JBL Charge 5 vs Bose SoundLink Flex
Head-to-head comparison based on trust scores, features, pricing, and real user feedback.
Our pick: JBL Charge 5 (Trust Score 9.2 vs 9.0)
9.2
Excellent
Best Overall
Pros
- +IP67 rating survives submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- +Built-in USB-C power bank charges your phone in an emergency
- +20-hour battery handles a full day of outdoor use
Cons
- −No built-in speakerphone for calls
- −Bass-heavy tuning may overwhelm treble for classical or acoustic listeners
Don't buy if
- ⚠ Charging port cover must be fully sealed before water exposure — partial closure can allow water ingress
9.0
Excellent
Best Sound Quality
Pros
- +PositionIQ automatically tunes audio to vertical or horizontal orientation
- +Bose's balanced sound avoids the bass-heavy overtuning of competitors
- +IP67 rating floats face-up in water for easy retrieval
Cons
- −12-hour battery is shorter than JBL Charge 5 at similar price
- −No phone charging output unlike JBL
Don't buy if
- ⚠ Bose proprietary charger was used on older models — confirm the current version uses USB-C before assuming compatibility