#Jbl charge 5 vs jbl charge 4 upgrade#
#Jbl charge 5 vs jbl charge 4 portable#

Also, using either speaker just a bit each day, you may be able to go for a couple of weeks without recharging. Both the JBL Charge 4 and 5 offer an excellent (excessive, even) 20-hour battery life with a 7500mAh battery, and, as with other JBL speakers, reviewers and users generally report that the battery life estimate that is marketed is pretty accurate, though your results will vary depending on play volume and conditions.The JBL Charge 5 and Charge 4 do not support AAC or AptX, but these supposed improvements are not apparent to most listeners on most speakers in any case.These two JBL systems are not intercompatible, so you cannot, for example, connect simultaneously one JBL Charge 4 with one JBL Charge 5. The Charge 4 connects with any (older model) JBL speaker that features “Connect +” and the Charge 5 connects with the (more recent) JBL speakers that feature “PartyBoost”. If you buy two JBL Charge 4s OR buy two JBL Charge 5s, you can pair them together with the app to get true left and right stereo, or in mono mode if your goal is simply to boost the volume and spread of the sound.We think it’s a nice and sometimes-useful feature, though likely most people don’t need it since any modern computer, tablet, or phone will be able to connect with the JBL Charge 4 or 5 via Bluetooth. The JBL Charge 4 has a mini 3.5mm input jack (the same you see for most headphone connections) so that you can connect legacy music devices that do not use Bluetooth, like an old iPod or other MP3 player.So while the JBL Charge 5 could be expected to stand up slightly better to real-world use and abuse, the durability and life expectancy of the the two speakers is nearly the same. The JBL Charge 5 is rated IP67 waterproof, which is a slightly better rating meaning that it can also withstand dust (in addition to being fine under a meter of water for 30 minutes). The JBL Charge 4 is IPX7 waterproof, meaning it can withstand submersion under a meter of water for 30 minutes, and should be fine therefore if used in the shower or near water.You’ll want to use these speakers horizontally in any case for best sound. While the Charge 4 and Charge 5 have nearly the same size, weight, and form, you’ll notice an even more screamingly large JBL logo on the Charge 5, and that the sides are tapered in somewhat to make it a slightly trapezoidal cylindrical shape, which means that the Charge 5 leans ominously if placed vertically.The JBL Charge 5 continues in this tradition, and is a rather minor upgrade, particularly in terms of features.

#Jbl charge 5 vs jbl charge 4 portable#

The focus for the Charge speakers is on great, loud, bass-forward sound in a very portable and durable package. JBL’s Charge line of speakers has always been about as big and heavy as a bottle of wine, and with a semi-cylindrical shape meant to be placed on its side on its own rubber footing. The JBL Charge 4 was already a rather recent and very full-featured speaker with USB-C charging we’d noted the Charge as the rugged speaker with big sound compared to its JBL siblings the Pulse 4 and Flip 5.

#Jbl charge 5 vs jbl charge 4 upgrade#

The (Small) Feature Differences in This Upgrade Yes connect multiple JBL PartyBoost speakers (not compatible with JBL Connect or Connect+) for bigger sound or stereoĬompletely waterproof and dustproof (IP67) Yes connect multiple JBL Connect + speakers (not compatible with JBL Connect nor PartyBoost) for bigger sound or stereo

One-light battery indicator dims as battery gets weaker.

You can charge a phone or other device off of the speaker's battery.

Charges via USB-C cable (included), but you need a (quite handy) wall outlet to USB-C converter like this if you don't have one).

A mini 3.5mm (typical headphone) stereo input for playing music from older devices.Charges via USB-C cable (USB-A to USB-C cable included, but you need a (quite handy) wall outlet to USB-C converter like this if you don't have one).One USB-A output for charging other devices.

Available in 5 solid colors as well as camouflage.

Available in 10 solid colors as well as two types of camouflage.

PartyBoost+ button for pairing with compatible speakers.

Connect+ button for pairing with compatible speakers.

The newer JBL Charge 5 nearly the same size and improves just slightly in terms of sound and top volume play, the low end sounds a bit crisper and the added tweeter brings more clarity and emphasis to the high end at this particular size, with its water- and dust-proofing, external-device charging capability, and its balanced, powerful delivery, it's currently the best-sounding speaker with this feature set and price The JBL Charge 4 is a horizontal wine-bottle sized speaker that goes extremely loud while still maintaining an even mix it offers quite a bit of clarity and bass depth