# JBL Charge 5 vs Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the JBL Charge 5 (JBL) and Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) (Bose) among portable speakers. Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is the cheaper of the two at $159.

## Side by side

| Spec | JBL Charge 5 | Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $179.95 | $159 |
| Brand | JBL | Bose |
| Released | 2021 | 2024 |
| Battery hr | 20 | 12 |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Drivers | 1×90mm woofer + 1×20mm tweeter + 2 passive radiators | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Weight (lb) | 2.12 | 1.291 |
| Stereo pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Aux (in) | No | No |

## Key differences

- Battery hr: JBL Charge 5 20 vs Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) 12
- Bluetooth: JBL Charge 5 5.1 vs Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) 5.3
- Weight (lb): JBL Charge 5 2.12 vs Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) 1.291

## 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.)

**Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)** — Two whitelisted testers (SoundGuys, TechRadar) reviewed this exact model and both did hands-on testing. Both praise clean, balanced, detailed sound and the rugged IP67 build, but flag minimal upgrades over the 1st Gen, limited EQ options (only four presets), and unremarkable battery life. SoundGuys' standardized 80dB/1m test measured just 7 hours 3 minutes against Bose's 12-hour claim. (2 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- JBL Charge 5: https://www.manua.ls/jbl/charge-5/manual/page/20 (manua.ls, verified 2026-06-15)
- Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen): https://www.bose.com/p/speakers/bose-soundlink-flex-portable-speaker-2nd-gen/SLFLXII-SPEAKERWIRELESS.html (bose.com, verified 2026-06-15)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/portable-speakers/jbl-charge-5-vs-bose-soundlink-flex-2/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, JBL Charge 5 ($179.95) vs Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) ($159) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/portable-speakers/jbl-charge-5-vs-bose-soundlink-flex-2/
License: CC BY 4.0.