These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #30 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $114.95; the JBL Xtreme 4 ranks #43 of 120 large speakers by sound quality at $309.95.
The JBL Charge 5 is the lighter pick. 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 much less than the JBL Xtreme 4 at 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Xtreme 4 lacks. The tradeoff: Shouty upper mids.
The JBL Xtreme 4 is the louder option. A rugged, waterproof speaker with clear, punchy sound, a swappable battery, a power bank and excellent real world battery life. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 106dB at full volume, against 99dB for the JBL Charge 5. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 5. The tradeoff: It cannot produce the deep rumble of a larger speaker, and bass compression increases near maximum volume.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 ($114.95) for a medium speaker; the JBL Xtreme 4 ($309.95) suits a large speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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 | JBL Xtreme 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $309.95 |
| Ranked | #30 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #43 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (5 band) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | 220ms |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | 11.7” x 5.9” x 5.6” (297 x 149 x 141 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 100W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
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