These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $399; the JBL Charge 5 ranks #30 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $114.95.
The case for the Bose SoundLink Max: A rugged waterproof speaker with deep bass, a very long real world battery and a port that charges your phone. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. The catch: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
The JBL Charge 5 is the lighter option. A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone. At 2.1 lbs (960 g) it weighs much less than the Bose SoundLink Max at 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Bose SoundLink Max lacks. It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the Bose SoundLink Max cannot. Watch for: Shouty upper mids.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max at $399 if you want a large speaker. Buy the JBL Charge 5 at $114.95 if you want a medium speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | JBL Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $114.95 |
| Ranked | #17 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes (dual microphones) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | 125ms |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 band) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 40W |
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