Short answer: the Charge 5, unless the light show is specifically what you’re buying. These rank #26 and #42 out of 133 medium speakers, at $179.95 and $199.99 - the Pulse costs more and ranks lower.
The Pulse 5 exists for one reason, and it isn’t sound. Its own listed advantage is a cool light show - though our notes add that it isn’t synced to the music the way the older Pulse 2’s was, which undercuts the one thing that would justify the premium. Its plastic shell also scratches easily.
The Charge 5 isn’t a great value pick either, to be clear. Our own notes call it overly expensive for what it delivers, with a warm, boosted-bass tuning, shouty upper mids, and no stereo. It still beats the Pulse 5 on every measured axis: it reaches deeper bass, and it does something genuinely useful the Pulse doesn’t - it doubles as a USB-A power bank for charging your phone.
Neither is a top pick in this size class. Both sit in the bottom half of a 133-speaker ranking. If sound is the actual priority rather than a light show or a specific JBL preference, the medium size class has considerably better options for similar money - see the portable buyer’s guide.
Buy the Charge 5 for better sound and the power-bank function. Buy the Pulse 5 only if the light show itself is the feature you’re buying, understanding it isn’t music-synced.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.95 | $199.99 |
| Ranked | #26 of 133 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 133 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Output Power | 40W | 40W |
| 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 |
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
JBL Pulse 5: $199.99 Amazon
Pros: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2.
Cons: Not quite as deep bass as others. Plastic scratches easily.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 7, 2026 at 5:43 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.