JBL
JBL Charge 5
$179.95
Released 2021
Best Portable Speakers · head-to-head
JBL Charge 5 vs Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is cheaper at $159. Every spec and price links to its source.
Bose
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
$159Cheaper
Released 2024
Which is better: the JBL Charge 5 or Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?
The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is the cheaper at $159. The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| 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 |
| Release | 2021 | 2024 |
Sources — JBL Charge 5: manua.ls (verified 2026-06-15). Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen): bose.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the JBL Charge 5 and Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
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, 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.
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, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Clean, balanced, detailed sound with good instrument separation for its size; Rugged, durable IP67 dustproof/waterproof build for outdoor use; Attractive, portable design with strap/loop attachment.
Flagged: Minimal upgrades over the 1st Gen (near-identical hardware and sound profile); Limited EQ options in the app (only four presets); Underwhelming battery life; only ~12h claimed, and SoundGuys measured 7h 3min at 80dB.