# JBL Charge 5 vs Beats Pill (2024): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the JBL Charge 5 (JBL) and Beats Pill (2024) (Beats (Apple)) among portable speakers. Beats Pill (2024) is the cheaper of the two at $150.

## Side by side

| Spec | JBL Charge 5 | Beats Pill (2024) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $179.95 | $150 |
| Brand | JBL | Beats (Apple) |
| Released | 2021 | 2024 |
| Battery hr | 20 | 24 |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Drivers | 1×90mm woofer + 1×20mm tweeter + 2 passive radiators | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Weight (lb) | 2.12 | 1.5 |
| Stereo pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Aux (in) | No | No |

## Key differences

- Battery hr: JBL Charge 5 20 vs Beats Pill (2024) 24
- Bluetooth: JBL Charge 5 5.1 vs Beats Pill (2024) 5.3
- Weight (lb): JBL Charge 5 2.12 vs Beats Pill (2024) 1.5

## What reviewers say

**JBL Charge 5** — 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.)

## Sources

- JBL Charge 5: https://www.manua.ls/jbl/charge-5/manual/page/20 (manua.ls, verified 2026-06-15)
- Beats Pill (2024): https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/best-bluetooth-speakers/ (digitaltrends.com, verified 2026-06-15)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/portable-speakers/jbl-charge-5-vs-beats-pill-2024/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, JBL Charge 5 ($179.95) vs Beats Pill (2024) ($150) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/portable-speakers/jbl-charge-5-vs-beats-pill-2024/
License: CC BY 4.0.