Short answer: the JBL Charge 5. It ranks #30 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $114.95. The Beats Pill 2024 ranks #78, rated 3.3/5, at $99.95, $15 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The JBL Charge 5 is the better-sounding pick. A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Beats Pill 2024 lacks. Watch for: Shouty upper mids.
The Beats Pill 2024 is the lighter option. A compact waterproof speaker with long battery life, fast charging, a power bank port and stereo pairing. At 1.5 lbs (680 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge 5 at 2.1 lbs (960 g). The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass, somewhat thuddy.
Buy the JBL Charge 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $15 with the Beats Pill 2024 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone.
A compact waterproof speaker with long battery life, fast charging, a power bank port and stereo pairing.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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 | Beats Pill 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $99.95 |
| Ranked | #30 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #78 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | ~56Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| 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 (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8.6” x 2.8” x 2.8” (219 x 71 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x drivers with dual passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | No | Yes (lanyard) |
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