Short answer: the JBL Charge 5. It ranks #30 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $114.95. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 ranks #180, rated 2.0/5, at $62.99, $51.96 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The JBL Charge 5 is the better-sounding, 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 Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 at 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg). It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: Shouty upper mids.
The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 is the longer-running pick. A nearly indestructible waterproof speaker that doubles as a power bank, with a clip for bikes, kayaks or backpacks. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge 5. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. The tradeoff: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews of the line generally.
Buy the JBL Charge 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $51.96 you would save on the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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
| JBL Charge 5 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $62.99 |
| Ranked | #30 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #180 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | Yes |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8.6” x 4.2” x 4.6” (218 x 107 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 10W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (mounting clip) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge 5: reviews by Oluv, Alan Ross and Mateusz Cholewa.
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2: reviews by GYMCADDY.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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