Short answer: the JBL Charge 6 ranks #11 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $199.95; the JBL Pulse 5 ranks #42 at $199.12. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
On the JBL Charge 6 side: Seems more neutral than the Charge 5. Flatter frequency response through the mids and treble as the Charge 5 was quite rolled off up high. The tradeoff: Still some boosted bass by default. Mids are recessed. Bright above 2khz.
What the JBL Pulse 5 offers: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. Set against that: Not quite as deep bass as others. Plastic scratches easily.
Buy the JBL Charge 6 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 6 is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Pulse 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 6 | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $199.12 |
| Ranked | #11 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 102dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 9" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Output Power | 45W | 40W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | - |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 21, 2026 at 5:30 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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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 6: $199.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: Seems more neutral than the Charge 5. Flatter frequency response through the mids and treble as the Charge 5 was quite rolled off up high. Use this EQ from Joy/Oluv and turn down the lowest bass slider for the best sound quality. Oluv has even more paid EQs specifically for the GG and TL models indoors and outdoors here
Cons: Still some boosted bass by default. Mids are recessed. Bright above 2khz. Quite a V shaped frequency response.
Full JBL Charge 6 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 9" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 102dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 45W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs SoundCore Boom 2 - David vs Goliath
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - basstest (bigger=better?)
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6, Xtreme 4 & Earfun UBoom X - taking sound to the top
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 6 or the JBL Charge 5? don’t go home till you watch this! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown!
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - better with EQ?
- Oluv Patreon: An evening with the “best portable speakers”?
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Plus vs JBL Charge 6 - fight!
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge 6 🎶👌Unboxing 📦vs Jbl Charge 5 Short Test Audio i Hz. More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Review - Worth Upgrading Even If You Have The JBL Charge 5 More from GYMCADDY →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 6 - good or bad?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 6 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Pulse 5: $199.12 Amazon eBay
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Motion 100
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- JBL Pulse 5 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- See all 23 comparisons