These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The JBL Charge 6 ranks #12 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality at $149.95; the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker ranks #14 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $279.
The JBL Charge 6 is the battery-powered, tougher choice. A waterproof medium speaker with a long battery and a power bank output, with more balanced sound than older Charge models. Its battery is rated for 24 hours, while the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker needs an outlet. It is rated IP68, while the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker has no water resistance. The tradeoff: Still some boosted bass by default.
The case for the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker: A compact smart speaker with an up firing driver for taller sound, built in Alexa, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and an aux input. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 6 lacks. The catch: RTINGS lists sub-par directivity as its main weakness, and reviewers agree a single unit sounds narrow from side to side, so it works best as a stereo pair.
Buy the JBL Charge 6 at $149.95 for a medium speaker, or the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker at $279 for a powered desktop speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings and Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM 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 6 | Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.95 | $279.00 each |
| Ranked | #12 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #14 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bose) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (Bass/Mid/Treble + up-firing driver level) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | None |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Bose app multi-room, AirPlay 2, Google Cast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (stereo pairing via Bose app) |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (990 g) | 3.7 lbs (1.68 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 9” x 3.9” x 3.7” (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) | 7.2” x 4.8” x 6.6” (184 x 121 x 167 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 3in woofer, 1in tweeter, 1.5in up-firing mid/high driver |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC power cord |
| Amplifier Power | 45W | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes (far-field, mic mute button) |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Inputs | - | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux |
| XLR Input | - | No |
| RCA Input | - | No |
| TRS Input | - | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect |
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