Comparing both the JBL Charge 6 and the Bose SoundLink Flex 2, the JBL Charge 6 is larger, heavier and more powerful—it pushes 40W RMS through its 52 x 90 mm woofer and 20 mm tweeter combo, while the SoundLink Flex 2 is more compact and tuned for clarity with a single full-range transducer and dual passive radiators. Battery life is another difference—the Charge 6 lasts up to 20 hours, while the Flex 2 gets around 12, though both are USB-C rechargeable and waterproof with IP67 ratings.
The JBL Charge 6 also offers USB-C audio input and powerbank functionality, while the Flex 2 sticks to Bluetooth-only playback but includes Bose’s PositionIQ tech, which adjusts sound depending on how it’s placed. If you want fuller sound and longer playtime, the Charge 6 feels like the better fit. If you care more about portability and voice clarity in a smaller frame, the Flex 2 is a good choice.
Specs Comparison
The JBL Charge 6 is a compact and powerful speaker – it weighs just under a kilogram and measures around 220 mm wide. It uses a 52 by 90 mm racetrack-style woofer along with a 20 mm tweeter, driven by separate amps that deliver 30 watts to the woofer and 10 watts to the tweeter. That split driver setup gives it more room to handle bass and high frequencies independently. The Flex 2, on the other hand, is smaller and lighter, weighing about 580 grams. It uses a single custom full-range transducer and two passive radiators, so all the sound is coming from one source rather than split across separate drivers.
In terms of battery, the Charge 6 gives you more at 7500mAh with a rated 20 hours of playback. The SoundLink Flex 2 gives you about 12 hours on a full charge, which is decent for its size but not quite on the same level for long sessions or travel. Both charge via USB-C, but the Charge 6 adds USB-C audio input and powerbank functionality, which gave me a bit more freedom when I needed to run it wired or charge another device. The Flex 2 doesn’t have any physical inputs beyond USB-C for charging. Connectivity is also different—Charge 6 uses Bluetooth 5.3, while the Flex 2 runs on Bluetooth 4.2, which is starting to show its age when switching between devices or streaming higher bitrate tracks. Both are rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, and I felt comfortable using either around water or on outdoor trips.
Where Bose leans in is tuning and smart orientation. The Bose Flex 2 uses PositionIQ technology, which means it adjusts its sound based on whether you place it upright, lying flat or hanging vertically. I tested that by flipping it around while playing the same track and the shifts in EQ were subtle but noticeable, especially in the low end. The Charge 6 doesn’t adapt that way, but it has a more open and dynamic soundstage overall because of its dual-driver design and higher output. Both have their own focus—the Flex 2 is more about simplicity and portability, while the Charge 6 gives you more control, more volume and better range across genres. If I needed something small for podcasts, voice calls or quick music listening, the Flex 2 would work. But for music-heavy use and longer outings, the Charge 6 felt like the more capable speaker.
Table Comparison
| Specification | JBL Charge 6 | Bose SoundLink Flex 2 |
| Power Output | 30W RMS (woofer) + 10W RMS (tweeter) = 40W RMS total | Estimated 20W RMS (Bose does not officially specify) |
| Driver Configuration | 1 x 52 x 90 mm racetrack woofer + 1 x 20 mm tweeter | 1 custom full-range transducer + dual passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz – 20 kHz | Not officially disclosed |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.3 (LE Audio support via update) | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Audio Input | USB-C (wired playback supported) | None |
| Charging Port | USB-C with Power Delivery | USB-C (charging only) |
| Powerbank Output | Yes (USB-C output for charging devices) | No |
| Battery Capacity | 7500mAh (3.6V, 27Wh) | Not specified (approx. 12 hours playback) |
| Playback Time | Up to 20 hours | Up to 12 hours |
| Charging Time | ~4 hours with 5V/3A USB-C PD charger | ~4 hours |
| Water/Dust Resistance | IP67 (waterproof and dustproof) | IP67 (waterproof and dustproof) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 220 x 96 x 94 mm | 201 x 91 x 53 mm |
| Weight | 960 g | 580 g |
| Smart Sound Adjustment | No | Yes (PositionIQ auto EQ based on orientation) |
| Voice Assistant Support | No | Yes (via connected phone, no onboard mic for assistant use) |
| App Support | JBL Portable App (EQ, firmware updates, PartyBoost) | Bose Connect App (firmware updates, pairing) |
| Stereo Pairing | JBL PartyBoost | Bose SimpleSync (only with Bose speakers or headphones) |
Sound Comparison
The first track I tested was “Crane Song” by Gallant because it has a clean vocal line sitting over a deep bassline and shimmering synth textures. On the JBL Charge 6, the separation between the low-end and midrange felt more defined—the 52 x 90 mm woofer delivered a tight bass presence that didn’t overpower the rest of the mix, and the 20 mm tweeter gave the vocal that extra lift. The sound was full and balanced even at higher volumes, and I didn’t notice distortion creeping in until I pushed it past 80 percent. The Bose SoundLink Flex 2 handled the same track with a softer low-end. It leaned more into vocal clarity, and while the mids were smooth, the bass didn’t land with the same authority. It sounded warm but less layered.
I followed that with “Midnight” by Lane 8 to see how both speakers dealt with ambient space and stereo-like imaging. The Charge 6 had more width, even though it’s technically a mono unit like the Flex 2. The tweeter helped create a better sense of dimension in the upper frequencies, which I heard most clearly in the echo effects and airy pads. The Flex 2 kept the sound focused and clean, but it felt more centered. Bose’s PositionIQ did adjust the tone slightly depending on how I placed it—laying flat gave it more low-end, while upright pushed the vocals forward—but even with that, it didn’t open up the soundstage in the same way. Both speakers were clean and pleasant to listen to, but the Charge 6 made the track feel more immersive.
To wrap things up, I played “U Move, I Move” by John Legend and Jhené Aiko. This duet is a good test for vocal balance and soft dynamic shifts. The Flex 2 did a nice job keeping both voices centered and clean, and I liked the soft edges it gave to Jhené’s higher notes. But the Charge 6 gave the vocals more presence and slightly more texture—it sounded like there was more headroom for the details in their performances. The extra 40W of total power from the Charge 6 gave it more control and volume to work with, which made it feel more confident across the board. In the end, I think the Flex 2 works well for vocal-forward music and lower volume listening. But if I want something more dynamic, especially with deeper bass and clearer highs, the Charge 6 feels more bass-heavy and satisfying overall.
Design Comparison
Compared with the Bose SoundLink Flex 2, the JBL Charge 6 is noticeably larger and heavier—it weighs about 960 grams and has a cylindrical shape that feels solid in the hand. The body is wrapped in a tight-knit fabric mesh, and the passive radiators on both ends are capped in textured rubber. It’s about 220 mm wide, so it takes up more space in a bag, but that extra bulk gives it a sense of density and balance when I set it down, especially outdoors. The IP67 rating meant I didn’t worry about using it around water or dust. The flattened base gave it decent stability on uneven surfaces, and the control buttons were evenly spaced across the top with enough travel to feel responsive without being too stiff.
The Bose SoundLink Flex 2 felt more pocketable by comparison. At just 580 grams and around 20 centimeters long, it’s closer to a slim rectangle than a barrel. It fits easily into one hand and slides into a smaller bag without any trouble. The outer shell is a matte-finished silicone that felt soft but durable, and it didn’t show fingerprints or scuffs after being tossed around a bit. The grille on the front is metal and has a bit of flex when pressed, which gave me the impression that it could take some pressure without cracking. The passive radiators are sealed inside, so there’s no external movement like you get with the Charge 6. I liked how there’s a built-in utility loop on the side—it made it easy to clip the speaker onto a bag or hook. The buttons are raised slightly from the silicone surface, and while they felt a bit more flush than on the Charge 6, they responded well and were easy to find by touch.
The JBL Charge 6 feels more durable and rugged for outdoor use compared to the SoundLink Flex 2. It has a powerbank function and USB-C audio input, which gave me more control and flexibility when I wanted to charge a phone or plug in a device. The Flex 2 kept things simpler—wireless only, no extra ports—but its smaller footprint made it easier to bring along without thinking about space. Both are IP67 rated, and both handled splashes and dirt without issue, but I found myself reaching for the Flex 2 when I wanted to travel light and the Charge 6 when I wanted more playback time and a heavier-duty feel. Design-wise, neither one felt fragile or cheap. It’s more about how much you want to carry and what kind of listening experience you’re planning for.
The Verdict?
Personally, I would go with the JBL Charge 6. It just gives me more flexibility and delivers fuller sound, deeper bass and longer playback. The 40W output through a dedicated woofer and tweeter setup makes a real difference when listening to layered music or pushing the volume a bit higher. It also helps that it runs on Bluetooth 5.3 with USB-C audio input and can charge my phone through the same port. With up to 20 hours of battery life and that sturdy cylindrical build, the Charge 6 felt like something I could bring to a full-day outing without needing to recharge or baby it. It’s a little heavier, sure, but that trade-off felt worth it when I wanted better sound presence and deeper bass.
That said, I think the Bose SoundLink Flex 2 has a lot of appeal for someone who just wants something smaller and simpler to carry. It’s lighter, more compact and does a good job with vocal clarity and softer tracks. The PositionIQ tech gave it a bit of adaptive intelligence depending on where I placed it, which was nice in more casual settings. But the Flex 2 falls short in overall power, connection options and battery life. For those reasons, I think the Charge 6 is the better overall speaker. It handles a wider range of music with more authority, lasts longer and gives me more ways to use it especially in an outdoor environment.