The JBL Charge 6 and Bose SoundLink Max are both portable Bluetooth speakers with different specs and sound signatures. The JBL Charge 6 is more compact and lighter at around 960 grams, making it easier to carry daily, while the SoundLink Max is noticeably larger and heavier at nearly 2.2 kg—it feels more like a small home speaker you can bring outdoors. In terms of power, the Bose pushes significantly more output with three transducers and dual passive radiators compared to the Charge 6’s 30W woofer and 10W tweeter setup.
Compared to the Charge 6, the SoundLink Max also includes spatial processing and deeper bass performance that’s tuned more for rich, room-filling sound, whereas the Charge 6 keeps a tighter profile with strong clarity and longer 20-hour battery life. The Max offers around 20 hours too but adds more high-end polish like aptX Adaptive codec support and a carry handle. So while the Charge 6 is the more portable and versatile option for everyday use, the SoundLink Max leans into bigger sound and premium build at a higher price point.
Specs Comparison
The JBL Charge 6 and the Bose SoundLink Max are both Bluetooth speakers with IP67 water and dust resistance, but they differ significantly in size and technical specifications. The Charge 6 weighs 960 grams and measures approximately 220 x 96 x 94 mm, using a 52 x 90 mm racetrack woofer and a 20 mm tweeter with a total RMS output of 40 watts (30W for the woofer and 10W for the tweeter). It supports Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio compatibility via future firmware, and includes a USB-C port that functions both as an audio input and for charging. It also serves as a powerbank, offering USB-C output for external devices. The battery capacity is 7500mAh and provides up to 20 hours of playback, depending on volume and content.
The Bose SoundLink Max is significantly larger and heavier, measuring around 265 x 120 x 105 mm and weighing approximately 2.13 kilograms. It includes three full-range drivers and two passive radiators, though Bose does not publish exact driver dimensions or wattage output. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 and offers SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codec compatibility, which may provide improved audio performance on supported devices. The SoundLink Max does not include a 3.5 mm or USB-C audio input, focusing solely on wireless playback. Its battery is rated for up to 20 hours of usage as well, but the specific capacity (in mAh or Wh) is not listed. It includes a built-in carry handle and uses a metal and silicone chassis for added durability.
From a specifications standpoint, the Charge 6 is a more portable and rugged speaker. The SoundLink Max is positioned as a more premium speaker with higher quality soundstage, wider codec support, and a build focused on delivering more room-filling sound.
Table Comparison
| Specification | JBL Charge 6 | Bose SoundLink Max |
| Power Output | 30W (woofer) + 10W (tweeter) = 40W RMS total | Not officially disclosed (estimated ~60–80W RMS class) |
| Driver Configuration | 1 x 52 x 90 mm woofer + 1 x 20 mm tweeter | 3 custom full-range drivers + 2 passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz – 20 kHz | Not officially disclosed |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.3 (LE Audio support via update) | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Codec Support | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Audio Input | USB-C audio input supported | None |
| Powerbank Output | Yes (USB-C output) | No |
| Charging Port | USB-C with Power Delivery | USB-C |
| Battery Capacity | 7500mAh (3.6V, 27Wh) | Not officially disclosed (approx. ~20 hours use) |
| Playback Time | Up to 20 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Charging Time | ~4 hours with 5V/3A USB-C PD charger | Approx. 5 hours |
| Water/Dust Resistance | IP67 (waterproof and dustproof) | IP67 (waterproof and dustproof) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 220 x 96 x 94 mm | 265 x 120 x 105 mm |
| Weight | 960 g | 2130 g |
| Build Material | Fabric mesh and rubberized passive radiator caps | Metal grille, silicone exterior, integrated carry handle |
| Voice Assistant Support | No | No onboard mic (no voice assistant access) |
| App Support | JBL Portable App (EQ, firmware, PartyBoost pairing) | Bose App (firmware, source management) |
| Stereo Pairing | JBL PartyBoost | Bose SimpleSync (with compatible Bose devices) |
Sound Performance
The first track I played was “Come Through” by H.E.R. and Chris Brown (from Back of My Mind), a laid-back R&B song with deep low-end and soft vocal layering. The JBL Charge 6 delivered a clean and punchy response. The 52 x 90 mm woofer handled the bassline well and the 20 mm tweeter gave the vocals a nice lift without sounding sharp. The stereo separation wasn’t wide—this is a mono speaker after all—but it still felt dynamic enough for a small room. When I played the same track on the Bose SoundLink Max, the difference in scale was immediate. With three full-range drivers and dual passive radiators, it produced deeper bass and more spatial presence. I could feel the low end fill the room more evenly and the vocals had extra depth, almost as if they were floating just in front of the mix. The Charge 6 gave me a tighter, more focused sound while the Max felt more immersive.
I moved on to “Time” by Hans Zimmer [from Inception] to test cinematic dynamics and volume handling. The Charge 6 held up surprisingly well through the slow build-up—it stayed balanced and didn’t distort as the volume climbed. But it did start to compress a little once I pushed past 75 percent. The Bose SoundLink Max handled the track with more headroom. The crescendos came through with better control and more layering, especially in the lower strings and sub-bass swells. Even at high volumes, it stayed composed. The wider physical driver array also gave the Max a better sense of horizontal spread. I could hear more air between the instruments, which made the overall experience feel bigger and more relaxed. Both speakers got loud enough for casual listening and small group settings, but the Max felt like it had a second gear the Charge 6 couldn’t reach.
To finish off, I played “Late Night Talking” by Harry Styles [from Harry’s House] to get a feel for modern pop production—tight percussion, layered harmonies and processed synths. The Charge 6 delivered a lively sound with good upper-mid clarity. The snare hits were crisp and the synths didn’t blur together. At moderate volume, it sounded clean and upbeat. On the SoundLink Max, the same track had more dimension. The midrange felt fuller and the vocal layering had a smoother blend. There was a richness in the tone that made the listening feel more spacious, even if it wasn’t dramatically louder. The added weight in the low-mids helped the chorus land with more warmth. I think the Charge 6 is still a great option for portable listening—it’s clear, energetic and compact. But if sound quality is the top priority and portability is less of a concern, the SoundLink Max clearly performs at a higher level.
Design Comparison
The JBL Charge 6 weighs just under one kilogram and keeps the familiar cylindrical shape that JBL has stuck with for a while for the Charge series. It’s wrapped in a tough fabric mesh with rubberized passive radiator caps on each end and a slightly flattened base that helps it sit stable on different surfaces. The IP67 rating meant I didn’t have to worry about dirt or water when using it outside, and the size made it easy to slide into a backpack without it feeling bulky. The control buttons on top are tactile and spaced evenly, and the USB-C port at the back handles charging, audio input and powerbank output, which made it practical for travel and casual use.
The Bose SoundLink Max, on the other hand, feels more like a piece of portable audio equipment than a carry-around speaker. It weighs over two kilograms and has a more structured shape—slightly boxier with a built-in metal carry handle that sits flush when not in use. The body is covered in a mix of metal grille and soft-touch silicone that wraps around the back and sides. It felt solid and balanced when I picked it up, but also more deliberate in its design—it’s not the kind of speaker you’d throw in a bag casually. The IP67 rating gave me the same level of environmental confidence as the Charge 6, but the SoundLink Max felt more refined in how it handled weight distribution and surface contact. The buttons are set into the silicone shell on top and felt soft but responsive under my fingers. It doesn’t have a wired audio input, which was something I missed, especially considering its size and more stationary design.
In terms of day-to-day use, the Charge 6 felt more versatile. It’s light enough to move around quickly and compact enough to use on a nightstand or carry on short outings. It gave me just enough ruggedness and utility without trying to be too much. The SoundLink Max felt more focused on premium build and acoustic performance. It’s clearly designed for people who want better sound without stepping into full home audio gear, but the trade-off is portability as it’s slightly more bulky than the Charge 5. I still prefer the sleek aesthetic look for the SoundLink Max though.
The Verdict?
Personally, I would go with the JBL Charge 6 if I were looking for a versatile and portable speaker. It’s compact, weighs under a kilo, and gives me a reliable 20 hours of playback with USB-C audio input and powerbank output—all in a form that I can toss into a backpack without thinking twice. The 40W output from the woofer and tweeter gives it solid sound for its size, and while it doesn’t have the room-filling depth of something larger, it holds its own in smaller spaces. I also liked how practical it felt—Bluetooth 5.3, PartyBoost pairing, and a physical build that’s already familiar to the Charge series but refined.
That said, the Bose SoundLink Max is a better speaker if you want premium sound quality and you don’t mind the added bulk. It’s heavier, at over two kilograms, but that weight translates to fuller mids, stronger bass and more presence in the room. The spatial feel from its triple driver setup and passive radiators gave me a listening experience that felt more immersive, especially with pop, R&B and cinematic tracks. I think that if you’re going to mostly listen at home or bring the speaker somewhere and leave it in one spot, the Max gives you a richer payoff. But for a speaker that balances portability, battery life and sound without being too bulky or too pricey, I think the Charge 6 is the better overall choice for most people.