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JBL Charge 5 · JBL — official press library; 374622-JBL_CHARGE5_HERO_BLACK_0046_x1-2f03cb-original-1609760327.png; complete supplied canvas retained.

JBL Charge 5
Photo 1 of 58

JBL Charge 5 · JBL — official press library; 374622-JBL_CHARGE5_HERO_BLACK_0046_x1-2f03cb-original-1609760327.png; complete supplied canvas retained.

JBL

Charge 5

Released April 2021

JBL's 2021 larger Bluetooth portable with a built-in power bank, a 20-hour battery and IP67 rating, suited to long days outdoors.

Model history · 3 models, 2016–2021
  1. 2016Charge 3Compare
  2. 2018Charge 4Compare
  3. 2021Charge 5
Type
Portable speaker
Atmos
No
Connects by
Bluetooth
Battery
20 h
Weight
0.96 kg

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree it sounds full and balanced with rich bass, gets very loud, lasts a long time on a charge and is tough and waterproof. The complaints are minor: TechRadar found it slow to recharge, Tom's Guide found the app limited and the extras few, and SoundGuys found it bulky and misses a microphone and aux input.

From techradar.com, tomsguide.com and soundguys.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Sound

Type
Portable speaker
Dolby Atmos
No
Drivers
52 × 90 mm racetrack woofer, 20 mm tweeter and dual passive radiators
Amplifiers
30 W RMS for the woofer, 10 W RMS for the tweeter
Frequency response
60 Hz – 20 kHz; signal-to-noise ratio over 80 dB

Connections

Wi-Fi
No
Bluetooth
Yes
AirPlay
No
Voice assistants
None
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.1; A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6; two phones or tablets can connect and take turns
Ports
USB-C for charging; USB-A out to charge a phone (5 V, 2 A maximum; port type from What Hi-Fi)
Multi-room
PartyBoost stereo pairing, or linking several PartyBoost speakers

Design

Battery life (maker's claim)
Up to 20 hours
Water and dust resistance
IP67
Weight
0.96 kg
Battery life detail
Up to 20 hours; 27 Wh (3.6 V, 7,500 mAh) lithium-ion polymer battery; 4 hours to charge at 5 V / 3 A
Size
223 × 96.5 × 94 mm (W × H × D)
Colours
Black, Blue, Grey, Red, Teal and Squad at launch; JBL Singapore also lists Forest Green and Pink
In the box
Charge 5, USB-C cable, quick start guide, safety sheet, warranty card

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Up to 20 hours of battery, and the USB port can charge a phone
  • Racetrack woofer, separate tweeter and dual passive radiators
  • USB-C cable in the box

Cons

  • Bluetooth only, with no Wi-Fi or AirPlay
  • Four hours to charge
  • Links only with PartyBoost speakers, not the newer Auracast ones

Closest rivals

Model
TypeAtmosConnects byBatteryWeightReleased
Bang & OlufsenBeosound Explore
Portable speakerNoBluetooth27 h0.631 kgMay 2021
SonosRoam
Portable speakerNoWi-Fi and Bluetooth10 h0.43 kgApr 2021
MarshallEmberton II
Portable speakerNoBluetooth30 h0.7 kgMay 2022

Previous model: Charge 4. Newer model: Charge 6.

Sources

  1. jbl.com.sg/bluetooth-portables/CHARGE5-.html
  2. uk.jbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw378ee3bd…
  3. news.harman.com/releases/play-endlessly-with-the-jblR-charge-5-portable-bluetoo…
  4. whathifi.com/reviews/jbl-charge-5

Photo: JBL — official press library; 374622-JBL_CHARGE5_HERO_BLACK_0046_x1-2f03cb-original-1609760327.png; complete supplied canvas retained.

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