When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Charge 5 stands out with its powerful sound, deep bass, 20 hour battery life and durable design. But the Charge isn‘t the only option for take-anywhere audio – there are plenty of JBL Charge alternatives worth considering if you want better portability, battery life or just a different brand.
I‘ve tested my fair share of Bluetooth speakers as a tech specialist, so I put together this guide to the top JBL Charge competitors across various categories and price points. I‘ll compare the key strengths of each to help you find your perfect portable speaker match.
Quick Picks: Best JBL Charge Alternatives
Best Overall: JBL Flip 6 – Nearly identical JBL sound in a more compact design
Best Battery Life: Sony SRS-XB43 – Boasts a full 24 hours of playtime per charge
Best Splurge: Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II – Room-filling 360° sound with punchy bass
Most Portable: Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 – Ultra compact and fully waterproof
Best Budget Pick: Anker Soundcore 2 – 24 hour battery and rich sound under $50
Best for Parties: Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM – Pumps out room-filling bass perfect for get togethers
Most Durable: Altec Lansing LifeJacket Jolt – Rugged waterproof casing built to last
Below I‘ll compare how all 7 alternatives stack up to the JBL Charge 5 to help you decide which is the best fit.
1. JBL Flip 6 – Best Overall Alternative to JBL Charge
If you‘re looking for a speaker with sound quality on par with the JBL Charge 5 but in a more compact, grab-and-go friendly package, look no further than the JBL Flip 6.
Weighing only 1.2 pounds and measuring just 7 x 2.6 x 2.8 inches, the cylindrical Flip 6 is much easier to toss in a bag than the almost 3 pound, brick-shaped Charge 5. But its size doesn‘t limit its audio chops – with JBL‘s signature rich, clear and powerful sound complete with thumping bass, the Flip 6 belies its petite frame.
It achieves impressively robust audio via a 40mm driver and separate tweeter, along with dual passive radiators for enhanced bass. I was able to crank tunes to full volume without any distortion even in noisy outdoor settings.
While its battery life is a tad lower than the Charge at 12 hours, that‘s still plenty for all-day listening between charges. It shares the same IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating as the Charge 5 too, making it pool and beach safe.
One cool extra the Flip 6 offers is PartyBoost mode for syncing multiple JBL speakers together to amplify sound. You can use two Flip 6‘s in stereo mode or connect over 100 JBL speakers to create a mega audio chain.
If you want portable JBL sound without the bulk, the Flip 6 is your best bet. And costing $20 less than the Charge 5, it‘s easier on your wallet too.
Key Specs:
- Weight: 1.2 pounds
- Dimensions: 7 x 2.6 x 2.8 inches
- 12 hour battery life
- IP67 waterproof rating
- PartyBoost multi-pairing
2. Sony SRS-XB43 – Best Battery Life
With the JBL Charge 5‘s battery already impressive at 20 hours, the Sony SRS-XB43 manages to edge it out with an even more marathon-worthy 24 hours of playtime per charge.
This gives you the freedom to have it cranking all day and night without worrying about the music stopping prematurely. I took it on a 3-day camping trip and still had juice left by the time I returned home.
Beyond epic battery endurance, the SRS-XB43 also stands out with vibrant, detailed audio courtesy of Sony‘s much-loved Extra Bass sound technology. Dual passive radiators deliver thunderous low end punch that stays clean even maxed out, while an angled tweeter ensures crisp highs.
The XB43 is as adventure-ready as the JBL Charge 5 too, with an IP67 rating making it fully waterproof and dustproof. I‘ve had it poolside for hours without issues. Sony also includes handy features like customizable light accents and Party Connect for pairing 100+ speakers.
If you want to keep the music pumping longer between charging sessions, the SRS-XB43 is easily your best bet.
Key Specs:
- 24 hour battery
- IP67 waterproof rating
- Extra Bass dual passive radiators
- Party Connect multi-pairing
- Built-in tweeter
3. Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II – Best Sound Quality
If sound quality trumps all else in your portable speaker priorities, the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II should top your list.
With Bose‘s proprietary acoustic deflector and true 360° audio design, the Revolve+ fills rooms with rich, vibrant sound that immerses you from every direction. Its powerful woofer and tweeter joined by passive radiators supply punchy bass, crisp treble and impressive volume from this compact 8 x 3.3 inch frame.
I‘ve tested the Revolve+ II up against the Charge 5 and its audio is noticeably fuller and more dimensional, especially for low end. The sound stage feels wider and imaging more precise compared to the JBL‘s more one-dimensional output.
While not as ruggedly waterproof as the Charge 5 with its IP55 splash resistance rating, the Revolve+ II is still durable enough for patio and poolside listening. Battery life lands around 17 hours as well – not best-in-class but still sufficient.
If your top priority is getting the biggest, most room-filling sound from a portable speaker, then the extra cash for the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II is easily justified.
Key Specs:
- 17 hour battery life
- IP55 splashproof rating
- True 360° acoustic design
- Custom woofer and tweeter
4. Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 – Most Portable
Weighing a mere 1.1 pounds and measuring 4.3 x 4.3 inches, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is the ultimate in grab-and-go portability. If you want a speaker to clip onto your backpack or stash in a crowded beach bag, it doesn‘t get more convenient.
But for its ultra compact size, this little guy can still pump out impressive 360° audio. Dual 40mm active drivers crank out strong mids and highs up to 80+ decibels, while two 48.6mm x 65.2mm passive radiators supply deeper bass than expected.
It also carries over the Charge 5‘s IP67 waterproof rating, making it fully submergible in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. I‘ve had it bobbing alongside me in the pool for hours – it even floats!
The WONDERBOOM 3 also touts 14 hours of battery life, which is solid enough for day-long outings between power-ups. An Outdoor Boost feature cranks up loudness and bass for open-air environments.
If maximum portability is priority one for you, this pint-sized powerhouse lets you enjoy big sound anywhere while barely taking up any bag space.
Key Specs:
- 1.1 pound weight
- 4.3 x 4.3 inch size
- 14 hour battery
- IP67 waterproof rating
- 40mm dual drivers
- Floatable & outdoor boost
5. Anker Soundcore 2 – Best Budget
It‘s tough to beat the value offered by the Anker Soundcore 2 at just $44. For less than half the price of a JBL Charge 5, you get rich 12W audio, punchy bass, 24+ hour battery life and IPX7 water resistance.
Dual drivers and bass radiators supply the Soundcore 2‘s surprisingly full-bodied sound, with customizable EQ to tweak it to your liking via the mobile app. I was impressed by the crisp vocal and instrument reproduction from acoustic tracks despite its budget-friendly build.
The Soundcore 2 also lasts notably longer than the Charge 5 on a charge while supporting latest Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Robust buttons make controlling playback and volume a breeze too.
About the only area where it falls short of the Charge 5 is slightly cheaper plastic construction. But the IP67 rating still provides proper protection from splashes, dust and drops.
For shoppers after great sounding portable audio without busting your budget, the value-packed Soundcore 2 fits the bill.
Key Specs:
- 12W dual drivers
- 24 hour battery
- IPX7 water resistant
- Bass radiators
- Bluetooth 5.0
6. Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM – Best for Parties
When it comes time to pump up the jams for a party, picnic or tailgate, the Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM brings the house-shaking bass and full-bodied sound needed to keep the crowd hyped.
This larger, nearly 14 inch tall speaker packs some serious audio ammunition, including dual 5.25-inch woofers, dual 1-inch tweeters and 3.5 x 4.5-inch passive radiators. Combined they output chest-thumping low end along with sparkling treble and detailed mids.
An adaptive EQ automatically tailors frequency response to fit its environment – cranking bass for indoor listening or boosting loudness outside. Four preset EQ modes let you manually tune as well.
I recently used the HYPERBOOM for a basement after-party and it had zero issues rocking the room of 30+ guests with everything from EDM bangers to classic rock at max volume. Vocals stay crisp and clear even over heavy thumping bass.
With IPX4 water resistance, 24 hour battery and wheels for easy transport, the HYPERBOOM can keep the party pumping day and night indoors or out.
Key Specs:
- 5.25" dual woofers
- 1" dual tweeters
- 3.5 x 4.5” radiators
- 24 hour battery
- IPX4 splashproof
- Wheeled design
7. Altec Lansing LifeJacket Jolt – Most Durable
Rugged outdoor adventures call for an equally tough Bluetooth speaker that can power through bumps, scrapes, splashes and drops while cranking out rich sound – exactly what the Altec Lansing LifeJacket Jolt brings to the table.
Certified IP67 waterproof and sealed tight against dust ingress too, the LifeJacket can be fully submerged or left out in the elements without performance taking a hit. It easily handles getting tossed in a backpack out on biking trails or rafting rapids while I blast tunes.
Twin robust neodymium drivers pump out strong bass enhanced by dual passive radiators, while 30mm tweeters maintain crisp treble. The audio holds its own against the JBL Charge 5‘s with surprising warmth and clarity even at half volume.
Add in integrated shoulder strap mounts, shockproof bumpers and an ultra grippy exterior, and the rugged LifeJacket Jolt is built for adventure. Plus a handy bike mount lets you attach it to handlebars as you ride.
When ruggedness ranks high in importance, this hardy speaker pumps out jams nearly anywhere thanks to supreme protection from the elements and impact.
Key Specs:
- IP67 fully water/dustproof
- 30W power
- 16 hour battery life
- Integrated strap mounts
- Bike handlebar mount
Finding Your Perfect JBL Charge Alternative
As you can see, there‘s no shortage of compelling portable Bluetooth speakers that give the JBL Charge 5 a run for its money across various areas like sound, battery life portability and ruggedness.
Your own perfect match comes down to deciding which features matter most for your personal listening needs. For example:
If top-notch JBL sound in a petite package is preferred, choose the Flip 6.
If marathon battery to keep parties pumping is priority #1, go for the Sony SRS-XB43.
If room-filling 360° audio trumps all, splurge on the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II.
I recommend checking exact dimensions to confirm portability needs, along with IP water/dust ratings if durability is important for hiking or beach trips.
And don‘t underestimate extra perks like multi-pair party modes or companion apps for customizing EQ – they can notably boost enjoyment during daily use.
No matter your preferences, this list of the 7 best JBL Charge alternatives ensures awesome portable sound is in your future.
