The JBL Charge 5 is a great choice if you’re after a rugged Bluetooth speaker capable of outputting serious sound both in and outdoors

Impactful sound; Solid battery life; Now dustproof as well as waterproof;

No AUX-in or microphone; Lacks EQ options;

If you don't need fancy smart features then the JBL Charge 5 is a great sounding and long-lasting Bluetooth speaker that can also charge your phone.

Great sound; Durable design; Acts as power bank; Long battery life;

Basic app;

For those who want a loud, durable speaker to use on days out at the park or beach, the JBL Charge 5 is an excellent choice. The audio is powerful and accurate, and it has improved dust resistance as well as a waterproof design. What’s not to love!

Loud, powerful sound, 20-hour battery life, Can be used to charge your phone

No EQ settings in the app, You can’t use PartyBoost with Connect+ speakers, No 3.5mm audio port

JBL’s Charge 5 hails from a victorious and dominant product line, and the winning trend does not stop here

Clearer and more detailed sound, Wider soundstage, Updated dustproofing

Nothing at this level

The JBL Charge 5 is an iteration on a winning formula. The Charge series of speakers is known for balanced sound, high volume, and long battery life, and that hasn’t changed in this fifth generation.

Balanced sound quality, Gets extremely loud, Long battery life

Long charge time, Distortion at high volume, No more aux jack

JBL's portable Charge 5 speaker delivers surprisingly powerful Bluetooth audio from a compact, waterproof frame, making it the ideal travel companion for going just about anywhere.

Powerful, bass-forward, bright sound signature, Gets loud for its relatively compact size, Fully waterproof design, USB-A port for charging mobile devices

App lacks EQ, No speakerphone

JBL launched a bunch of products at CES this year, but few looked to be as promising as the Charge 5. Part rugged Bluetooth speaker, part power bank, the newest entry in the Charge series has much to offer, but it’s a lot more spendy than your average Bluetooth speaker.

Battery life Easily lasts two weeks with daily use., Design and materials Looks and feels like a football, in the best way possible., Sound From music to podcasts, it's a fantastic listening experience., Portability It's hefty but not too large to be thrown into a backpack for a day trip.

No wired input The Charge 5 loses its 3.5mm jack from the last-gen model., PartyBoost JBL's third revision of its stereo sync feature means the Charge 4 and Charge 5 speakers are incompatible., Connection issues Some cutouts that required restarting the speaker to fix.

This summer is going to be full of trips to the beach and backyard parties, and you'll need just the right speaker to DJ these events. The JBL Charge 5 is the newest release in its waterproof speaker product line, and it does a fantastic job of producing clear and loud sound.

Sound quality, IP67 rating, Bluetooth multipoint, Can charge your mobile devices

No microphone, Bulky, No wired listening

If you’re looking for a portable Bluetooth party speaker that will last all day and then some, is waterproof, has big sound, and isn’t unwieldy to carry around, the JBL Charge 5 may be the one for you.

Compact, water/dustproof design, Big sound, Easy to use, Can pair with other JBL speakers for bigger sound, All day battery life, Power bank feature

A bit on the pricey side, Software app is pretty basic, No equalizer option in software

With a new look, a little more ruggedness and improved sound, the JBL Charge 5 is one of the best Bluetooth speakers — just not one of the cheapest. The JBL Charge 5 is a very good Bluetooth speaker.

Full vocals, Rich bass, Good battery life

Limited app, Few extras