JBL
JBL Charge 5
$179.95Cheaper
Released 2021
Best Portable Speakers · head-to-head
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. JBL Charge 5 is cheaper at $179.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
JBL
$179.95Cheaper
Released 2021
Anker (Soundcore)
$200
Released 2023
The JBL Charge 5 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The JBL Charge 5 is the cheaper at $179.95. The JBL Charge 5 both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $179.95 | $200 |
| Brand | JBL | Anker (Soundcore) |
| Released | 2021 | 2023 |
| Battery hr | 20 | 12 |
| IP rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Drivers | 1×90mm woofer + 1×20mm tweeter + 2 passive radiators | 1 upward-firing full-range (sky) + 2 tweeters + 2 woofers |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Weight (lb) | 2.12 | 4.2 |
| Stereo pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Aux (in) | No | Yes |
| Release | 2021 | 2023 |
Sources — JBL Charge 5: manua.ls (verified 2026-06-15). Anker Soundcore Motion X600: digitaltrends.com (verified 2026-06-15).
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Three whitelisted testers (Tom's Guide, TechRadar, SoundGuys) covered the exact JBL Charge 5 hands-on; only Tom's Guide took instrument measurements. All praise balanced, bass-forward sound, loud output, IP67 ruggedness, and a 20-hour battery with USB-A power-bank charging, while flagging audible distortion once you push past ~60% volume. (3 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Balanced, bass-forward sound that punches above the speaker's size; Long ~20-hour battery life plus USB-A power-bank charging; IP67 dust/waterproof rugged build for outdoor use.
Flagged: Audible distortion at high volume (past ~60% / at max); Dropped the 3.5mm aux jack from the Charge 4; Weak or absent app EQ/sound controls.
No sourced tester review yet.