Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi for the higher ranking, the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen for the lower price. The JBL Charge 5 Wifi ranks #25 of 134 medium speakers at $250. The Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ranks #33 at $129, $121 cheaper.
On the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen side: Pretty much identical sounding to the 1st gen. Set against that: Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail.
The case for the JBL Charge 5 Wifi: Has Wifi. Set against that: Warm sound.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | JBL Charge 5 Wifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.00 | $250 |
| Ranked | #33 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 134 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 |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 586 g | 2.2 lbs / 1000 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.6" x 2.1" (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 |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53Hz |
| Power Bank | - | Yes |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| Output Power | - | 40W |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen: $129.00 Amazon
Pros: Pretty much identical sounding to the 1st gen
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail. Self drains the battery about 10% a week.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.6" x 2.1" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 586 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Flex
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen - sound demo
- Tô Thái Trí Hùng: Unbox & Sound Test - Bose Soundlink Flex 2
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen & Soundcore Motion 300 sound test
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech!
- CEONTHEMAKING: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd Gen VS Marshall Emberton III - What’s NEW??
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Small speaker, mighty sound, The Flex gen 2 shatters physics!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bogasing M4
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bogasing G4
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Wisetiger P3
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Miatone Boompro
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs JBL Charge 6
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Minirig 4
- See all 14 comparisons
- Links
JBL Charge 5 Wifi: $250 Amazon
Pros: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive. No party mode on the wifi version
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 97 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1000 g |
| Wifi | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Bogasing M4
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Bogasing G4
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Wisetiger P3
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Miatone Boompro
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs JBL Charge 6
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Minirig 4
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Soundcore Motion+
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Soundcore Motion 300
- See all 13 comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.