JBL Charge 5 vs Sony XB33

Last updated: August 8, 2026

Short answer: the Charge 5, and the ranking gap is substantial. It ranks #26 of 135 medium speakers at $179.95; the XB33 ranks #59 at $110, $70 less.

The XB33’s feature list includes app-controlled LED lighting and Party Connect for up to 100 speakers. Our notes describe real tonal issues: upper bass peaks, a midrange dip, upper midrange peaks, and a speaker that turns itself down automatically rather than holding at max volume.

The Charge 5 isn’t a great value pick either. Our notes call it overly expensive for what it delivers, with warm, shouty, boosted-bass tuning. It still measures better than the XB33, and it doubles as a USB power bank.

Buy the Charge 5 for the better measured sound and the power bank function. Buy the XB33 if the lighting and the lower price matter more to you.

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Charge 5 Sony XB33
Price$179.95$110
Ranked#26 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#59 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes (Sony Music Connect App)
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz50Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (3 band)Yes (3 band)
Bluetooth Latency125ms110ms
Max Volume99dB97dB
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)Yes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYesYes
StereoNoYes
TWSYes-
Weight2.1 lbs / 960 g2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg
Aux InputNoNo
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBCSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Version5.15.0
Dimensions8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)9.69" x 3.82" x 4.17" (246 x 97 x 106 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)-
IP RatingIP67IP67
Power InputUSB-C-
Output Power40W16W RMS
Built in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)-

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 XB33: $110

Sony XB33 ranking card

Pros: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). App-controlled color LED lighting, Party Connect links up to 100 speakers. ~19 hour real-world battery without lights.

Cons: Not very loud. Upper bass peaks, midrange dip, upper midrange peaks, not very neutral. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.

AppYes (Sony Music Connect App)
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)50Hz
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Bluetooth Latency110ms
Bluetooth Version5.0
Dimensions9.69" x 3.82" x 4.17" (246 x 97 x 106 mm)
Drivers2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators
EQYes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67
Max Volume97dB
Output Power16W RMS
Party ModeYes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes
StereoYes
Weight2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg

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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.