JBL Charge 5
(25875 reviews)
JBL's most popular portable speaker: 40W of powerful sound, IP67 waterproofing, 20 hours of battery life and a power bank function to charge your phone.
Characteristics
- Power: 40 W (30 W + 2 x 5 W)
- Battery life: 20 h (7500 mAh battery)
- Functions: Speaker, USB-A power bank, IP67 waterproof
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, PartyBoost
- 40W sound, IP67, 20h and USB phone charging
Detailed overview: JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker
The JBL Charge 5 has established itself as one of the best-selling portable Bluetooth speakers, and that success is no accident. In a compact, rugged body it brings together everything you expect from an outdoor speaker: power, battery life, real resistance to the elements and a built-in power bank that turns it into a multi-purpose device.
On the sound side, the Charge 5 delivers 40W in total, split between an oval racetrack mid-woofer and two dedicated tweeters for the highs. The result is a clear, balanced output, with deep bass served by two side-firing passive radiators. Frequency response runs from 60 Hz to 20 kHz, enough to fill a terrace, a beach or a room with ease.
Its large 7500 mAh Lithium-ion battery (37 Wh) provides up to 20 hours of playback and recharges in about 4 hours over USB-C. That battery also powers the power bank feature: a USB-A port lets you charge a smartphone or a small accessory, a real asset when travelling, camping or at a festival.
The Charge 5 is IP67 rated: fully waterproof (submersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes) and dust-protected, it fears neither rain, sand nor splashes. Bluetooth 5.1 provides a stable connection, and PartyBoost technology lets you pair several compatible JBL speakers to amplify the sound at a party.
Rugged, long-lasting and versatile, it weighs about 960 g for dimensions of 22 x 9.5 x 9.5 cm. Its only limits: no wired auxiliary input and no built-in microphone. Everything else makes the Charge 5 a safe choice in portable sound.
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Our tester's review: Guillaume Hoarau
We took the Charge 5 everywhere, and that is exactly what it is built for. On a terrace or by the pool, the sound really carries: the 40W fill a garden without distorting, with bass that is genuinely present for a speaker this size. The IP67 rating reassured us more than once, between a surprise shower while camping and splashes at the water's edge, it takes it all in stride. Battery life lives up to the claim: on a full day out we never had to recharge it, and the 20 hours are realistic at a reasonable volume. The little extra that places it among multi-function devices is the USB-A port that rescues a dead smartphone, very handy on a hike or at a festival. Two honest downsides: there is no aux input and no microphone for calls, and at full volume the battery drains a bit faster. But for generous sound, a rugged build and real portable versatility, the Charge 5 remains a safe bet.
Frequently asked questions: JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth speaker
Yes. Thanks to its 7500 mAh battery, it works as a power bank: a USB-A port lets you charge a smartphone or a small device while playing music, or even with the speaker turned off.
Up to 20 hours of playback at a moderate volume. A full recharge takes about 4 hours over USB-C. At full volume the battery drains faster, but it easily lasts a full day.
Yes, it is IP67 rated: fully waterproof to submersion (up to 1 m for 30 minutes) and dust-protected. It handles rain, sand and splashes at the water's edge with no trouble.
Yes, through the PartyBoost feature of Bluetooth 5.1. You can pair several PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers to play the same music and get more powerful sound at a party.
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Published on 11/07/2026