Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 for better sound quality, the Tozo PA1 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #26 of 135 medium speakers at $134.95. The Tozo PA1 ranks #51 at $36, $98.95 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Charge 5: it doubles as a power bank with USB-A output for charging your phone, is IP67 rated to survive a 1m dunk for 30 minutes, and gets roughly 20 hours of battery life. The catch: it’s not stereo, sounds warm with shouty upper mids and boosted bass, treble is slightly rolled off, and it’s overly expensive.
What the Tozo PA1 gets right: switching to the bass model gets you the flattest response, and it delivers pretty deep bass for the money. Set against that: it peaks in the upper mids, low treble, and has a big peak in the upper treble.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tozo PA1 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | Tozo PA1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $134.95 | $36 |
| Ranked | #26 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #51 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | 220ms |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 98dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g | 1.3 lbs / 581 g |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 8.3" x 3.6" x 2.4" (210 x 91 x 61 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 67mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX6 |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Output Power | 40W | 20W |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 5: $134.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
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.
Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 6 or the JBL Charge 5? don’t go home till you watch this!
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge 6 🎶👌Unboxing 📦vs Jbl Charge 5 Short Test Audio i Hz.
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Review - Worth Upgrading Even If You Have The JBL Charge 5
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 and Charge 3 - best JBL charge 5 review 2021?
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- Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 5 - unboxing & first impressions
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- The Tech Files: JBL CHARGE 5 Vs. CHARGE ESSENTIAL 2 #shorts
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- New Stuff TV 2: Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Flip 6, JBL Charge 5 & Soundcore Motion 300
- Techder Audios: JBL PULSE 5 VS JBL CHARGE 5 “LIGHTS VS BASS?!”
- Storytripper HD: Klipsch Nashville vs JBL Charge 5
- Flossy Carter: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Storytripper HD: KEF MUO vs JBL Charge 5
- KULAS TECH SHOW: JBL Charge 5 vs Tronsmart Mirtune S100 - Sound Comparison💥🔥
- Alan Ross Reviews: UE Megaboom 3 review vs JBL Charge 5 & Motion Boom! how bad can it be??
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XE300 vs JBL Charge 5
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 5 Vs Sony XE300 - How Can You Mess Up This Bad?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Stockwell 2 Review and huge sound test! - vs JBL Charge 5! 💯
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Boom vs Sony XB43 - a step to far? 🤪
- DIGI-EARS: Xdobo X8 Max vs. JBL Charge 5 vs. Anker Soundcore Motion+ vs. Tribit Stormbox Pro Sound Test Battle
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tozo PA1: $36 Amazon
Pros: Use bass model for flattest response. Pretty deep bass for the money.
Cons: Peaks in the upper mids, low treble and a big peak in upper treble.
Full Tozo PA1 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3" x 3.6" x 2.4" (210 x 91 x 61 mm) |
| Drivers | 67mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 98dB |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 581 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: 1 million views! Best Budget Tws? Tozo Pa1 Review and sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Flow has deeper bass than the Bose Flex but………..
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: On A Ledge 🪟 Soundcore Motion 300 vs Tozo PA1 ⚒ Battle of the Budget Handheld Bluetooth Speakers
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Newly Released! Skullcandy Terrain XL 🦨 Quick Overview & Sound Comparison with JBL Flip 6 & Tozo PA1
- Reddit Search for Tozo PA1 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons


