JBL Charge 5 vs Sony SRS-XB43

Last updated: October 10, 2026

These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #30 of 166 medium speakers by sound quality at $139.95; the Sony SRS-XB43 ranks #56 of 103 large speakers by sound quality at $150.

JBL Charge 5 vs Sony SRS-XB43

The JBL Charge 5 is the lighter option. Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. At 2.1 lbs (960 g) it weighs much less than the Sony SRS-XB43 at 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg). Watch for: Shouty upper mids.

The case for the Sony SRS-XB43: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 5. The tradeoff: Not as loud as others in the category.

One note: the Sony SRS-XB43 is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore. The Sony SRS-XB43’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 5, is still sold new.

Buy the JBL Charge 5 ($139.95) for a medium speaker; the Sony SRS-XB43 ($150) suits a large speaker instead.

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

Check JBL Charge 5 price at Amazon ($139.95) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Charge 5 Sony SRS-XB43
Price$139.95$150 Discontinued
Ranked#30 of 166 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#56 of 103 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes (Sony Music Center App)
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz53Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (3 band)Yes (3 band)
Bluetooth Latency125ms85ms
Maximum SPL99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A)
StereoNoYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight2.1 lbs (960 g)6.5 lbs (2.95 kg)
Aux InputNoYes
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBCSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Version5.15.0
Dimensions8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)12.8” x 4.8” x 4.6” (325 x 123 x 117 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)-
IP RatingIP67IP67
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Amplifier Power40W32W RMS
Built-in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)Yes
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapNo-
Lights-Yes
Check JBL Charge 5 price at Amazon ($139.95) →

Watch Them Compared

Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.

More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Charge 5:

Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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: $139.95 Amazon 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 Amazon ($139.95) →Search eBay for JBL Charge 5 →

Sony SRS-XB43: $150 Discontinued eBay

Sony SRS-XB43 ranking card

Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 5, ranked higher, rated 3.5/5, released Apr 2025. See every Sony XB and ULT generation.

Pros: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. Twin passive radiators deliver Extra Bass impact. IPX7 waterproof and rugged. Up to 24 hour battery (14 hours with lights on). Party lights for visual appeal. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Not as loud as others in the category. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically. Discontinued.

Setup: Try out +3 +6 +3 as an EQ to get it as flat as possible as mentioned in the Alan Ross video

Full Sony SRS-XB43 review and specifications →

ReleasedMay 2020 (6 years ago)
Amplifier Power32W RMS
AppYes (Sony Music Center App)
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Latency85ms
Bluetooth Version5.0
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions12.8” x 4.8” x 4.6” (325 x 123 x 117 mm)
Drivers63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators
EQYes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67
LightsYes
Maximum SPL99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/1A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSYes
Weight6.5 lbs (2.95 kg)
Search eBay for Sony SRS-XB43 →