JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Grip

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Charge 5. It ranks #30 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $114.95. The JBL Grip ranks #99, rated 3.1/5, at $99.95, $15 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.

JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Grip

The Charge 5 is the bigger, fuller JBL. A racetrack woofer and 20mm tweeter on 40W reach about 53Hz before falling 10dB, it claims 20 hours of battery, doubles as a power bank and links through PartyBoost. Its sound is warm, with boosted bass and shouty upper mids.

The Grip is much smaller and lighter. At 0.8 lbs (385 g) it weighs less than half the Charge 5’s 2.1 lbs (960 g), it is rated IP68, and it adds a 7-band EQ, Auracast and a themed back light. Its single full-range driver lacks deep bass, falling 10dB around 68Hz, and its highs are rolled off.

Buy the JBL Charge 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $15 with the JBL Grip does not make up for the sound-quality gap.

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Check JBL Charge 5 price at Woot ($114.95) →Check JBL Grip price at Amazon ($99.95) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Charge 5 JBL Grip
Price$114.95$99.95
Ranked#30 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#99 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz~68Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)14 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (3 band)Yes (7 band)
Bluetooth Latency125ms-
Maximum SPL99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)-
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)Yes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)-
StereoNoNo
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight2.1 lbs (960 g)0.8 lbs (385 g)
Aux InputNoNo
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBCSBC
Bluetooth Version5.15.4
Dimensions8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter1x 43x80mm fullrange
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67IP68
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Amplifier Power40W16W
Built-in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)-
Digital Aux InputNoYes (USB-C)
StrapNoYes (strap)
Lights-Yes
Check JBL Charge 5 price at Woot ($114.95) →Check JBL Grip price at Amazon ($99.95) →

How JBL Charge 5 compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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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The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Charge 5: $114.95 Amazon $139.95 Woot $114.95 Lowest eBay

JBL Charge 5 ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025. It adds USB audio input, but drops the built-in mic. Battery life goes from 20 to 24 hours. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.

Older models: the JBL Charge 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5), the JBL Charge 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.

Same family: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi (larger model, ranked higher, rated 4/5).

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. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.

Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →

ReleasedMar 2021 (5 years ago)
Amplifier Power40W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC
Bluetooth Latency125ms
Bluetooth Version5.1
Built-in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter
EQYes (3 band)
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapNo
TWSYes
Weight2.1 lbs (960 g)
Check current price at Woot ($114.95) →Check current price at Amazon ($139.95) →Search eBay for JBL Charge 5 →

JBL Grip: $99.95 Amazon $99.95 B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Grip ranking card

Pros: Ambient light on the back with settable themes. Measured bass extension of ~68Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip. Not as much clarity as higher ranked speakers, rolled off highs and wavy midrange

Setup: EQ from Oluv in his post can help it a bit but still isn’t very neutral

Full JBL Grip review and specifications →

ReleasedSep 2025 (1 year ago)
Amplifier Power16W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)~68Hz
Battery Life14 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.4
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Dimensions2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm)
Drivers1x 43x80mm fullrange
EQYes (7 band)
Frequency Response70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP68
LightsYes
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapYes (strap)
TWSYes
Weight0.8 lbs (385 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($99.95) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Grip →