JBL Charge 6 – Portable Waterproof & Drop-Proof Bluetooth Speaker

JBL Charge 6 Review: The Champ Is Here

What We Loved

• Bass performancethe bass is definitely there, with the ability to send tiny little aural shivers down your spine.I felt that bass.never did the lows get so aggressive that they submerged the rest of the track.
• Battery life (if portable)packs a full day of charge plus four hours with the Playtime Boost featurethat time jumps to 28 hoursJBL estimates the Charge 6’s 4,722mAH battery can last a full day playing music.I managed to run the Charge 6 down in 23 hours and 42 minutes at 50% volume.
• Build qualityCute, super durable designThe speaker is currently one of the most durable Bluetooth speakers on the market.
• Charging timeit’s got fast charge.it should only take three hours to achieve a full charge.10 minutes will get you 150 minutes of music playback
• Detail retrievalI had no problem hearing the tiny plosives from Alanis Morissette on the quieter parts of “Ironic.”smaller audio points like claps, maracas, trilling keys, and snaps were fully present.
• Drop resistance durabilitythe speaker can withstand drops of up to 1 meter onto concrete or hardwood.
• Dust resistance ratingWith a durability rating of IP68, it’s one of toughest S.O.B.s on the market.In addition to being water and dust proof
• EQ customizationPlaytime Boost, which disables the equalizer while boosting the volume.there are four distinct equalizer settings in addition to a custom one you can tweak yourself.JBL Signature, which is the default setting.
• Frequency response balancethe Charge 6 presents a fairly balanced performanceaudio that’s mostly clean, warm, and balanced.
• Handle or strap qualityI was a little worried about the thin plastic strip holding the strap in place, but I’ve shaken the bejesus out of this thing with no ill effects.
• Inter-speaker connectivityThe Charge 6 can pair with another Charge 6 via the PartyTogether feature in the free JBL Portable app for some stereo action.the technology should work with any PartyTogether-compatible JBL speakers.the Charge 6 can broadcast to an unlimited number of compatible devices, provided they’re in range.
• Loudness / maximum volumePowerful audio despite its size
• Power bank functionyou can still top off your smartphone or tablet when its battery’s low.the speaker can also charge a smartphone or tablet. Unfortunately, it can’t top off your laptop.
• Smart featureswith Auracast, the Charge 6 can share audio with an unlimited number of devices.The company also added its proprietary AI Boost tech, which delivers optimal audio performance with the least amount of distortion by analyzing your music in real time.
• Soundstage widthwith a generous soundstage.the Charge 6 employs a nice, wide soundstage
• USB-C chargingThere’s a USB-C port in the back that you can use to either charge the speaker or a device that’s running low on juice
• Value for moneyonly costs $200.big on both sound and valuegoes easy on your walletthe JBL Charge 6 stands heads above the competition.
• Water resistance ratingWith a durability rating of IP68, it’s one of toughest S.O.B.s on the market.In addition to being water and dust proof
• Wired input availabilityYou can connect the Charge 6 to a laptop, smartphone, or tablet and get some Lossless audio going

Just Okay

• Distortion at high volumeAre there moments when there’s a little distortion? Sure, but they’re few and far betweenThe highs and mids can get distorted at max volume
• Treble clarityA little harsh on the highsthe highs and mids can get distorted at max volume
• Weight convenienceWeighing 33.8 ounces, the 9 x 3.9 x 3.7-inch Charge 6 is a chunky thing.

I'm bringing this portable JBL speaker to all my summer festivities - here's why | ZDNET

What We Loved

• Battery life (if portable)The Charge 6 promises 28 hours of playtime on a single charge, four more hours than its predecessor.Two of those extra hours are attributed to a feature called Playtime Boost, which decreases the bass strength to conserve battery.
• Bluetooth connection stabilityan enhanced Bluetooth version for more stable connections and efficient power consumption
• Build qualityThe Charge 6 offers great sound, durability, battery life, and in-app features.
• Dust resistance ratingAt IP68, the Charge 6 is fully protected from dust
• EQ customizationIf the bass gets too heavy for your liking, you can adjust the speaker's EQ settings in the JBL Portable app.You can choose from preset EQs or create your own.
• Handle or strap qualitythe added carrying strap provides more portability
• Inter-speaker connectivityincludes Auracast, which allows you to connect the speaker to an unlimited number of other Auracast-enabled speakers
• Loudness / maximum volumeits loudness is still impressive for its frame
• Power bank functionif your or your buddy's smartphone has a low battery, you can whip out your USB-C cord and plug your phone into the speaker to keep it alive.
• Smart featuresThe Charge 6 debuts with JBL's proprietary AI Sound Boost, which uses an algorithm to analyze your music as it plays in real time to tweak the speaker's EQ.
• Status indicatorsthe Charge 6 will blink red if the port is still wet
• Value for moneyfor $200 less.It is more affordable than competitors with similar features
• Water resistance ratingAt IP68, the Charge 6 is fully protected from dust and can survive submersion in almost five feet (1.5 meters) of water for up to 30 minutes.Although it's waterproof, constant, untreated exposure to salt and chlorine can incur internal damage, just like any other Bluetooth speaker.JBL asserts that the Charge 6's IP rating applies to salt and chlorinated water, but users should thoroughly rinse and dry off the speaker after contact.

Just Okay

• Bass performancethe Charge 6 packs a heavy bass response.At loud volumes, the bass can cause the speaker to rumble, muddy the bass, and overpower the other frequencies.
• Distortion at high volumeAccording to JBL, this feature delivers maximum acoustics and decreases distortion.At loud volumes, the bass can cause the speaker to rumble, muddy the bass, and overpower the other frequencies.
• Frequency response balanceAt loud volumes, the bass can cause the speaker to rumble, muddy the bass, and overpower the other frequencies.

JBL Charge 6 review: JBL's got greatness playing on repeat | Tom's Guide

What We Loved

• App reliability"The JBL Portable app is easy to navigate"
• Bass performanceBig sound matched by monstrous bass"Bass is impactful right out of the box.""Turning it on will decrease sound quality; I noticed a huge dip in bass response."
• Battery life (if portable)+Lengthy playtimes"A full charge gives you up to 24 hours of battery life""Playtime Boost mode extends listening time to 28 hours."
• Bluetooth connection stabilityReliable operation
• Bluetooth range"Range extends to about 40 feet before stuttering."
• Build quality+Near-indestructible design"sturdy shell should assure you that it won’t break if the strap doesn’t hold up."
• Charging time"a 10-minute quick charge nets you 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of use."
• Control button responsiveness"Each button produces solid tactility and responds to intended commands."
• Detail retrieval"Instruments sound more distinctive"
• Drop resistance durability"IP68 certification keeps the speaker drop-, dust-, and waterproof up to 1.5 meters submersion for 30 minutes.""survive an accidental drop in the water."
• Dust resistance rating"IP68 certification keeps the speaker drop-, dust-, and waterproof up to 1.5 meters submersion for 30 minutes."
• EQ customization"Employing the customizable EQ or pre-engineered presets will either increase or decrease quality, depending on recordings."
• Frequency response balance"fantastic frequency range.""The default Signature gets you the most balanced sound."
• Handle or strap quality+Convenient carry handle"removeable handle strap.""The strap isn't the highest quality, but it’s dependable for transporting the Charge 6 from one location to another"
• Inter-speaker connectivity+Can pair up to 100 speakers with Auracast technology"You can pair two Charge 6 speakers together through Auracast for stereo sound or pair up to 100 Auracast-enabled JBL speakers at once."
• Loudness / maximum volume+Loud, powerful, energetic sound"One speaker is enough to fill an entire room with loud, engaging sound"
• Low-volume performance"The tinny hi-hats on Tupac’s “I Get Around” remain transparent over the prominent and punchy snares"
• Multi-speaker pairing reliabilityMulti-speaker pairing is nearly unlimited
• Power bank function"doubled as a power bank to juice up handheld devices and play music simultaneously.""Its built-in battery isn’t powerful enough for laptops."
• Smart features"is mostly effective.""Could benefit from more features"
• Soundstage width"connecting two or more speakers (up to 100) creates broader 360-degree sound."
• Treble clarity"transmit deep lows to your ears, along with crisp mids and highs."
• Value for moneyDespite those minor issues, though, the Charge 6 is an excellent value
• Voice clarity"Instruments sound more distinctive, and vocals have more depth."
• Water resistance rating"IP68 certification keeps the speaker drop-, dust-, and waterproof up to 1.5 meters submersion for 30 minutes."
• Wired input availability"The differences in clarity and depth are obvious when it's connected to a wired device."
• Wired input quality (AUX"lossless audio results in hi-fi bliss over USB-C connection."

Just Okay

• Bluetooth codec supportConnectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC and AAC
• Distortion at high volume"I thought the heavily emphasized low end would create mass distortion, but that wasn’t the case.""Energetic raises them higher, causing minor distortion at high volume."
• Weight convenience"it is heavier than most other handheld speakers like the Beats Pill (1.49 lbs.) and Sonos Roam 2 (0.93 lbs.). Luckily, it isn’t cumbersome to lug around, thanks to the removeable handle strap."

Needs Improvement

• Backwards compatibility-Not compatible with older JBL speakers that use Party Mode"The Charge 6 isn’t backwards compatible."
• Included accessories-No speakerphone, voice assistance or USB-C cable"Not having a USB-C cable bundled with the purchase is chintzy"
• Multipoint connectivity"multipoint technology is absent"
• Smart assistant integration (Alexa-No speakerphone, voice assistance or USB-C cable"does not come with voice assistance."
• Speakerphone quality-No speakerphone, voice assistance or USB-C cable

JBL Charge 6 Review: Loud, Rugged, and Ready to Hit the Road | PCMag

What We Loved

• Bass performanceoffers substantial bass even at low volumes.The speaker can’t quite hit the sub-bass notes on the track
• Battery life (if portable)The built-in 34-watt-hour battery can run the speaker for up to 24 hours
• Build qualityThe speaker feels rugged and durable
• Charging timeDepending on your charger, the speaker can replenish the battery in as few as 3 hours
• Detail retrievalrich, detailed, and punchy sound.the subtleties and ambiance of the track, like the mellow acoustic guitar and the faint rattle of the snare wires, still come through.
• Distortion at high volumeThe Charge 6 can blast out serious volume while maintaining clarity and balance.
• Drop resistance durabilityJBL says the speaker can survive drops from up to 3 feet.
• Dust resistance ratingIt's sealed against dust and water up to an IP68 level
• EQ customizationa customizable EQa few EQ presets and a seven-band custom EQ.
• Frequency response balanceexcellent balance
• Handle or strap qualityThe speaker adds a handle that loops through two slots on either side of the control cluster. This is a convenient and sturdy addition that adds to its portability.
• Inter-speaker connectivitya second Charge 6 can bring back those dynamics through stereo pairing.You also need the app for pairing multiple JBL speakers for stereo output.
• Loudness / maximum volumecan pump out plenty of volume with rich, detailed, and punchy sound.The Charge 6 can blast out serious volume while maintaining clarity and balance.
• Low-volume performanceoffers substantial bass even at low volumes.
• Power bank functionpower output (to charge other devices)
• Smart featuresSupports AuracastThe app has a toggle for Playtime Boost and access to Auracast.the app supports firmware updates.
• Treble clarityit’s clear and bright.the cymbal hits bite with clear transients that ring out
• USB-C chargingThe Charge 6 has a single USB-C connection on the back, which can handle charging
• Voice claritykeeps vocals loud and clear
• Water resistance ratingis fully waterproof.It's sealed against dust and water up to an IP68 level—an upgrade from the Charge 5’s IP67 rating—so it can be submerged in water at a depth of about 5 feet for up to 30 minutes.
• Weight convenienceweighing 3.0 pounds.a handsome and highly portable speaker
• Wired input availabilityLossless audio via USB-Cand lossless wired audio connections.
• Wired input quality (AUXLossless audio via USB-CThis wired connection is the only way to enjoy high-quality audio

Just Okay

• Value for moneyprovides a better value thanks to its impressive sound, built-in lighting effects, and lower costit's a superb choice

Needs Improvement

• Bluetooth codec supportLimited codec supportthe speaker only supports the basic AAC and SBC codecs over Bluetooth.
• Included accessoriesJBL doesn’t include a charging brick or USB cable in the package, which only includes the speaker and strap.
• Soundstage widthThe speaker's mono presentation means you lose the pleasing stereo effectsYou won't get subwoofer-level bass thump or the nuance of stereo speakers

JBL Charge 6 Review

What We Loved

• Bass performanceFantastic bassthis one especially excels when it comes to producing pronounced bass.
• Battery life (if portable)Get up to 24 hours of playtime per charge, and an extra four hours in a pinch using JBL Playtime Boost.You’ll get fantastic sound, great battery life
• Bluetooth codec supportlossless audio supportnow supports lossless audio playback.
• Bluetooth connection stabilityBluetooth 5.4 A2DPso you can expect a more stable connection.
• Build qualitythe addition of a flat bottom with rubber grips so it sits more firmly on a table or desk.a wider and flatter base, so it’s more stable when you set it down.
• Charging timeIt also has quick charge capabilities
• Detail retrievalevery emotional vocal, note, guitar string, and beat of the drum was reproduced as expected and desired.
• Drop resistance durabilitydrop-proof.it can withstand drops from as high as one meter onto even concrete floor.
• Dust resistance ratingThe speaker is IP68 water and dust resistant
• EQ customizationusing my own custom EQ setting in the JBL Portable appyou might have to play around with EQ setting to find the right balance for your earsthe Charge 6 includes access to four more EQ presets than the Charge 5 for a total of sevenan app that gives you the freedom to tweak sound to your liking based on your personal preferences.
• Handle or strap qualityIt comes with a handle strapthanks to the handlenow comes with the detachable handle
• Lighting effectsThe same exclamation point symbols on either side pulse along with the bass of your tunes
• Loudness / maximum volumePortable design with big soundtwo of these at $500 would do a pretty decent job for an average-sized basement or even backyard.
• Power bank functionyou can also use this portable speaker as a power bank to recharge your phone.you can use the port on the back to draw power to charge a connected device.
• USB-C chargingUSB-C port (cable not included)the Charge 6 includes a USB-C port while the Charge 5 had USB-A.
• Value for moneyAt $250, it’s an affordable and versatile speaker
• Voice claritythe vocals some clear and concise, beautifully reproduced
• Water resistance ratingThe speaker is IP68 water and dust resistantyou should be able to submerge this speaker in up to 1.5 metres of freshwater (not saltwater) for up to 30 minutes.

Just Okay

• Distortion at high volumeprovide “maximum acoustic performance with less distortion.”Turning on Playtime Boost, which is designed to reduce bass to conserve battery, the song became harsh at a high-volume level.
• Frequency response balancehad to make some adjustments to mid-range and treble to get the sound just rightFor this particular tune, the default JBL Signature EQ preset just didn’t fit.songs like Sabrina Carpenter’s pop hit “Manchild” better suited a setting like Chill or my custom setting.
• Inter-speaker connectivityYou can also connect multiple JBL speakers with Auracast, including other modelsbecause this speaker uses Auracast versus JBL’s PartyBoost, you can’t connect it with older-model options.This means you can’t link the two together.
• Weight convenienceSlightly too big to travel withIt’s portable but not quite as portable as that model, with more heft to it (it weighs 3 lbs. compared to the Flip 7’s 1.82 lbs.)this is still a small speaker that you can easily pop into a beach bag

Needs Improvement

• Included accessoriesDoesn’t come with a USB-C cableUSB-C port (cable not included),

JBL Charge 6 review: a beefier Bluetooth speaker that's excellent value | TechRadar

What We Loved

• App reliabilityIt’s a clean and stable app
• Bass performancebig and weightypunchy lower frequencieslonger if you don’t mind sacrificing some bass responsethat number rises to 28 hours in exchange for a rather obvious curtailing of low-frequency presence.
• Battery life (if portable)It will run for 24 hours from a single chargethat number rises to 28 hoursThe battery itself will run for around 24 hours
• Build qualitypredictably robust standard of build and finishcarefully designed and beautifully built portable speaker
• Control button responsivenessEach of the controls is reliable, and very positive in its action
• Detail retrievalit’s punchy and detailed in equal measureretrieves and reveals plenty of detailgains additional dynamism, insight and rhythmic positivity
• Drop resistance durabilitysturdy rubberization to protect the passive radiatorThose rubber end caps are now even more robust than before.
• Dust resistance ratingAn IP68 rating
• Dynamic headroomDynamic headroom increases
• EQ customizationcheck out a number of EQ presets or establish some of your own
• Frequency response balancefairly even frequency responseIts frequency response is fairly even; there’s a slight skew to the bottom end, sure, but it’s nothing fatal.
• Handle or strap qualitya very useful carry handlethere’s now a flexible, branded carry-handle that fits to the top of the speaker and means it’s more easily portable than before.
• Inter-speaker connectivityTwo JBL Charge 6 units can form a stereo pairit can connect to any Auracast-enabled speakers for as numerous a speaker system as you fancy.
• Loudness / maximum volumeCapable of impressive volumeCapable of significant volume
• Multipoint connectivitythe ability to pair two Bluetooth devices at a time is very welcome
• Power bank functioncan act as a charger for your smartphoneThe JBL will even act as a power bank
• Setup simplicityVery easy, with just the right amount of controls on the device, and a good app
• Soundstage widthdirect and expansive natureThe soundstage opens up yet further
• Treble claritythere’s crisp presence at the top end
• USB-C chargingthe JBL has a USB-C slot that can be used for data transfer as well as for charging its battery
• Value for moneyrepresents excellent value for moneyif you want big, high-quality sound for a great price, it's unbeatablefeels like a superb option for the price
• Water resistance ratingAn IP68 ratingThe IP rating has risen from a very acceptable IP67 to IP68 – which indicates the Charge 6 is virtually impregnable.
• Weight convenienceA great balance between big, beefy speaker power and actually being able to carry the thing everywhere.
• Wired input availabilitythe JBL has a USB-C slot that can be used for data transfer as well as for charging its batteryAux-in: No (USB-C audio passthrough)
• Wired input quality (AUXhi-res audio of up to 24bit/96kHz can be yours

Just Okay

• Bluetooth codec supportcompatible with SBC and AAC codecs (less good, but normal).
• Charging timeFrom ‘flat’ to ‘full’, by the way, takes a fairly leisurely three hours.

Needs Improvement

• Low-volume performanceSounds tepid at low volumesOnly lowering volume to ‘background’ levels can upset it – quite a lot of its direct and expansive nature goes astray when you try to listen quietly.The JBL is not especially tolerant of being treated as a ‘background listening’ device

JBL Charge 6 review: Did the best just get better? - SoundGuys

What We Loved

• Bass performanceStraight out of the box, the Charge 6 provides noticeably better bass strength than the Charge 5
• Build qualityWith its rugged buildJBL has beefed up the rubber bumpers that protect the passive radiators. They’re slightly thicker and longer, and there are now four of them compared to the three found on the Charge 5.a rugged, premium build
• Charging timea 10-minute charge will get you an additional 150 minutes of playback time.
• Drop resistance durabilitynow certifiably “drop-proof”, from the height of one meter, even onto concrete.
• Dust resistance ratingit’s still dust-proof
• EQ customizationone of its best new features: a 7-band customizable EQ.a considerable upgrade from the 3-band EQ available with the Charge 5
• Handle or strap qualitynow sports a detachable handle.use it as a traditional handle or as more of a carrying loop.
• Power bank functionso don’t worry, you can still charge your phone while out in the field!
• Smart featuresThis is also where you’ll find access to the new “Playtime Boost” feature and, of course, any future firmware updates.
• Status indicatorson their own dedicated, backlit control strip.
• USB-C chargingThat same USB-C port doubles as an in/out
• Value for moneyIt’s not the cheapest option out there, but you’re getting a rugged, premium build, impressive low-end for its size, and excellent battery life.
• Water resistance ratingThe Charge 6 is now IP68 ratedcan be submerged further in water, up to a meter and a half, for 30 minutes.
• Weight conveniencewithout going overboard in size and weight
• Wired input availabilitythe Charge 6 now offers audio over USB, and lossless audio at that.No, it’s not an AUX input
• Wired input quality (AUXlossless audio at that.

Just Okay

• Frequency response balanceit also sounds slightly darker.Playtime Boost adds four hours by cutting bass response and shifting the sound toward mids and treble, similar to a “Podcast” setting. It works in a pinch, but it doesn’t sound great.Playtime Boost feature kills sound quality
• Inter-speaker connectivityThe good news? The Charge 6 will easily link with any of those newer speakers.Auracast-enabled JBL speakers aren’t backwards compatible with any older models that still use Party Boost.you won’t be able to pair a Charge 6 with a Charge 5.
• Soundstage widtha low Immersiveness rating of 1.6.mono portable Bluetooth speaker
• Treble clarityit also sounds slightly darker.don’t quite have the same clarity I’m used to hearingThe reverberated piano tones during the intro lack their usual brilliance.Simply boosting the 4kHz slider improved the clarity

Needs Improvement

• Battery life (if portable)JBL claims the Charge 6 gets 28 hours of playbackUnder normal use, it advertises 24 hoursthe Charge 6 only lasted 13 hours and 15 minutes.it falls quite short of the claimed 24 hours.
• Distortion at high volumeIf you max out your bass and crank your volume to 11, your mix starts to fall apart fast, and you end up with a lot of harsh mid-range.

Best Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers 2025 - Forbes Vetted

What We Loved

• App reliabilityDiving into the software, I found the JBL app to be one of the easiest I tested.
• Battery life (if portable)The battery life can last up to 28 hours on a charge... Depending on how low the battery life is when you do plug in, you can expect it to take up to three hours to recharge.
• Drop resistance durabilityIts design feels nearly indestructible, and it’s rated IP68, so it offers both waterproofing and dustproofing in addition to the sturdy build.
• Dust resistance ratingIts design feels nearly indestructible, and it’s rated IP68, so it offers both waterproofing and dustproofing.
• Frequency response balanceThe software offers five EQS: JBL Signature, Chill, Energetic, Vocal and Custom. After testing, I personally recommend Energetic because it gave my music extra vibrancy.
• Handle or strap qualityThe speaker also offers a convenient removable carry handle that’s easy to use, and I found it easy to carry it both around my home and through my local park.
• Multi-speaker pairing reliabilityYou can also connect another JBL Charge 6 speaker to enjoy a more robust audio. One of the reasons the JBL Charge 6 doesn’t take the best overall pick spot is that while Bose speakers can connect to its siblings, the Charge 6 can’t connect to, say, the JBL Flip 6.
• Water resistance ratingIts design feels nearly indestructible, and it’s rated IP68, so it offers both waterproofing and dustproofing.