Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi if you want Wifi, otherwise it is a wash. The Charge 5 Wifi adds Wifi but still sounds warm. The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen sounds pretty much identical to the 1st gen, though its warm sound with overly boosted bass drowns out midrange detail.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi is rated for 20 hours, the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen only 12 hours.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | JBL Charge 5 Wifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.00 | $139.95 |
| Ranked | #37 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes (dual microphones) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (586 g) | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 97 x 94 mm) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | AAC, SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53Hz |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| Amplifier Power | - | 40W |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Charge 5 Wifi: