Physical controls closely match those found on the Charge 4. That figure depends on the volume but either way that’s plenty enough stamina for most uses I used the speaker regularly for a week without needing to top it up. Stated battery life is unchanged at up to 20 hours of audio playback per charge, which is plenty for a speaker of the Charge 5’s size. The 3.5mm jack has been removed, however, so you can’t hook up external devices via an audio cable. The flap is significantly smaller than the one on the Charge 4, which gives the fifth-gen model a cleaner, more attractive appearance. On the rear of the speaker, you’ll find a USB-C charging port (a USB-C cable is included in the box) alongside a small rubber flap beneath which is a USB-A port, so the Charge 5 can double up as a power bank.
The base of the speaker has also been updated and now has rubberised strips to better grip the surface it’s placed on. The JBL logo adorning the front of the speaker has been restyled and the five LEDs that reflected the Charge 4’s battery level have been replaced by a single vertical bar that serves the same purpose. The additional dustproofing is unlikely to set your pulse racing but it’s a welcome upgrade, nonetheless. The Charge 5 is now IP67 certified (the Charge 4 was IPX7 rated), meaning it’s completely protected against the ingress of dust as well as being able to withstand submersion in water up to 1m in depth for 30 minutes. There are a couple of other design tweaks worth noting. It still weighs under a kilogram though, making it eminently portable, which is key to its appeal. That price is the same as its predecessor’s at launch and the new model retains a cylindrical shape but is a couple of millimetres wider, taller and deeper, and 15g heavier. The JBL Charge 5 will set you back £160 and is available in a vast array of colours, including red, blue, white and great. £159.00 Buy now JBL Charge 5 review: What do you get for the money?
Jbl charge 5 vs portable#
JBL Charge 5 – Portable Bluetooth Speaker with deep bass, IP67 waterproof and dustproof, 20 hours of playtime, built-in powerbank, in black
While it lacks the smarts of the Sonos Roam, which recently received our coveted Best Buy award, the Charge 5 is wonderfully rugged and possesses the audio capabilities to position itself as one of the top portable Bluetooth speakers around.
It’s now also PartyBoost compatible, which means it can be paired with recent entries into JBL’s portable speaker family, including the Boombox 2, to create a stereo or multi-speaker audio setup.
Sure enough, the JBL Charge 5 was released in March, incorporating some minor design tweaks while upgrading the speaker’s sonic output, Bluetooth connectivity and making it dustproof. When I reviewed the JBL Charge 4 last year I stopped short of giving it a wholehearted recommendation as I suspected there was a more futureproof model on the horizon. Pros Impactful soundSolid battery lifeNow dustproof as well as waterproofCons No AUX-in or microphoneLacks EQ options 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