Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi. It ranks #29 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $139.95. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 ranks #180, rated 2.0/5, at $62.99, $76.96 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Charge 5 Wifi is the better-sounding option. A rugged waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound plus Wi-Fi streaming over AirPlay and Chromecast, long battery life and a phone charging port. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Shouty upper mids.
The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 is the longer-running pick. A nearly indestructible waterproof speaker that doubles as a power bank, with a clip for bikes, kayaks or backpacks. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the JBL Charge 5 Wifi. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 Wifi lacks. The tradeoff: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews of the line generally.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $76.96 with the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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 Wifi | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.95 | $62.99 |
| Ranked | #29 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #180 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | - |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 97 x 94 mm) | 8.6” x 4.2” x 4.6” (218 x 107 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music | - |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 10W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (mounting clip) |
Where the Ratings Come From
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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