The New JBL Charge 5: Pros, Cons, and Price
By Robert Jones · 2024-02-06
Robert Jones here, giving you the lowdown on the JBL Charge 5. Been testing this portable speaker for months, so you'll get the real story on its sound, battery, and how tough it actually is.
Right then, let's talk about the JBL Charge 5, shall we? You see these everywhere these days, don't you? On building sites, down at the park, even heard one blaring out some awful pop down at the local pub garden last week. JBL’s Charge series has always been a solid shout for a portable speaker – good sound, decent battery, built like a brick. They keep tweaking them, trying to make 'em better, louder, tougher. The Charge 5 is the latest one off the production line, promising a bit more oomph and some new tricks. Now, does it actually deliver? That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? I’ve had one knocking about the workshop for a good few months now, put it through its paces properly. Taken it camping, had it next to the bench whilst I’m messing with crossovers, even dropped it in a bucket of water (purely for scientific purposes, you understand). This isn't some quick-flick review; it’s an honest appraisal from someone who's spent twenty years listening to kit. **Quick Verdict: A solid, dependable portable speaker that sounds bigger than it looks and takes a beating.** ### Who it's for: * Anyone needing a rugged, go-anywhere speaker that can take a splash. * Those who value long battery life and the ability to charge their phone on the go. * People who want a punchy, enjoyable sound for background music or smaller gatherings. * Students, campers, tradespeople, or anyone regularly outdoors. * If you're already in the JBL ecosystem and want to link up multiple speakers. ### Who should skip it: * True audiophiles demanding pristine clarity and nuanced sound staging (you’re looking at something much bigger and more expensive). * Anyone needing something genuinely tiny to slip into a jacket pocket. * If you primarily listen to classical or very intricate jazz, as the bass can be a bit forward. * Those on a super tight budget – there are cheaper options, but often with compromises. * If you already own a Charge 4 and aren't bothered about slightly better sound or dustproofing.  *The New JBL Charge 5: Pros, Cons, and Price — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## First Impressions: Built Like a Tank, Almost JBL’s always been about making kit that can take a knock, and the Charge 5 is no different. Pick it up and it feels proper solid, got a good bit of weight to it. The usual cylindrical shape is there, no surprises, wrapped in that familiar tough fabric grille. You’ve got the rubberised end caps, bit more prominent this time, and a big old JBL logo slapped on the front. Looks like a JBL, feels like a JBL. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, eh? ### Durability and Waterproofing: Mud, Sweat, and Beers This is where they've really upped their game, mind. It’s now IP67 rated. What's that mean in plain English? It's waterproof *and* dustproof. I've seen plenty of speakers claim to be waterproof, only to pack up after a bit of rain. This one? You can dunk it in a metre of water for half an hour, and it'll still be belting out tunes. And the dustproofing is a big deal if you're taking it on a building site, to the beach, or just generally kicking about in the garden. I've had mine coated in saw dust, sand, even a bit of mud from a camping trip, and it just wipes clean. No bother. That sort of peace of mind is invaluable, honestly. Especially if you're a bit clumsy like me after a few pints. ### Ergonomics and Portability: Not Exactly Pocket-Sized, But No Elephant Either It’s not tiny, let's be clear. It’s about the size of a decent-sized water bottle, maybe a bit thicker. It slips into a rucksack quite nicely, or even one of those bigger cup holders you get in some cars these days. It’s a touch heavier than the Charge 4, which, to my mind, is a good thing. Makes it feel more substantial, less likely to rattle itself off a shelf when the bass kicks in. Those little rubber feet on the bottom do a good job of keeping it planted, too. No vibrating itself across the patio table, which is a blessing. ## Sound Performance: More Than Just Noise Right, the crunch point. How does it *sound*? JBL’s changed things up a bit inside. You've got a separate tweeter now – a proper 20mm one – alongside a beefier racetrack-shaped driver and those twin passive radiators on the ends. That's a step up from the older models, which often relied on just a full-range driver. More dedicated drivers usually means better sound separation and detail. And in this case, it largely rings true. ### Low End: Punchy, But Not Always Precise The bass is definitely there. You feel it. Those passive radiators really shift some air, giving you a proper thump for its size. For electronic music, pop, or anything with a driving beat, it