There is no doubt that JBL is one of the great references in the sound technology segment, and any of its products enjoys significant quality, innovation and versatility. But what are the differences between two speakers from the same series? We checked it out by analysing two of the brand’s best sellers: JBL Charge 5 Vs Charge 4. We’ve already told you that there are more differences than you might think at first. Do you want to see what they are? Don’t miss out on the details!
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JBL Charge 5 Vs Charge 4: Keys to choose the best wireless speaker
Whether you already have the Charge 4 and don’t know whether to upgrade to the new model, or if you are considering which of the two is worth buying, we advise you to read carefully the differences and similarities between the two models:
JBL Charge 5 Vs Charge 4: Most striking similarities
Although they are two speakers from the same brand and the same range, they do not share many similarities. It should be noted that we speak of similarities when we refer to the aspects in which we do not find any difference, or when it is minimal:
Colours you can choose from
If you prefer to choose the colour of the device you are going to buy, both the JBL Charge 5 and Charge 4 offer a wide range of colours. They are not the same colours, but in both cases you have a wide range to choose from.
Battery life
According to the brand’s specifications, both devices can run for about 20 hours without needing to be recharged. If you need to recharge them, it will take about 4 hours. In addition, either device can be used to recharge your smartphone while it is working, although this will reduce the battery life.
Price
We know it’s hard to believe, because it’s not usual for a new model to have the same price as an old one, but in this case, that’s the case. The two speakers move in a very similar price range which, depending on the economic offers in force at any given moment or the availability of stock, may vary.
What are the advantages of the JBL Charge 5?
Let’s start to unveil all the aspects in which JBL has implemented changes. We start with the aspects in which the JBL Charge 5 excels over its rival:
Water resistant, and dust resistant?
If you want to buy a wireless speaker to take with you to the swimming pool, the two protagonists of our review are equally valid, as they have the same water resistance. However, it’s a different story if you’re taking it to the beach, for example:
- The JBL Charge 4 has an IPX7 protection rating, which means it is waterproof but not dustproof.
- The JBL Charge 5, on the other hand, is rated IP67, so we can tell that, while it has better water resistance, it still works even if small specks of dust get in.
Sound power
To be honest, either has good sound quality, although the JBL Connect 5 is slightly superior.
If you look at the specifications, they have a power output of 40 watts, compared to the 30 watts that the JBL Charge 4 achieves. In addition, the 5 model has two more drivers than the 4, which makes the sound less distorted in open spaces and provides more bass quality.
Connection with other JBL speakers
This is one of the new features that the JBL Charge 5 has incorporated over its rival that could tip the balance in favour of this model.
This is the Party Boost function, with which you can connect two speakers to double the stereo sound, or even more than two if you want to replicate the sound at a massive party, with a connection range of more than 70 metres.
The JBL Charge 4, meanwhile, has JBL Connect+, a feature that allows you to connect multiple speakers, but has a maximum connection radius of 36 metres.
Bluetooth synchronisation
Another area of difference is the compatibility of the speakers with Bluetooth devices. The JBL Charge 5 is compatible with version 5.1, while the Charge 4 tolerates a lower version, 4.2.
On which criteria does the JBL Charge 4 stand out?
Having seen the similarities and the aspects in which the JBL Charge 5 outperforms the Charge 4, we might think that there is no feature in which the JBL Charge 4 is better, but this is not the case:
It is slightly smaller
We are aware that we have been rather picky in this respect, as the difference in dimensions is minimal. However, the JBL Charge 5 is larger than the JBL Charge 4.
We can’t forget that we are dealing with two portable speakers, and we always prefer the smaller option for easier portability.
Also, the design changes slightly. They keep the mesh cover, but the rubber caps of the JBL Charge 5 protrude outwards more, unlike those of the JBL Charge 4 which are less thick.
Includes an additional auxiliary input
The JBL Charge 4 features an auxiliary input to which a 3.5 millimetre audio cable can be connected. For example, to connect an MP3 player or a DVD player.
The JBL Charge 5, on the other hand, eliminates this input and lacks it, something that surprises us, to be honest. Although it is not a major feature, it may be a handicap for some users who can no longer connect certain devices that they could before.
JBL Charge 5 vs Charge 4: conclusion and verdict
As you can see, either of the two is very valid to meet your needs, as the differences between the two models are minimal. However, if we had to choose between the two, we would go for the JBL Charge 5.
Actually, the most significant difference is the PartyBoost functionality of the JBL Charge 5, but it’s not a major structural issue that compromises sound quality. Also, the JBL Charge 5 performs better at reproducing bass sounds, but this is a difficult difference to perceive.
On the other hand, it is more dust resistant than its smaller sibling, which is something to consider if you’re taking it to places like the beach.
Do you like the JBL Charge 4 better? If you prefer to base your decision on subjective aspects, such as design, because you think they are functionally equal, this is one of the few cases in which you can do so without sacrificing functional quality.
In short, if you don’t have either of the two speakers and you’re not sure which one to buy, we recommend you opt for the JBL Charge 5. But if you already have the JBL Charge 4 and you don’t know whether to upgrade and change to the new model, it’s not worth it because of the few functionalities you’ll gain.
Amazon: the best-selling JBL speakers
We finish by showing you the ranking of the most popular JBL wireless speakers among Amazon users, in case it helps you to choose between the two:
[amazon bestseller = “JBL wireless speaker” items = “5”]