These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $399; the JBL Charge 6 ranks #12 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $149.95.
What the Bose SoundLink Max does well: 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 6 lacks. Watch for: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
The JBL Charge 6 is the lighter pick. A waterproof medium speaker with a long battery and a power bank output, with more balanced sound than older Charge models. At 2.2 lbs (990 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 (Auracast), which the Bose SoundLink Max cannot. Watch for: Still some boosted bass by default.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max at $399 if you want a large speaker. Buy the JBL Charge 6 at $149.95 if you want a medium speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $149.95 |
| Ranked | #17 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #12 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) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 2.2 lbs (990 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| EQ | No | Yes (7 band) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 9” x 3.9” x 3.7” (228.8 x 98.5 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 | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Frequency Response | - | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 45W |
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