Short answer: the JBL Charge 6. It ranks #12 of 179 medium speakers by measured sound quality against #29 for the Charge 5 Wifi, and it costs $10 less, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh unless WiFi streaming specifically matters to you.
The Charge 6 measures more neutral where it counts. Its own notes describe it as seeming more neutral than the Charge 5 line generally, with a flatter response through the mids and treble since the Charge 5 platform was quite rolled off up high. The tradeoff is that the Charge 6 still carries some boosted bass by default and a slightly V shaped response, with recessed mids and brightness above 2kHz, though published EQ presets exist to flatten it further.
The Charge 5 Wifi’s own review is blunt about its shortcomings. Its cons list a warm, shouty upper mid presentation, boosted bass, slightly rolled off treble, and call it overly expensive outright. Its one clear advantage is the WiFi radio itself, adding AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and Alexa Multi-Room support that the Charge 6 does not offer, plus a dual microphone array for calls.
What the Charge 6 adds beyond sound quality: Auracast party mode, which the WiFi version lacks entirely, a step up to IP68 from IP67, a 7 band app EQ versus 3 band, and 24 hours of battery life against 20.
Buy the JBL Charge 6. It measures better, costs less, and adds Auracast and a finer EQ.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi only if you specifically need WiFi streaming services like AirPlay or Chromecast built into the speaker itself.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 Wifi | JBL Charge 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.95 | $149.95 |
| Ranked | #29 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #12 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (7 band) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) | 2.2 lbs (990 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 97 x 94 mm) | 9” x 3.9” x 3.7” (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music | - |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 45W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | No |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (Manufacturer specified) | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
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