JBL Charge 5 vs Sony SRS-XE300

Last updated: August 8, 2026

Short answer: the Charge 5, and the XE300’s own review makes the case. It ranks #26 of 135 medium speakers at $179.95; the XE300 ranks #90 at $137, with cons that describe it as worse than Sony’s own XB43.

The XE300’s real complaints are about clarity, not features. Orientation-aware playback and Party Connect for up to 100 speakers are genuine conveniences, but our notes call the sound muffled and hollow, without much bass.

The Charge 5 isn’t a great value pick either, to be clear. Our notes call it overly expensive for what it delivers, with warm, shouty, boosted-bass tuning. It still beats the XE300 on measured sound, and it doubles as a USB power bank.

Buy the Charge 5 for the better sound and the power bank function. Buy the XE300 only if Sony’s ecosystem specifically matters to you.

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Charge 5 Sony SRS-XE300
Price$179.95$137
Ranked#26 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#90 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes (Sony Music Center)
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz-
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (3 band)Yes (via app)
Bluetooth Latency125ms-
Max Volume99dB-
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)Yes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYesNo
StereoNoYes
TWSYesYes
Weight2.1 lbs / 960 g2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg
Aux InputNoNo
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBCSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Version5.15.2
Dimensions8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)9.37" x 4.13" x 4.69" (238 x 105 x 119 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter2x 49x71mm X-Balanced speaker units + 2x passive radiators
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)-
IP RatingIP67IP67
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Output Power40W16W
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 →

Sony SRS-XE300: $137 Amazon

Sony SRS-XE300 ranking card

Pros: IP67 rated. Orientation-aware playback switches to stereo when laid flat. Party Connect links up to 100 speakers; fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback).

Cons: Muffled sounding, not very deep bass. Hollow sounding. Worse than a XB43

AppYes (Sony Music Center)
Aux InputNo
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Version5.2
Built in MicrophoneYes
Dimensions9.37" x 4.13" x 4.69" (238 x 105 x 119 mm)
Drivers2x 49x71mm X-Balanced speaker units + 2x passive radiators
EQYes (via app)
IP RatingIP67
Output Power16W
Party ModeYes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers)
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSYes
Weight2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg
Check current price at Amazon ($137) →

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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.