JBL Charge 5 Review: Ultimate Portable Speaker

The JBL Charge 5 is an incredible portable speaker that combines really amazing sound quality with rugged durability. Whether you’re at the beach, by the pool, or on a hike, this speaker is going to keep your music playing and your mind entertained. With a built-in power bank, 20 hours of playtime, and an IP67 waterproof rating, the JBL Charge 5 stands out as a versatile and reliable choice for music enthusiasts on the go.

I recently got my hands on the JBL Charge 5, and it’s really exceeded my expectations when it comes to a speaker. I wanted to share all I’ve learned about it. The sound quality is amazingly clear, with deep, punchy bass that brings my favorite tracks to life. Its waterproof feature has been especially useful during my poolside parties. Plus, the built-in power bank has saved my phone from dying multiple times, making it an indispensable part of my outdoor adventures.

Design and Build Quality

The JBL Charge 5 boasts a rugged and durable design, perfect for outdoor adventures. With its IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, this speaker can withstand the elements, making it an excellent choice for beach trips, pool parties, and more. The speaker’s durable build means you’ll be able to enjoy it for years, while the sleek black finish adds a touch of elegance to its ruggedness.

Sound Quality

One of the standout features of the JBL Charge 5 is its amazing sound quality. The speaker is equipped with an optimized long-excursion driver, a separate tweeter, and dual JBL bass radiators, delivering bold and immersive JBL Pro Sound. Whether you’re listening to bass-heavy tracks or high-pitched vocals, the sound remains clear and well-balanced across all frequencies.

Battery Life and Power Bank

Portability and Case

Ease of Use

Using the JBL Charge 5 is straightforward and user-friendly. The speaker has intuitive controls, including volume buttons, a Bluetooth pairing button, and a PartyBoost button for connecting multiple JBL speakers. The speaker also features a progress bar to indicate battery level, making it easy to monitor your power usage.

PartyBoost Feature

The PartyBoost feature on the JBL Charge 5 allows you to connect multiple JBL speakers for a stereo sound experience. This feature is perfect for larger gatherings or parties, where you need a more immersive and powerful audio setup. The ability to link multiple speakers enhances the versatility and appeal of the Charge 5.

Durability

Durability is a significant advantage of the JBL Charge 5. Its rugged construction and waterproof design ensure it can handle rough usage and exposure to water without any issues. Whether you’re at the beach, hiking, or just enjoying a day by the pool, you can rely on the Charge 5 to deliver consistent performance.

Bluetooth Connectivity

The JBL Charge 5 offers reliable Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to pair it with any Bluetooth-enabled device easily. The connection remains stable even at considerable distances, ensuring uninterrupted music playback. This feature is particularly useful for outdoor activities where you might move around frequently.

Customer Feedback

Customer reviews are really excited about the JBL Charge 5’s excellent sound quality, long battery life, and durable build. All of the happy reviews just add to the reason you should consider this speaker. Customers really love the speaker’s ability to deliver powerful bass and clear sound, even at high volumes. The waterproof feature and built-in power bank are also regularly mentioned, making it a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts.

One happy customer writes, “This is the second JBL speaker we’ve purchased for our home – the first one is the first generation and has worked so well – but recently, my husband stole it to take to our pole barn!! So, I had to buy a new one for the house lol. As I had recently changed the colors in my kitchen to blue, I was thrilled to find it in color – and when it came, absolutely loved the slight changes made in this new generation. It has amazing sound, connects easily and the battery seems to go on forever! In fact, I bought this I think 5 weeks ago, we use it quite a bit, and I think we’ve only charged it once! Oh, and the case is great for travel!!”

Another writes, “I went back and forth and looked at a lot of reviews before choosing this product. I have had JBL products before and know they make good quality products. I wanted a portable speaker that had more sound than what I had. Upon getting this speaker it was boxed nicely and came packaged very well. The literature that was included was nicely printed and the quick start instructions made it easy to get started. The speaker is easy to pair with any bluetooth device and use once you get it paired. I love the fact that you pretty much turn the speaker on and it automatically pairs to your device. This little speaker is well made and is waterproof so that you don’t have to worry about your investment getting ruined if you get it wet. This speaker produces a lot of sound and surprisingly a lot of bass for it’s size, I ended up buying two of these for my backyard and they pair up easily for stereo sound. Just one of these would fill up my backyard with sound, but with both there is plenty of sound to go around and they sound great. I highly recommend this product and will be buying more JBL products in the future. There are also plenty of color choices if you are looking for a product to fit your style.”

Value for Money

At $179.95, the JBL Charge 5 offers amazing value for money. It combines high-quality sound, long battery life, and durable build in one package. The additional features like the power bank and PartyBoost further enhance its appeal, making it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking for a reliable and versatile portable speaker.

Pros:

• Excellent sound quality with deep bass
• Waterproof and dustproof (IP67 rating)
• Long battery life (up to 20 hours)

Cons:

• Heavier than some other portable speakers
• Does not connect with older JBL speakers
• Battery life may be slightly less than advertised

Conclusion

The JBL Charge 5 is a powerhouse of a portable speaker. The combo of durability, sound quality, and extra features like the built-in power bank make it a fantastic, must-have investment. If you’re looking for a reliable speaker that can withstand the elements and deliver excellent audio performance, the JBL Charge 5 is definitely worth checking out!

Questions & Answers:

Question: Is the JBL Charge 5 really waterproof?

Answer: Yes, the JBL Charge 5 has an IP67 rating, making it waterproof and dustproof. It can be submerged in water up to 3 feet for 30 minutes.

Question: Can the JBL Charge 5 be used as a power bank?

Answer: Yes, the JBL Charge 5 comes with a built-in power bank that allows you to charge your devices while using the speaker.

Question: How long does the battery last on a full charge?

Answer: The JBL Charge 5 offers up to 20 hours of playtime on a full charge, although actual battery life may vary depending on usage.