STEREO GUIDE verdict
The JBL Charge 6 surpasses its popular predecessor in all possible disciplines - in sound, battery life, outdoor suitability and functions. It offers more punch and expression in the sound as well as IP68 protection class plus Hi-Res audio playback via USB-C.
Pros
- Powerful sound with good punch
- Long battery life
- Waterproof & robust
- Powerbank function
Cons
- No analog input
- No hands-free microphone
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Tonal balance / transparency8
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Bass / Dynamics8
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Usability / Connectivity9
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Price/Performance8.8
The JBL Charge 6 follows in the footsteps of a strong predecessor. The Charge 5 which we reviewed a few years ago, is one of the most mature and popular products in the portable Bluetooth speaker segment. So it’s no wonder that JBL is giving the 6th generation in 2025 mainly evolutionary changes and not turning the concept on its head for the JBL Charge 6, which is available in seven colors (black, white, pink, red, blue, purple, squad).
Or, perhaps it is in the details. Although it weighs just under a kilogram, the Charge 6 can be carried with the included strap like a handle thanks to the small eyelets on the top of the housing. However, you can also attach the nylon strap with both ends to just one eyelet like a loop. Neither was possible with the predecessor. The battery life increased to a theoretically possible, enormous 28 hours in the dynamic-reduced “Playtime Boost Mode”, which adds another 4 hours of “free play” to the already impressive 24 hours with small reductions in punch and dynamics. The water and dust resistance is increased to an exemplary IP68 in the 6th generation.
JBL now also promises that the compact Bluetooth speaker can withstand drops from a height of up to one meter without any problems. (We didn’t necessarily want to crash test it with the borrowed test sample though). There are also a few connectivity and DSP improvements. These include the integration of Auracast wireless transmission, which is also supported by other manufacturers, as a more universal replacement for the previous party mode or the AI Sound Boost. Behind the catchy name is a real-time analysis of the audio signal being played, based on artificial intelligence, in order to exploit the possibilities of the oval Racetrack driver, which is particularly heavily loaded in the bass, to the limit with low distortion.
Good performance thanks to mono sound
There was nothing to improve on the acoustic concept: 2-way mono plus passive cones for the bass on both sides of the cabinet is simply the best choice for a compact party speaker for the beach, park or skate park. Like the Generation 5, the 6 separates the audible range into frequencies with a DSP crossover for the 5.3 x 9.3 cm bass-midrange and the 2 cm dome tweeter. 30 plus 15 watts of power according to RMS measurement are available for this, which represents a slight increase compared to its predecessor.
The oval bass-midrange driver makes the most of the space in the plastic housing, which is encased in robust mesh fabric. The tweeter is positioned next to it. The radiation with a balanced frequency response is concentrated on the angles in front of the horizontal roll, with slightly upward radiation. This is practical if the Charge 6 is placed on the floor or in the corner of the area to be covered, but less favorable for sound reinforcement in all directions.
For such a party, it is advisable to connect several JBLs together, which is possible here with Auracast-compatible models. The classic pairing of two speakers to form a stereo pair is also possible with the Auracast standard. However, the new Charge is no longer compatible with previous generations. When pairing to a stereo pair, however, this is ultimately irrelevant because you need two identical Bluetooth speakers anyway due to the sound tuning. In party mode, however, it is a certain drawback.
Practice and connections of the JBL Charge 6
Operation of the standard functions was intuitive using the rubberized buttons on the top of the housing. Playback is via Bluetooth 5.4 for perfect transmission reliability. Although there is no optional analog or network access, the USB-C accepts uncompressed digital signals from compatible smart devices and registers as a sound card or sound output. We already know this innovation from the JBL Flip 7, where you first had to find the connection trick. This helped immensely when setting up a USB-C connection to the Charge 6.
For example, if you connect your iPhone 16 Pro to the Bluetooth box via a USB-C cable, you will only notice that your smartphone is being charged. The power bank function gave the series its name, which refers to the practical charging function. However, the Charge 6 cannot yet be used as a USB sound source. This is only possible if you hold down the play button on the speaker when plugging in the USB cable until a short tone sounds. It is then available to output Hi-Res audio with a maximum resolution of 24 bit/192 kHz. However, the app is then no longer available. It only works in conjunction with Bluetooth playback.
What you can do with the JBL Portable App
The JBL Charge 6 supports the JBL Portable app for iOS and Android. The app not only stood out with its fast, uncomplicated connection to the medium-sized Bluetooth speaker. It also completed the software update in record time. It is intuitive to use and the functions are limited to a few useful features such as the 7-band equalizer with sound presets (“JBL Signature”, “Chill”, “Energetic”, “Vocal” and “Custom”) or the Playtime Boost. This runtime extension did not convince us with the two small JBL speakers, the Clip 5 and the Go 4. It noticeably reduced the already not exactly abundant bass of the minis in order to save energy. With the Flip 7 , the pressure loss in the bass was kept within acceptable limits in the test. With the Charge 6, you have to listen very carefully to register the marginal hint of fullness. The promised extra battery life of up to 4 hours is a fair deal.
Sound test: This is what the most successful party reel sounds like
I didn’t have a JBL Charge from the last generation to compare them with. But I can’t remember its predecessor sounding anywhere near as rich and clean in the bass. The overall dynamics of the medium-sized Bluetooth speaker, the attack and the timing are really excellent for this size class. And they are a perfect match for acoustic rock music with real drums as well as electronic drum sounds. The voices sound clear and powerful and blend in very well with the overall sound. In addition, there are trebles that bring out the cymbals or electronic sound effects in a fresh way.
The AI thing is obviously not just a marketing promise. For a speaker of this compact size, the JBL Charge 6 can play remarkably loud while remaining low-distortion and balanced. You have to turn it up very high with very bass-heavy material for the DSP to intervene to protect the woofer and limit the bass, as is usually the case with Bluetooth speakers.
Compact, but full of punch
JBL has done a really good job with the tuning. There’s just something about it that’s so catchy, perfectly conveying the rhythm of the music and filling it with life. From our test report published yesterday, the Bose SoundLink Plus was still available for comparison. However, the Bose costs quite a bit more and is also slightly larger than the Charge. Nevertheless, the Charge 6 was able to keep up very well in terms of power handling and punch. With electronic beats, the small dynamic wonder was even able to make more of an impression than the larger Bose. The latter’s time had come when it came to acoustic drums, where it was able to demonstrate its greater ability to differentiate. It also scored points whenever it wasn’t just a matter of flashing high-frequency impulses. It delivered overtones in a more differentiated way with fine resolution and also offered more transparency in the mid-range.
The Charge 6 seemed to model voices out of the thicket of sound and place them powerfully in the foreground. This worked to a certain extent with rock, pop or dance tracks. But with live recordings, the Bose conveyed more of a sense of the environment in which the vocals or the audience were located. It also benefited from the fact that it created a larger sound stage that was more detached from the speaker. In contrast, the JBL sounded incredibly dynamic, but also more compact and not as airy. For fans of pop or hip-hop, however, the JBL offers a very successful performance with a coherent boogie factor at a significantly lower price.
Test results and alternatives to the JBL Charge 6
The JBL Charge 6 has obviously made significant progress in various disciplines compared to its predecessor. It thus maintains its chances of remaining the most successful product in this category. Which raises the question: spend a lot of money on the new one or save a whopping 50 euros by buying its predecessor, the JBL Charge 5? Honestly, if you have the money to spare, I would definitely recommend the new one.
The Charge 6 simply sounds richer and more coherent. It also lasts much longer, even without Playtime Boost, and is better protected against water and dust all round, which is also important for outdoor use. And I find the carrying strap or carrying loop really practical for transportation and hanging on a hook. The fact that the 6th generation Charge is also capable of USB playback shouldn’t be so important for those looking for a Bluetooth speaker for outdoors. But at home, at the computer, the Hi-Res audio with 24 bit/192 kHz via cable connection proves to be practical, especially as you can charge the speaker at the same time.
So, if your budget is limited, I would save money and go for the Tronsmart Mirtune S100, which is available for less than 100 euros. Apart from the comparatively powerful sound, it doesn’t sound quite as polished as the JBL. On the other hand, it offers extras such as an LED light organ, microphone for phone calls, Siri and Google Assistant as well as a slot for music playback from microSD cards in addition to the familiar JBL functions.
Technical specifications: JBL Charge 6
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: 200 Euro
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 22.8 x 9.9 x 9.4 cm
- Weight: 990 g
- Battery life up to 28 hours with Playtime Boost, 24 without, 10 min. charging time for 150 minutes of playback
- Special features: waterproof and dustproof in accordance with protection class IP68, USB-C input, app operation, Auracast coupling, power bank function, carrying strap, USB cable not included)
- More at: jbl.com
