Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 for the higher ranking, the JBL Charge Essential for the lower price. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #26 of 134 medium speakers at $179.95. The JBL Charge Essential ranks #68 at $73.99, $105.96 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Charge 5: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. Set against that: Not stereo.
What the JBL Charge Essential gets right: Doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Charge Essential if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | JBL Charge Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.95 | $73.99 |
| Ranked | #26 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #68 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g | 1.7 lbs / 770 g |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8.39" x 3.50" x 3.43" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Output Power | 40W | 20W RMS |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | - |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 5: $179.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. ~20 hour battery life.
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 5 - unboxing & first impressions
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bogasing M4 Review - vs JBL Charge 5 & Motion Plus - a new contender?
- The Tech Files: JBL CHARGE 5 Vs. CHARGE ESSENTIAL 2 #shorts
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei sound joy vs JBL Charge 5 and Flip 6 - top mono speaker! 🤓
- New Stuff TV 2: Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Flip 6, JBL Charge 5 & Soundcore Motion 300
- Techder Audios: JBL PULSE 5 VS JBL CHARGE 5 “LIGHTS VS BASS?!”
- Storytripper HD: Klipsch Nashville vs JBL Charge 5
- Flossy Carter: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Storytripper HD: KEF MUO vs JBL Charge 5
- KULAS TECH SHOW: JBL Charge 5 vs Tronsmart Mirtune S100 - Sound Comparison💥🔥
- Alan Ross Reviews: UE Megaboom 3 review vs JBL Charge 5 & Motion Boom! how bad can it be??
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XE300 vs JBL Charge 5
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 5 Vs Sony XE300 - How Can You Mess Up This Bad?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Stockwell 2 Review and huge sound test! - vs JBL Charge 5! 💯
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Boom vs Sony XB43 - a step to far? 🤪
- DIGI-EARS: Xdobo X8 Max vs. JBL Charge 5 vs. Anker Soundcore Motion+ vs. Tribit Stormbox Pro Sound Test Battle
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 6
- JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Pulse 5
- JBL Charge 5 vs Marshall Stockwell 2
- JBL Charge 5 vs Sony SRS-XE300
- JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- JBL Charge 5 vs Sony XB33
- JBL Charge 5 vs Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Charge 5 vs Bogasing M4
- JBL Charge 5 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- JBL Charge 5 vs Huawei Sound Joy
- JBL Charge 5 vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- JBL Charge 5 vs Tronsmart Mirtune S100
- JBL Charge 5 vs Sony ULT Field 1
- JBL Charge 5 vs Xdobo X8 Max
- JBL Charge 5 vs KEF Muo gen2
- JBL Charge 5 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- JBL Charge 5 vs Turtlebox Ranger
- Links
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.39" x 3.50" x 3.43" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs / 770 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.