Short answer: the Sonos Play for stereo imaging, the JBL Charge 6 for a flatter response. The Charge 6 is more neutral than the Charge 5 with a flatter frequency response through the mids and treble, but it still boosts bass by default, recesses the mids and turns bright above 2kHz for a quite V shaped response. The Sonos Play spreads wide stereo off-axis, though its bass distorts on bass-heavy tracks.
Buy the JBL Charge 6. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonos Play and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Play | JBL Charge 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $119.95 |
| Ranked | #60 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #12 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) | - |
| Dimensions | 7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) | 9” x 3.9” x 3.7” (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No | Yes (7 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) | 2.2 lbs (990 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Frequency Response | - | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 45W |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Charge 6 compares with other leading options:
- EarFun Uboom L vs JBL Charge 6
- JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Motion+
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge 6
- JBL Charge 6 vs Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Sonos Play: $299.00 Amazon $299.00 Sonos $299.00 eBay
Pros: Genuinely wide, clean stereo dispersion off-axis thanks to the two angled tweeters, holding up from the side far better than most portables. Loudness processing keeps it sounding full-bodied at low volume. 24-hour user-replaceable battery with an included wireless charging base, IP67 waterproof and dustproof, and full Sonos WiFi multi-room with AirPlay 2 on top of Bluetooth 5.3.
Cons: Bass distorts noticeably on bass-heavy tracks at default settings, and the distortion persists even after enabling Trueplay tuning and manually pulling bass back in the app. Sounds boxy and short on clarity next to cheaper competitors.
Full Sonos Play review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2026 (7 months ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) |
| Drivers | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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JBL Charge 6: $119.95 Amazon $149.95 B&H Photo Video $149.95 Woot $119.95 Lowest eBay
Older models: the JBL Charge 5 (ranked lower, rated 4/5), the JBL Charge 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5), the JBL Charge 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Seems more neutral than the JBL Charge 5. Flatter frequency response through the mids and treble as the JBL 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. IP68 protection, a 7-band app EQ, Auracast, USB-C charging and a power bank output. With EQ it beat the Marshall Stockwell III in Alan Ross’s live A/B. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| Released | Mar 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 45W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| 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
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Xiaomi Sound Party - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 6 - good or bad?
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - better with EQ?
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Plus vs JBL Charge 6 - fight!
- Oluv Patreon: An evening with the “best portable speakers”?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 6 or the JBL Charge 5? don’t go home till you watch this! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross: JBL Charge 6 vs Xiaomi Sound Party – Honest No-BS Comparison
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Stockwell 3 Unboxing (live stream)
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge 6 🎶👌Unboxing 📦vs Jbl Charge 5 Short Test Audio i Hz. More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge Essential 3 SE vs Charge 6 Opinion in Subtitles
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot P12 Vs Jbl Charge 6 full sound comparison More from YARNZO Tech →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Review - Worth Upgrading Even If You Have The JBL Charge 5 More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Vs Sony ULT Field 3 - Honestly, This One Is Super Tough
- The Tech Files: Uma CHARGE 6 pela METADE do PREÇO! - Zealot S85 (Unboxing/Review)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons