Short answer: the JBL Charge 5. It ranks #30 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $114.95. The Skullcandy Terrain XT ranks #173, rated 2.1/5, at $59.99, $54.96 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Charge 5 is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 14 for the Skullcandy Terrain XT. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Skullcandy Terrain XT lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Skullcandy Terrain XT lacks. Watch for: Shouty upper mids.
The Skullcandy Terrain XT is the lighter choice. A waterproof speaker with a wrist wrap for carrying and pairing with other Skullcandy speakers. At 1.6 lbs (720 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge 5 at 2.1 lbs (960 g). Watch for: Shares the Terrain line’s tuning: no bass, very rolled off treble, and distortion in the treble.
Buy the JBL Charge 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $54.96 with the Skullcandy Terrain XT does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | Skullcandy Terrain XT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $59.99 |
| Ranked | #30 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #173 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 90dB SPL (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (SKDY Multi-Link, up to 99 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.6 lbs (720 g) |
| 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) | 3.1” x 3.1” x 6.3” (79 x 79 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 48mm drivers + passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (wrist strap) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge 5: reviews by Oluv, Alan Ross and Mateusz Cholewa.
- Skullcandy Terrain XT: reviews by FishBee Product and Flossy Carter.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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