JBL Charge 6 vs Charge 5: 8 Reasons You Need To Upgrade!

Thinking of upgrading to the JBL Charge 6? Here’s what’s new!

FAQS & Tutorials - Updated 19th March 2025

JBL Charge 6 vs Charge 5: 8 Reasons You Need To Upgrade!

Written By

Elliott Peeters-Vanstone

Charge 6 vs. Charge 5: What's new and should you upgrade?

For years, the JBL Charge series has been a top pick for portable Bluetooth speakers, and the award-winning Charge 5 was no exception, boasting signature sound, a rugged design, and impressive battery life.

Now, the Charge 6 has arrived, promising to build on this winning formula with a fresh set of upgrades. These enhancements, however, come at a slightly increased cost of £170 compared to the Charge 5's RRP of £160. So what do you actually gain for the extra money? Let’s find out.

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1. Even Better Durability

The Charge 5 was already built to handle the elements with its IP67 rating, making it dustproof and waterproof. But JBL decided to take things a step further with the Charge 6, upgrading it to an IP68 rating.

This means it is even more resistant to dust and can survive deeper water submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Realistically, most people won’t be dunking their speaker underwater on purpose, but knowing it can handle unexpected splashes, poolside accidents, or just that unpredictable British weather is reassuring and makes the Charge 6 an even better choice.

Beyond being weatherproof, JBL has also made some subtle yet smart design refinements to enhance stability and durability. The silicone strips on the base are gone, replaced with a wider, flatter base design.

Some users found that the old silicone strips had a tendency to peel off over time, so this change not only improves stability but also addresses a common durability complaint. The rubber bumpers on the passive radiators have also been beefed up, offering extra protection as well.

2. Extended Battery Life

Battery life can make or break a portable speaker, and JBL clearly knows this. While the Charge 5 delivered a respectable 20 hours of playtime, the Charge 6 stretches that to an impressive 28 hours on a single charge.

The new Playtime Boost mode refines the Charge 6’s sound profile to further extend its battery life, so if you're running low on power, you can extend the battery without compromising your listening experience.

3. Bigger Sound & Better Bass Performance

Despite the Charge 5 sounding great, JBL has made some tweaks to the Charge 6’s internal array to refine and enhance its audio output.

While it is still a mono speaker with dual passive radiators and a 20mm tweeter, JBL has fitted the Charge 6 with a slightly larger woofer, which should help deliver deeper, more impactful bass, increasing its max output from 40W to 45W overall.

The Charge 6 also introduces AI Sound Boost, a feature designed to analyse audio in real time and adjust the output to minimise distortion. In theory, this should help the Charge 6 maintain a more balanced sound at higher volumes, preventing the bass from overwhelming the mids and treble.

While we haven’t had the chance to test it fully yet, on paper, these upgrades suggest the Charge 6 could offer a worthwhile step up over its predecessor.

4. Lossless Playback via USB-C

For those who demand the highest audio quality, the Charge 6 offers something the Charge 5 couldn’t: lossless hi-res audio playback over USB-C. This means that if you connect it to a compatible device using a USB-C cable, you’ll get uncompressed, high-fidelity sound.

While this might not be a game changer for everyone, especially if you mostly rely on Bluetooth for your music, it’s definitely a nice feature for those who want the option of wired playback for the best possible sound quality.

5. Improved Connectivity with Auracast

Following in the footsteps of JBL’s latest portable speakers like the JBL Go 4 and JBL Xtreme 4, the Charge 6 says goodbye to PartyBoost, opting for Auracast technology instead.

This upgrade lets you wirelessly link multiple Auracast-enabled JBL speakers for an even more immersive sound experience. Whether you’re creating a stereo pair or going all out with a room-filling setup, Auracast ensures seamless connectivity without lag or dropouts. Sounds great, right?

Just remember, while Auracast is better future-proofed, it isn’t backward compatible with PartyBoost. So, if you have older JBL speakers, they won’t sync with the Charge 6.

6. Enhanced App Features for Custom Sound Control

JBL has stepped up its game with the Charge 6, bringing new app features that give you more control over your sound. Whether you prefer simple, one-tap presets or like to tweak your audio manually, there’s a lot more to explore with this one.

There are four EQ presets to choose from. JBL Signature delivers the classic JBL sound with rich bass and crisp highs, while Chill softens the treble and adds warmth for a more laid-back listening experience. Energetic boosts the bass and treble for a punchier, more powerful sound that’s great for parties, and Vocal enhances midrange clarity, making speech stand out for podcasts and audiobooks.

For those who like to manually fine-tune their audio, JBL has also upgraded the Charge 6’s EQ from three bands on the Charge 5 to a more advanced seven-band equalizer. This gives even more precise control over bass, mids, and treble, letting you adjust specific frequencies to better suit your music.

7. Detachable Handle for Complete Portability

For those constantly on the move, JBL has added a detachable carry strap with clips to the Charge 6. This small but handy feature makes it much easier to carry your speaker hands-free, whether you’re at home, hiking, or just strolling through town. It’s a simple upgrade but one that makes the Charge 6 even more portable and convenient than before.

8. Redesigned Button Layout for Easy Control

JBL has refined the button placement and design on the Charge 6, making it more intuitive to use. The power and Bluetooth buttons have been relocated for better accessibility, and the overall layout feels more streamlined. It’s a small but welcome change that makes navigating playback controls even easier than before.

JBL Charge 6 vs Charge 5: What's Stayed the Same?

While the Charge 6 brings plenty of upgrades, JBL has wisely kept a lot of what made the Charge 5 such a popular choice. The overall size and shape are nearly identical, so it’s still easy to throw in a bag or take on the go.

The signature JBL sound profile remains the same, though the extra bass boost from the slightly larger woofer and AI Sound Boost is a welcome upgrade. JBL has also kept Bluetooth 5.3 for a strong and stable wireless connection, ensuring smooth streaming wherever you are.

For those who rely on their speaker to charge their devices, the built-in power bank feature is still here, letting you top up your phone or accessories via the USB-C port—a handy extra for long days out.

If you loved the rugged build, powerful sound, and long battery life of the previous model, you’ll be pleased to know that the core experience remains the same with some welcome refinements.

JBL Charge 6 vs Charge 5: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

JBL has taken an already impressive speaker and made it even better. With upgrades to durability, battery life, audio performance, and portability, the Charge 6 feels like a natural evolution rather than just a minor refresh. The £10 price increase seems more than fair considering the extra features, and we can’t wait to fully test it out to see just how much of a difference these changes make in real-world use.

If you’re new to the Charge series or upgrading from an older JBL model, the Charge 6 is an easy recommendation. It’s tougher, smarter, and better sounding, making it one of the best portable speakers in its class. However, if you already own a Charge 5, the decision is trickier. It’s not a drastic overhaul, but the refinements might just be enough to tempt you. We’ll be putting it through its paces soon on our YouTube channel, so stay tuned for our in-depth testing and hands-on impressions!

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JBL Charge 6 vs Charge 5: 8 Reasons You Need To Upgrade!

Thinking of upgrading to the JBL Charge 6? Here’s what’s new!