Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, if you are buying new. The JBL Charge Essential ranks higher than the LG Xboom XG5 (#91 vs #153 of 182 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.7/5 at $199.95 and is still sold new.
The JBL Charge Essential is the better-sounding choice. A waterproof speaker with long battery life that charges your phone and pairs with a second unit for stereo. The tradeoff: Less clarity than the JBL Flip 4, highs rolled off.
The case for the LG Xboom XG5: A waterproof speaker with a long tested battery, fast USB-C charging, app EQ, lights and an aux input. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge Essential. The tradeoff: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Charge Essential; it is rated higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom XG5.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | LG Xboom XG5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 Discontinued | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #91 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #153 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (LG XBOOM app) |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 3.5” x 3.4” (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | 8.7” x 3.3” x 3.1” (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 20W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, AAC |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge Essential: reviews by Techder Audios, Flossy Carter and The Tech Files.
- LG Xboom XG5: reviews by Luan Tech.
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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