I've tested JBL's new Charge 6 and it could be 2025's best rugged speaker

During the warmer months, one of the best Bluetooth speakers is an essential piece of equipment. Park trips, beach days, garden barbecues, and parties are all made better with some background music.

However, the last thing you want is to worry about a sudden downpour ruining the fun and damaging the device – especially in the UK, where a turn in the weather is always pretty likely.

Luckily, JBL’s Charge speaker series is designed for all weather conditions. Back in 2022, I tested the JBL Charge 5 and was impressed. Its sturdy construction and waterproof design, alongside powerful sound and long-lasting battery life, made it incredibly appealing.

New for 2025, the JBL Charge 6 upgrade introduces innovative AI features, enhances the speaker's durability, and includes a new subwoofer. I've been trying it out over the last couple of weeks – and here's what I think about this impressive portable Bluetoth speaker.

How much does the JBL Charge 6 cost?

Out now, the JBL Charge 6 costs £170 in the UK, $199 in the US, and AU$199 in Australia – whether direct from the JBL online store or popular retailers like Amazon.

JBL has generally upped the price from the previous model, the JBL Charge 5, which cost £160/$180/AU$199 at launch – but, considering inflation, it's not wildly different.

What is the difference between JBL Charge 5 and Charge 6?

The JBL Charge 6 makes a few improvements to the Charge 5.

Firstly, the design has been adjusted, relocating the playback controls into a central block spanning two rows instead of a single line at the top.

You'll find two clips to attach the included carrying strap, whereas the JBL Charge 5 didn't have a handle at all.

There’s a new design for the grips on the underside too, now long rubber feet rather than diagonal lines, making the speaker more stable on a tabletop.

It is also more durable than ever, thanks to an upgraded IP68 rating, meaning it is more waterproof and dustproof than before.

For the first time, you’ll be able to play wired high-resolution lossless audio through the USB-C port on the back of the JBL Charge 6.

Like JBL's other recent speaker releases, it comes equipped with AI Sound Boost, which analyses the track and optimises the sound, so there’s no distortion when you dial up the volume.

Together with the upgraded subwoofer, it bodes well for improvements to the sound quality.

In addition, this latest model has Auracast, which enables it to be hooked up to other compatible speakers for even bigger sound. It replaces PartyBoost on the Charge 5, giving it wider compatibility and future-proofing.

Battery life has improved too, from 20 hours on the Charge 5, to 24 hours on the Charge 6. And that can be further extended using PlayTime Boost, which takes it to around 28 hours of music playback.

Is the JBL Charge 6 waterproof?

The JBL Charge 6 is an attractive speaker that can withstand the elements. The mesh speaker grille encircles the entire cylindrical body of the device. There are rubber bumpers on either end to protect it from knocks and two rubber feet across the bottom to keep it stable on flat surfaces.

It has an IP68 water and dustproof rating, so it can handle everything from heavy rain to dirty campsites. Additionally, JBL claims it’s drop-proof, so if it falls from up to one metre onto concrete, it won’t break.

This speaker is powerful enough to deliver great sound, yet compact enough to carry comfortably. At 1.37kg, it won’t weigh you down, and it even fits into a backpack. To further improve its portability, there are two hooks on the top edge to attach the carrying strap included in the box.

You can buy the JBL Charge 6 in several colours, including red, purple, camo, black, pink, white and the blue model I tested out. A lot of the speaker grille – which apes the colour of purchase – is made from post-consumer recycled plastics, and all the fabric used is recycled.

The playback controls are neatly arranged in a block at the top of the device. Three of the buttons are backlit: the power button, the Bluetooth button, and the Auracast button. The pause/play button and volume controls are integrated into the design as simple outlines of the symbols.

Across the front, there’s a big JBL logo and an LED light strip that displays the battery level when you turn the device on.

To charge it, there’s a USB-C port on the back, and you can use that to play high-quality lossless audio through a wired connection to your devices.

How long does the JBL Charge 6 battery last?

The battery life on the JBL Charge 6 lasts 24 hours of music, but with Playtime Boost, that’s extended to a huge 28 hours. This feature needs to be toggled on in the adjoining JBL Portable smartphone app.

However, it’s worth knowing that Playtime Boost does does have an impact on the sound quality, as it tweaks the equaliser (EQ) to allow for a longer listening time. Still, that's a lot better than having no music at all!

Using the USB-C port on the back of the speaker, it’ll take about 3 hours for a full charge. It doubles-up as a portable power banl, meaning you can use that same port for plugging in your other devices, such as your phone, if they run out of juice.

Is the JBL Charge 6 louder than the 5?

A new subwoofer promises a deeper bass performance than from the Charge 5. Alongside that, the AI Sound Boost analyses and optimises the audio so it doesn’t suffer from distortion as you crank up the volume, allowing for more clarity and power.

The result? An audio performance that is both dynamic and energetic while maintaining plenty of detail, and that can go really loud without making sacrifices.

Listening to Glory Box by Portishead, the speaker does a great job at portraying the layers of instruments and balancing it perfectly with the vocal performance.

Meanwhile, the weighty bassline in Open Page by Lenzman is given all the space it needs to be the focus of the song, but you’ll still hear its melodic backing loud and clear.

Podcasts come across equally well, because the sound carries nicely at high volumes without becoming shrill. I listened to a couple of shows while I bustled around the house and could hear the words perfectly over background noise.

Through the JBL Portable app, you can create your own custom sound settings on a detailed seven-band EQ or pick from several preset sound modes, including Chill, Energetic or Vocal. I was pleased with the JBL Signature Sound mode for most types of listening, though.

The sound is big enough to fill a room as it is, but if you do want more from it, the Auracast connectivity allows you to hook the Charge 6 up to other compatible speakers in stereo. All of JBL’s latest devices come with Auracast.

A significant advantage of buying the Charge 6 over many other portable speakers is the fact that you can play wired lossless music through the USB-C port on the back. It's worth making use of if you're signed up to compatible music streaming services like Tidal.

JBL Charge 6 review: Verdict

Most portable speaker upgrades make subtle tweaks, rarely making huge changes to anything else. But JBL has gone against the grain and overhauled the Charge 5 with new features that make it miles better than its predecessor, while maintaining what made it so good in the first place.

AI Sound Boost is the headline feature, delivering on its promises of a powerful performance with plenty of detail. To add to that, the extended battery life means you can use it over a few days without needing to plug it in, and the extra durability from the enhanced IP rating and drop protection makes it extra convincing.

If you're shopping for a sturdy speaker with top-tier audio, you'll get everything you need and more from the JBL Charge 6.

Also consider

If you’re looking for something slightly smaller, the Bose Soundlink Flex 2 is a great alternative to the JBL Charge 6, with impressively clean sound and a durable water-resistant build quality. But its more compact design does come with downsides – the battery life is a lot less, for example, at 12 hours.

Bose also offers the Soundlink Max speaker if you want big sound and are not concerned about the size. Like the Flex, it’s sturdy and water resistant, but it’s got more of a focus on bass performance, so it’s great for parties, and it lasts for up to 20 hours of playback.