JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs JBL Pulse 5

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi for better sound quality, the JBL Pulse 5 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 5 Wifi ranks #25 of 136 medium speakers at $250. The JBL Pulse 5 ranks #42 at $199.12, $50.88 cheaper.

What the JBL Charge 5 Wifi offers: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version. Set against that: Not stereo. Warm sound.

The case for the JBL Pulse 5: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. The catch: Not quite as deep bass as others.

Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Pulse 5 if the price matters more than sound quality.

If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 5 Wifi is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Pulse 5.

Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi at Amazon ($250) →Buy the JBL Pulse 5 at Amazon ($199.12) →

JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs JBL Pulse 5

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Charge 5 Wifi JBL Pulse 5
Price$250$199.12
Ranked#25 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#42 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz~58Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (3 band)Yes
Party ModeNoYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A)-
StereoNoNo
OmnidirectionalNoPointing up
TWSYes-
Weight2.2 lbs / 1000 g3.3 lbs / 1500 g
WifiYes-
Aux InputNo-
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBCSBC
Bluetooth Version5.35.3
Dimensions8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 97 x 94 mm)4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67IP67
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Streaming ServicesAirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music-
Output Power40W40W
Built in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)-
Max Volume99dB-
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi at Amazon ($250) →Buy the JBL Pulse 5 at Amazon ($199.12) →

More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:

The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Charge 5 Wifi: $250 Amazon

JBL Charge 5 Wifi ranking card

Pros: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version

Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive. No party mode on the wifi version

Full JBL Charge 5 Wifi review and specifications →

AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 97 x 94 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter
EQYes (3 band)
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67
Max Volume99dB
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power40W
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes (USB-A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
Streaming ServicesAirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music
TWSYes
Weight2.2 lbs / 1000 g
WifiYes
Check current price at Amazon ($250) →Search eBay for JBL Charge 5 Wifi →

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

JBL Pulse 5: $199.12 Amazon

JBL Pulse 5 ranking card

Pros: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2.

Cons: Not quite as deep bass as others. Plastic scratches easily.

Full JBL Pulse 5 review and specifications →

AppYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)~58Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm)
Drivers64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter
EQYes
Frequency Response58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67
OmnidirectionalPointing up
Output Power40W
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
Weight3.3 lbs / 1500 g
Check current price at Amazon ($199.12) →Search eBay for JBL Pulse 5 →

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.