JBL Charge 5 vs Marshall Stockwell 2

Last updated: August 8, 2026

Short answer: the Stockwell 2, if the extra $20 and its DSP reverb aren’t dealbreakers. It’s rated 4.5 and ranks #11 of 76 large speakers at $200. The Charge 5 is rated 4.0 and ranks #26 of 135 medium speakers at $179.95.

Our notes call the Stockwell 2 possibly the most natural sounding Marshall speaker, with excellent off-axis behavior. The catch is a DSP reverb effect that’s always on, which our notes say audio purists may find annoying, and it isn’t stereo or especially loud.

The Charge 5’s complaints are more conventional. A warm sound, shouty upper mids, boosted bass, and slightly rolled-off treble, plus a price our notes call overly expensive for what it delivers. It does double as a USB power bank, which the Stockwell 2 doesn’t.

Buy the Stockwell 2 for the more natural sound and higher rating, if you can live with the always-on reverb. Buy the Charge 5 for the power bank function and JBL’s broader ecosystem.

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Charge 5 Marshall Stockwell 2
Price$179.95$200
Ranked#26 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#11 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz44Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (3 band)No
Bluetooth Latency125ms50ms
Max Volume99dB96dB
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)No
Power BankYesNo
StereoNoNo
TWSYesNo
Weight2.1 lbs / 960 g3.1 lbs / 1.4 kg
Aux InputNoYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBCSBC
Bluetooth Version5.15.0
Dimensions8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)7.1" x 6.3" x 2.8" (180 x 161 x 70 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter3" woofer, 2x 2" fullrange tweeters
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67IPX4
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Output Power40W20W
Built in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)Yes

The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Charge 5: $179.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo

JBL Charge 5 ranking card

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.

AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC
Bluetooth Latency125ms
Bluetooth Version5.1
Built in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)
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
Max Volume99dB
Output Power40W
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSYes
Weight2.1 lbs / 960 g
Check current price at Amazon ($179.95) →Check current price at Bhphotovideo →

Marshall Stockwell 2: $200 Amazon

Marshall Stockwell 2 ranking card

Pros: Possibly the most natural sounding Marshall speaker. Excellent off-axis.

Cons: Not stereo. Not very loud. Uses added DSP reverb which audio purists may find annoying.

AppNo
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)44Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency50ms
Bluetooth Version5.0
Built in MicrophoneYes
Dimensions7.1" x 6.3" x 2.8" (180 x 161 x 70 mm)
Drivers3" woofer, 2x 2" fullrange tweeters
EQNo
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIPX4
Max Volume96dB
Output Power20W
Party ModeNo
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSNo
Weight3.1 lbs / 1.4 kg
Check current price at Amazon ($200) →

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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.