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 LG Xboom XG5 ranks #153, rated 2.4/5, at $99, $40.95 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Charge 5 Wifi is the better-sounding choice. A rugged waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound plus Wi-Fi streaming over AirPlay and Chromecast, long battery life and a phone charging port. Watch for: Shouty upper mids.
The LG Xboom XG5 is the lighter pick. A waterproof speaker with a long tested battery, fast USB-C charging, app EQ, lights and an aux input. At 1.5 lbs (680 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge 5 Wifi at 2.2 lbs (1 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 Wifi lacks. It links with other speakers (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers), which the JBL Charge 5 Wifi cannot. The tradeoff: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $40.95 saving on the LG Xboom XG5 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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 | LG Xboom XG5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.95 | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #29 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #153 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (LG XBOOM app) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 97 x 94 mm) | 8.7” x 3.3” x 3.1” (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x 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 | 20W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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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