These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Charge 5 Wifi ranks #29 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $139.95; the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 ranks #18 of 62 small speakers by sound quality at $129.
The JBL Charge 5 Wifi is the longer-running pick. 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 is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Bose Soundlink Micro 2. The tradeoff: Shouty upper mids.
The Bose Soundlink Micro 2 is the lighter pick. A waterproof mini speaker with a fabric strap for bags and bikes and USB-C charging. At 0.7 lbs (329 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge 5 Wifi at 2.2 lbs (1 kg). It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the JBL Charge 5 Wifi lacks. It links with other speakers (Bose Party mode), which the JBL Charge 5 Wifi cannot. Watch for: Lack of clarity.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi ($139.95) for a medium speaker; the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 ($129) suits a small speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 Wifi | Bose Soundlink Micro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.95 | $129.00 |
| Ranked | #29 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) | 0.7 lbs (329 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | AAC, aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 97 x 94 mm) | 4.1” x 4.1” x 1.7” (104 x 104 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music | - |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | No |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
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