The JBL Charge 6 is JBL’s latest Charge speaker (released on April 6 2025) and replaces its predecessor, the JBL Charge 5. Both use the same 52 x 90 mm racetrack woofer and 20 mm tweeter setup with 30W and 10W RMS output respectively, so the overall sound signature remains familiar.
The JBL Charge 6 features Bluetooth 5.3 compared to the Charge 5’s Bluetooth 5.1, offering better energy efficiency and future LE Audio support through a firmware update. The Charge 6 also adds a USB-C audio input, giving it the flexibility to handle wired playback which the Charge 5 does not offer.
Battery capacity remains the same at 7500mAh with a rated 20 hours of playback, though the Charge 6 supports USB-C Power Delivery for faster charging. In terms of design, weight, and dimensions, both are nearly identical, and both carry the same IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating. Overall, the Charge 6 feels like a refinement of the Charge 5 rather than a full overhaul, making it a smarter buy if you are picking between the two today.
How does the Charge 6 differ from the Charge 5?
The JBL Charge 6 essentially has the same driver features and acoustic sound signature of the JBL Charge 5. Both the Charge 6 and Charge 5 use the same driver setup—a 52 x 90 mm racetrack woofer paired with a 20 mm tweeter. They are powered by the same amplifiers too, with 30 watts going to the woofer and 10 watts to the tweeter. In terms of pure sound output, there’s no major leap. The body size is also almost identical, with the Charge 6 being slightly more compact at 220 x 96 x 94 mm while the Charge 5 measures 223 x 97 x 94 mm. Both weigh about 960 grams, so they feel very similar when carrying them around.
The real differences are in connectivity and charging. The Charge 6 uses Bluetooth 5.3 compared to the older Bluetooth 5.1 on the Charge 5. Even though both are stable and strong for music streaming, Bluetooth 5.3 is more energy-efficient and will eventually allow for LE Audio once JBL pushes a firmware update. Another change that stood out to me was the addition of a USB-C audio input on the Charge 6. The Charge 5 doesn’t support wired playback at all—it only has a USB-A port that is strictly for powerbank use. I found the Charge 6 more convenient because I could charge my phone and also play audio through a single USB-C cable if needed. Battery life remains rated at up to 20 hours for both, but the Charge 6 now supports USB Power Delivery for faster recharging if you use a compatible charger.
Both speakers are still rated IP67 for water and dust protection, and the fabric-wrapped designs feel equally tough and ready for outdoor use. In everyday handling, the Charge 6 feels more refined without losing what made the Charge 5 a strong pick for casual and travel listening. The upgrades aren’t massive but they are practical, especially if you value better future-proofing and a cleaner cable setup when using wired playback. For someone choosing between the two today, I think the Charge 6 edges out the Charge 5 simply because of these smaller but noticeable improvements.
JBL Charge 6 Full Specs Table
| Specification | JBL Charge 6 | JBL Charge 5 |
| Power Output | 30W RMS (woofer) + 10W RMS (tweeter) = 40W RMS total | 30W RMS (woofer) + 10W RMS (tweeter) = 40W RMS total |
| Driver Configuration | 1 x 52 x 90 mm racetrack woofer + 1 x 20 mm tweeter | 1 x 52 x 90 mm racetrack woofer + 1 x 20 mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60 Hz – 20 kHz | 65 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.3 (LE Audio support via future update) | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Audio Input | USB-C audio input (wired playback supported) | None |
| Charging Port | USB-C with Power Delivery support | USB-C (no Power Delivery) |
| Powerbank Output | USB-C output for charging external devices | USB-A output for charging external devices |
| Battery Capacity | 7500mAh (3.6V, 27Wh) | 7500mAh (3.6V, 27Wh) |
| Playback Time | Up to 20 hours (varies by volume and content) | Up to 20 hours (varies by volume and content) |
| Charging Time | ~4 hours with 5V/3A USB-C PD charger | ~4 hours with 5V/3A USB-C charger |
| Water/Dust Resistance | IP67 (waterproof and dustproof) | IP67 (waterproof and dustproof) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 220 x 96 x 94 mm | 223 x 97 x 94 mm |
| Weight | 960 g | 960 g |
| Stereo Pairing | JBL PartyBoost (can pair with other PartyBoost-compatible speakers) | JBL PartyBoost (can pair with other PartyBoost-compatible speakers) |
| App Support | JBL Portable app (EQ, firmware updates, PartyBoost control) | JBL Portable app (firmware updates, PartyBoost control) |
Sound Performance
The first thing I played on the JBL Charge 6 was “Nights” by Frank Ocean and this gave me a sense of how the speaker handles transitions and low-end bass. The 52 x 90 mm racetrack woofer combined with the 30W output gave the first half of the track a warm low-end thump that didn’t overpower the vocals, while the 20 mm tweeter handling the highs kept the guitar shimmer and atmospheric layers clean. When the beat flipped halfway through the track, the bass dropped deeper and the Charge 6 didn’t lose grip. It didn’t rumble like a larger speaker would, but for its size, the response was tight and balanced. I never felt like it was straining, even when I pushed it past 70 percent volume.
I followed that with “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” by Tame Impala [from Currents] to test the stereo feel and midrange clarity. The speaker handled the synth-heavy textures without getting muddy. The stereo separation wasn’t massive, but there was a noticeable spread in the way the instruments sat across the soundstage. Kevin Parker’s vocals cut through without sounding thin, and the drums had a punchy snap, especially in the kick and snare. At around 80 percent volume, I started to notice a bit of compression in the low-mids, which is pretty typical for a speaker of this scale, but the high frequencies stayed smooth without getting harsh. It felt like the DSP was tuned more for control than loudness, which worked well for detailed listening.
I wrapped up with “Be Your Girl (Kaytranada Remix)” by Teedra Moses to see how it would handle groove-heavy production and layered rhythms. This track has a lot going on in the low end, and the Charge 6 kept up better than I expected. The bass was rounded and had enough body to drive the beat, but never veered into boomy territory. The snare hits and high hats stayed clean, and the vocals rode just above the mix without getting buried. What I appreciated was how consistent the tonal balance stayed across different genres—I didn’t feel like I had to keep adjusting the volume or EQ. Overall, the sound felt intentional and measured. Not overly hyped, not too flat—just a solid balance that made long listening sessions feel easy.
Design comparison with the JBL Charge 5
Comparing both the JBL Charge 6 with the Charge 5, the dimensions are nearly identical—the Charge 6 is 220 mm wide while the Charge 5 is just slightly longer at 223 mm. Both weigh around 960 grams and use the same rugged fabric wrap that gives a grippy, durable surface. The rubberized ends that protect the passive radiators felt equally sturdy on both. I couldn’t feel much difference in texture or resistance when holding them, and both are rated IP67 so they’re made to handle splashes, sand and occasional drops. The design honestly hasn’t changed much between the two, which makes sense because the Charge series has always been about balance—portable enough to carry but rugged enough to withstand outdoor elements.
The Charge 6 does refine a few things in a subtle way – the USB-C port now supports both charging and wired audio input, which made the rear panel look cleaner compared to the Charge 5, which had a USB-A output and no audio-in capability. The control buttons on top feel almost identical between the two—slightly raised through the fabric with enough click to navigate playback without looking. The branding and finish are minimal and consistent across both, and after using them back to back, the Charge 6 felt just a bit more streamlined.
The Verdict?
Personally, I would go with the JBL Charge 6 if I don’t already have the Charge 5 and want to get a decent portable Bluetooth speaker. Compared to the JBL Charge 5, the improvements may seem subtle—Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C audio input and slightly cleaner tuning—but they make a real difference in day-to-day use. The ability to plug in a device directly through USB-C gave me more flexibility, and I liked that it has LE Audio support coming later. It still uses the same 52 x 90 mm woofer and 20 mm tweeter with 40W total output, but it felt a little more controlled at higher volumes, especially during long listening sessions. The design is basically identical to the Charge 5, but it’s a bit more refined and efficient in how everything is laid out.
That said, I think the JBL Xtreme 4 is the better speaker if sound performance is the absolute priority and you don’t mind the extra bulk. It’s in a different class altogether with dual 70 mm woofers, 100W output and AI Sound Boost that adapts based on what you’re playing and how loud it is. When I wanted real presence and more bass depth, especially outdoors or in larger rooms, the Xtreme 4 delivered in a way neither Charge speaker could. But carrying it around is a commitment—it’s over 2 kilograms and almost the size of a small bag. So for portability with strong audio and more versatility, I would go with the JBL Charge 6. If I was planning to use the speaker more as a mobile sound system for louder environments, I’d go with the Xtreme 4. Between the three, I think the Charge 6 is the most balanced and the better overall speaker for most people.