Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Bose SoundLink Plus ranks #25 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $179; the JBL Charge 5 ranks #30 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $114.95.
What the Bose SoundLink Plus does well: A waterproof mid size speaker with vibrant sound, booming bass, clean mids, a long battery and premium build. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 5. The catch: Boosted thuddy bass, but not as deep as the SoundLink Flex and you should probably just buy one of those instead if you want a Bose.
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 noticeably less than the Bose SoundLink Plus at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Bose SoundLink Plus lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Bose SoundLink Plus lacks. The tradeoff: Shouty upper mids.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Plus at $179 for a large speaker, or the JBL Charge 5 at $114.95 for a medium speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM 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 Plus | JBL Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.00 | $114.95 |
| Ranked | #25 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes (dual microphones) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 band) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.9” x 3.4” (231 x 99 x 86 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2.5” (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78” (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 125ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 40W |
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