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

It’s no secret the JBL Charge 5 has been a go-to Bluetooth speaker for the past four years. With the Charge 6 promising even better sound, longer battery life, and more ways to connect, can JBL pull it off again? Let’s take it outside, crank up the volume, and find out in this JBL Charge 6 review.

What’s it like to use the JBL Charge 6?

The Charge 6 is rocking a bit of a new look when compared to the Charge 5. Most notably, it now comes with a detachable handle. You can configure it in two different ways: use it as a traditional handle or as more of a carrying loop. The bottom of the unit also looks a little different; JBL has ditched the ten thin silicone strips, which some users had issues with peeling off over time, in favor of a slightly wider and flatter base. As someone who’s had their Charge 5 roll off a camp table more than a couple of times, I’m a fan of this new, more stable design.

Speaking of rolling off a table, there have been some notable durability upgrades with this latest model. It’s still wrapped in the same durable fabric, but looking at the side of the unit, JBL 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. This isn’t just for looks; the Charge 6 is now certifiably “drop-proof”, from the height of one meter, even onto concrete. Additionally, we see an improvement in water resistance. The Charge 6 is now IP68 rated, meaning it’s still dust-proof but can be submerged further in water, up to a meter and a half, for 30 minutes.

Lastly, the control layout has also changed. The Party Boost button is long gone and replaced with an Auracast button. This new button sits alongside the power and Bluetooth buttons on their own dedicated, backlit control strip. It’s not a huge surprise—we saw the same thing happen to the Xtreme 4, Go 4, and Clip 5 last year. The good news? The Charge 6 will easily link with any of those newer speakers. The bad news? Auracast-enabled JBL speakers aren’t backwards compatible with any older models that still use Party Boost. In other words, you won’t be able to pair a Charge 6 with a Charge 5.

What are the best features of the JBL Charge 6?

I absolutely recommend downloading and installing the JBL Portable app for the Charge 6 because it contains one of its best new features: a 7-band customizable EQ. This is a considerable upgrade from the 3-band EQ available with the Charge 5, meaning you can personalize the sound of this speaker much further. You’re also offered an additional four presets to choose from, but I can’t say I share the same excitement for a “Chill” or “Energetic” EQ preset. Given the option, I always prefer to make my own.

Additionally, the app gives you visual control over any Auracast-linked speakers under its “Party Together” section and lets you pair another Charge 6 for stereo performance. This is also where you’ll find access to the new “Playtime Boost” feature and, of course, any future firmware updates.

How does the JBL Charge 6 connect?

The Charge 6 connects to your device wirelessly via the latest and greatest Bluetooth 5.4, an upgrade from the Charge 5’s Bluetooth 5.1 connection. In addition, there’s a new wired option. No, it’s not an AUX input, but the Charge 6 now offers audio over USB, and lossless audio at that. Naturally, you’ll need to using a service that provides lossless audio, like Tidal or Apple Music, but for those of you wanting higher bit rate listening options out of your mono portable Bluetooth speaker, there you have it.

To listen over a wired connection, simply hold down the Play/Pause button while connecting your USB-C cable to the device. You will hear a chime when successful. Of course, we can’t forget how the Charge series got its name. That same USB-C port doubles as an in/out, so don’t worry, you can still charge your phone while out in the field!

How long does the JBL Charge 6’s battery last?

The Charge 6 advertises a whopping 28 hours of playback time off a single charge. However, there is a bit of a catch. JBL states that 24 of those hours are under normal operation (aka listening at a reasonable volume without your bass cranked), but you’ll need to activate its new “Playtime Boost” feature to squeeze out those last four hours.

So, here’s the deal with “Playtime Boost”. Getting an extra four hours of playback time sounds fantastic on paper, but it’s essentially an EQ preset that nerfs your bass response, so your speaker doesn’t have to work too hard, effectively allowing your battery to last longer. You’re left with a sound that’s heavy on the mid-range and treble, similar to a “Podcast” EQ setting. It’ll get you out of a pinch, but it doesn’t sound great. If you’re worried about committing a serious party foul and letting your speaker die, keep a portable battery on hand.

Still, 24 hours of battery life isn’t something to overlook. That’s 4 hours more than the 20-hour battery life of the Charge 5.

How does the JBL Charge 6 sound?

The JBL Charge 6 offers decent sound for its size with a good amount of low-end strength, which you can modify further.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the JBL Charge 6 was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

The Charge 6 earns a solid Timbre score of 3.1 and a decent 3.3 for Distortion, but its Overall score drops to 2.7 due to a low Immersiveness rating of 1.6. This isn’t too surprising; MDAQS is primarily designed to assess stereo performance, so mono speakers like the Charge 6 naturally face some scoring limitations. Take these scores with a grain of salt.

These results are pretty typical for Bluetooth speakers. For comparison, the Bose SoundLink Max scored a similar 2.7 Overall, but thanks to its stereo output, it pulled a higher Immersiveness score of 2.6.

Should you buy the JBL Charge 6?

If you already own a Charge 5 and are happy with it, there’s no need to rush out and upgrade. But if you’re in the market for a Bluetooth speaker that can offer a little more than most portable speakers without going overboard in size and weight, the Charge 6 is a great buy. It’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. Plus, with customizable sound and upgraded durability, you’ll be rocking out to your favorite tunes for years to come.

What should you get instead of the JBL Charge 6?

If the Charge 6 is slightly too big for your needs, consider its smaller sibling, the JBL Flip 7, which was also just released with some new slick updates. It shares many of the same features of the Charge 6, like an IP68 protection rating, audio over USB, and a couple of carrying attachment options, but in a slightly smaller package. However, there is a significant difference in battery life; the Flip 7 only offers up to 16 hours off a single charge, while the Charge 6 offers up to 28 hours. Snag a new Flip 7 for $149 at Amazon.

Alternatively, the Beats Pill (2024 version) is also worth a look. I’m not normally one to recommend Beats products, but I can’t deny its impressive bass response. It’s IP67 rated for protection from the elements and features an angled, slightly upward firing design. The Beats Pill also offers lossless audio over USB-C if that’s your thing. Find one for $149.99 at Amazon.

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