Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 for better sound quality, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #26 of 136 medium speakers at $134.95. The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 ranks #84 at $59.99, $74.96 cheaper.
What the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 offers: A small, IP67-rated design that floats and charges over USB-C. Watch for: Its bass does not reach as deep as the top-ranked speakers and sounds a little thuddy; beyond USB-C, it is not much of an upgrade over the Wonderboom 3.
What the JBL Charge 5 offers: The Charge 5 adds deeper output, a roughly 20-hour battery, and phone charging, but it is larger, warmer sounding, and more expensive.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the JBL Charge 5 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 | JBL Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $134.95 |
| Ranked | #84 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #26 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | - | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 125ms |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Stereo | - | No |
| Weight | - | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
| IP Rating | - | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | - | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | - | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| App | - | Yes |
| EQ | - | Yes (3 band) |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Aux Input | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | AAC, SBC |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 40W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Flip 6 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
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The Two Speakers In Full
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4: $59.99 Amazon
Pros: Small size.
Cons: Bass isn’t as deep as the top-ranked speakers and is a little thuddy. Not much improvement over the previous Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 besides the USB-C charging port.
Full Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review and specifications →
| App | |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | |
| Battery Life | |
| Bluetooth Latency | |
| Bluetooth Version | |
| Built in Microphone | |
| Digital Aux Input | |
| Dimensions | |
| Drivers | |
| EQ | |
| IP Rating | |
| Max Volume | |
| Party Mode | |
| Power Bank | |
| Power Input | |
| Stereo | |
| TWS | |
| Weight |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs Sony ULT Field 1
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs Marshall Emberton III
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs Klipsch Nashville
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- See all 19 comparisons
JBL Charge 5: $134.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. ~20 hour battery life.
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.
Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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