connect multiple JBL Connect-enabled speakers for an amplified listening experience.
  • The speaker has a durable fabric and rugged rubber housing, making it sturdy and resistant to wear and tear.
  • USB-C charging ports make faster charging and compatibility possible with newer devices.
  • Microphone for hands-free calls and a voice assistant.
  • It weighs 1.26 kg, and it is easily portable.

Features and What’s New

The main novelties of the Charge 5 result from an advance over the already-present features of the Charge 4 by JBL. The speaker gets Nan’s new IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating as its main improved feature. It can stay underwater at pressure under 1 meter deep for half an hour. All those individuals who love outdoor activities get this revolutionary option tremendously.

Additionally, Charge 5 has the JBL Party Boost feature, which is an advantage of setting multiple speakers together to play the same song. Its high level of power protection and 24-hour working time enable it to charge your device beforehand.

Specification

The JBL Charge 5 claims some impressive specifications:

  • Battery Type: Lithium-ion Polymer 27Wh (equivalent to 3.6V 7500mAh)
  • Battery Charge Time: 4 hours (5V/3A)
  • Music Playtime: Up to 20 hours (varies by volume level and audio content)
  • Weight: 960g
  • Dimensions: 220 x 95 x 93mm
  • Bluetooth version: 5.1

These specs promise robust performance for a speaker in this size and price range.

Sound Quality

A critical factor for any speaker is its sound quality. Despite its compact size, JBL is known for its powerful bass, and the Charge 5 proudly continues that legacy. The dual passive radiators enhance the low end, giving the speaker a surprising punch that can handle various music genres.

The Charge 5 delivers clear minds and highs, perfect for vocal-centric tracks and podcasts. With a frequency response of 65 Hz–20 kHz, it can capture a comprehensive range of audio details, confirming a well-rounded audio experience.

Design and Usability

The Charge 5 has a tube-shaped design similar to its predecessor, with a fabric-covered shell that adds strength. The control buttons, including the new Party Boost button, are backlit and positioned on the top for easy access. It also sports a built-in carabineer, making it suitable for clipping onto your pack or belt loop.

The usability is top-notch, with the Charge 5 memorizing up to 8 Bluetooth devices and being able to connect to two simultaneously. The combined USB-C port for charging and aux input adds flexibility, especially with a pass-through charging feature.

In the Box

  • JBL Charge 5
  • USB-C to USB-A charging cable
  • Quick Start Guide

Availability of JBL Charge 5

The revamped JBL Charge 5 is trending among music lovers and is available at multiple electronic shops and websites. A prominent American discount store chain such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, along with the JBL official site, make it possible to buy the JBL headphones. Besides that, another option a consumer has to purchase this product is online on Amazon marketplaces.

Price and Release Date

Retail Price:$179.95

The JBL Charge 5 is updated for the 2021 JBL blend and has only been out for a few months, which, along with other competitors, may lack a broader market presence. The retail price of $179.95 is the only option that balances high-end audio quality and affordability.

Comparison with competitors

  • The JBL Charge 5 has a longer battery life than competitors like the UE Boom and Bose SoundLink Revolve.
  • JBL Charge 5 outperforms all other competitors, UE Boom and Bose SoundLink Revolve, regarding long battery life.
  • Since it is IPX7 waterproof and Sonos Roam, it also has a higher rating, making it more suitable for outside use.
  • Apart from this, the Charge 5 boasts the bonus of an integrated power bank like the Sony SRS-XB33.
  • Their exclusive feature is that JBL has made multiple devices with JBL Connect-enabled speakers and provides a much more comprehensive range than Amazon Echo and Google Home speakers.
  • Regarding the sound quality of the JBL Charge 5, we see that the device is receiving positive reviews repeatedly and is being praised for its powerful, rich bass sound.

The JBL Charge 5 Feedback:

The JBL Charge 5 has received high user marks for its sound quality, durability, and portability. Many have also appreciated the added features like the power bank and hands-free calling. Customers have also noted the speaker’s availability in various stores and countries. So far, most users have been satisfied with their purchase and would highly recommend the JBL Charge 5 to others.

Whatspeaker Verdict

The JBL Charge 5 is a well-meaning replacement for the Charge series. Its features make it an adaptable and dynamic portable speaker with sound quality suitable for the JBL name. The additional benefits, such as lengthy battery life and the new IP67 rating, make it an ideal choice for outdoor fans. Although not without minor disadvantages, the Charge 5 holds up well in the packed Bluetooth speaker market. If you’re in the market for a speaker that delivers sound, stability, and features, the Charge 5 is one to consider.

They might be the best audio sidekick for audiophiles, techies, and music lovers panning the market. If hoi polloi are lucky enough to buy the product and post positive comments, it gives it a serious chance to break into the top in its niche. Whether on a trail or at home, the Charge 5 is a running buddy that allows you to hear unheard voices that are perfectly understood.

6.1Expert Score
Pros and Cons
Every product has its strengths and areas that it could improve upon. The JBL Charge 5 is no exclusion:
Music
6.7
Videos/Movies
5.9
Podcasts
7.2
Voice Assistant
2.6
Outdoors
7.9
PROS
  • Excellent sound quality, especially in the bass department.
  • Long battery life and the capability to charge external devices.
  • Improved water and dust resistance with an IP67 rating.
  • Backward compatible with JBL Connect+ for easy connectivity to other JBL speakers with Party Boost.
CONS
  • The form factor, while durable, may appeal to something other than those seeking a sleeker or minimalist design.
  • At almost a kilogram, it's heavier than some competitors, which may affect portability for some users.
  • While it's competitively priced, there are inexpensive options on the market if you're not looking for the specific features of Charge 5.

Specification: JBL Charge 5 Review

Speaker General Specifications
Announced Date

January 7, 2021

Connectivity Technology

5.1

Manufacturer

JBL

Maximum Output Power

40W

Model Name

JBL Charge 5

Model Number

JBLCHRGE5BLK

Released Date

February 22, 2021

Speaker Type

Outdoor

Status

Yes

Speaker Design & Display
Equalizer

Yes

Portable

Yes

Power Source

Battery & USB port

RGB Lights

No

Volume

121 in³ (1,982 cm³)

Weight

2.0 lbs (0.9 kg)

Speaker Build Quality
Dust Resistance

Dust-Proof (IP6x)

Floats In Water

Unspecified

Impact Resistance

Unspecified

Material Quality

Great

Water Resistance

Submersible (IPx7)

Speaker Controls
Additional Controls

Yes

Call Answer/End

No

Ease Of Use

Great

Feedback

Good

Microphone On/Off

No

Music Play/Pause

Yes (Physical)

Track Next/Previous

Forward Only (Physical)

Volume Up/Down

Yes (Physical)

In the Box
Charger

N/A

Charging Cable

USB-C to USB-A charging cable

Speaker

JBL Charge 5

User Manual

Quick Start Guide

Speaker Battery
Battery Life

14.5 hrs

Battery Powered

Yes

Charge Time

3.8 hrs

Charging Port

USB-C

Power Saving

Yes

Speaker Voice Assistant
Alexa

No

Ambient Noise Performance

No Microphone

Far-Field Performance

No Microphone

Google Assistant

No

Microphone Mute

No

Siri

No

Speakerphone

No

Voice Activation

No

Voice Assistant

No

Speaker Party App
Android

Yes

App Name

JBL Portable

EQ

Yes

iOS

Yes

Multi-Room

No

Party Mode

Yes

Stereo Pair Mode

Yes

Speaker Wired Connectivity
Aux Input

No

Other Ports

Yes

USB Audio

No

Speaker Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth

Yes

Bluetooth Android Latency

102 ms

Bluetooth iOS Latency

125 ms

Bluetooth Range

328.1 ft (100.0 m)

Bluetooth Version

5.1

Multi-Device Pairing

2 Devices

Speaker Wi-Fi Connectivity
AirPlay Latency

N/A

Apple AirPlay

No

Chromecast Latency

N/A

Google Chromecast

No

Wi-Fi

No

Wi-Fi Frequency Band

No Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi Version

No Wi-Fi

Filters
Cell Phone Compatibility

Apple iPhone, Asus, Google, Honor, HTC, Lenovo, LG, Nokia, Oppo, Realme, Samsung, Sony, Vivo, Xiaomi

Connectivity Protocol

Bluetooth

Search By Audio Output Mode

Stereo

Search By Battery Capacity

2,410 mAh & above

Search By Battery Life

14 h & above

Search By Color

Black, Blue, Green, Grey, Pink, Red, Squad, White

Search By Connectivity

Bluetooth

Search By Connector Type

N/A

Search By Controller Type

App, Button

Search By Frequency Response

Up to 99 kHz

Search By Maximum Range

33.0 ft & above

Search By Output Power

Up to 69 W

Search By Price

$100 to $200

Search By Speaker Controls

App, Button

search By Speaker Depth

Up to 6.9 in

Search By Speaker Width

Up to 5.9 in

Sound Channel Configuration

Unspecified

Wireless Technology

Bluetooth

Specification
Search By Impedance

Up to 3.9 kΩ

Supported Internet Services

Apple Music, Spotify, Youtube Music

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