Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi, if you are buying new. The Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 ranks higher than it (#5 vs #29 of 175 medium speakers, 4.4/5 vs 4.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Charge 5 Wifi is still sold new at $139.95.
The Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 is the better-sounding, lighter choice. A very neutral good sounding inexpensive small speaker with quite deep bass for the size. At 1.3 lbs (590 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge 5 Wifi at 2.2 lbs (1 kg). It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 5 Wifi. Watch for: Slight DSP tuning issue which makes bass get lighter at times at very low volumes, examples in oluv’s video.
The JBL Charge 5 Wifi is the longer-running pick. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 lacks. The catch: Shouty upper mids.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi, since the Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 | JBL Charge 5 Wifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 Discontinued | $139.95 |
| Ranked | #5 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes (dual microphones) |
| EQ | Yes (9 band) | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 150ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 99dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (590 g) | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8” x 2.8” x 2.7” (204 x 72 x 69 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 97 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.75” (44mm) x 2 active drivers and one passive radiator | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 20W (10W × 2) | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021:
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Motion+
- Denon Envaya DSB-250BT vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
- Minirig 4 vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs B&O Beosound A1
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021: $60 Discontinued eBay
Older model: the Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 (ranked lower, rated 4.2/5). See every Soundcore Boost generation.
Pros: A very neutral good sounding inexpensive small speaker with quite deep bass for the size. This upgraded version has a usb-c port while the old one has micro usb. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Slight DSP tuning issue which makes bass get lighter at times at very low volumes, examples in oluv’s video. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W (10W × 2) |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 150ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8” x 2.8” x 2.7” (204 x 72 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.75” (44mm) x 2 active drivers and one passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes (9 band) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (590 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Earfun UBoom L Review Speaker tuned by a Geek vs Soundcore Motion Plus $100 dollar best portable?
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- Speakertech: Anker soundcore Boost (Upgraded) vs minirig mini in stereo /2.0 (and changing the equalizer)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Motion+
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Minirig 4
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs B&O Beosound A1
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
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- See all 77 comparisons
JBL Charge 5 Wifi: $139.95 Amazon $139.95 eBay
Same family: the JBL Charge 5 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 4/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive. No party mode on the wifi version
Full JBL Charge 5 Wifi review and specifications →
| Released | May 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 97 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Bogasing M4
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