Short answer: the JBL Charge 6 for better sound quality, the LG Xboom XG5 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 6 ranks #11 of 136 medium speakers at $199.95. The LG Xboom XG5 ranks #115 at $99, $100.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 6 gets right: 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 catch: Still some boosted bass by default. Mids are recessed. Bright above 2khz.
On the LG Xboom XG5 side: IP67 rated. 18 hour battery life (~17 hrs confirmed in testing) with fast USB-C charging. Watch for: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble. Not very good sounding.
Buy the JBL Charge 6 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the LG Xboom XG5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the LG Xboom XG5. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 6 | LG Xboom XG5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #11 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #115 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 102dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 9" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 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 | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Output Power | 45W | 20W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
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- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
- JBL Charge 6 vs EFM Toledo
- LG Xboom XG5 vs Harman Kardon Esquire 2
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
LG Xboom XG5: $99.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated. 18 hour battery life (~17 hrs confirmed in testing) with fast USB-C charging. Wireless Party Link connects up to 10 speakers.
Cons: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble. Not very good sounding
Full LG Xboom XG5 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.3" x 3.1" (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons