Short answer: the JBL Charge 5. It ranks #30 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $114.95. The Walla Sound ranks #163, rated 2.2/5, at $49.99, $64.96 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Charge 5 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 10dB, against 90Hz for the Walla Sound. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 8 for the Walla Sound. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Walla Sound. The tradeoff: Shouty upper mids.
The Walla Sound is the lighter option. A small shockproof speaker with an aux input, microSD playback and a built in microphone. At 0.7 lbs (300 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge 5 at 2.1 lbs (960 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. The catch: No bass, gets distorted when turned up.
Buy the JBL Charge 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $64.96 with the Walla Sound does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone.
A small shockproof speaker with an aux input, microSD playback and a built in microphone.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | Walla Sound | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $49.99 |
| Ranked | #30 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #163 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | ~90Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 2.7” x 2.7” x 6.3” (68 x 68 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 30mm metal diaphragm driver |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 10W (2 x 5W) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
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