Portable Bluetooth speakers have hit a point where it’s less about innovation and more about refinement, and that’s exactly what the JBL Charge 6 delivers.
JBL has introduced a few upgrades here, like better water resistance, better battery life, Auracast support, and USB-C audio playback, none of which are groundbreaking new additions but nonetheless, are welcome ones that enhance its position as one of the best portable speakers on the market.
It still sounds big, it’s still incredibly durable, and it offers just enough new tricks to justify its place as JBL’s most well-rounded Charge speaker yet.
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What’s new in the JBL Charge 6?
Seeing as this is the sixth instalment in a long line of capable JBL portable speakers, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is what’s new with the Charge 6. At first glance, the changes aren’t massive, but there are some noteworthy upgrades here that should be mentioned.
First, you’re getting a bigger battery, the Charge 6 boasts a 24 hour battery which can bump up to 28 hours if you use the Playtime Boost mode. It now has an IP68 resistance rating meaning it's more durable, specifically when it comes to water exposure. It supports Bluetooth version 5.4 and it supports Auracast making it easier to link multiple JBL speakers together.
There’s also USB-C lossless audio support meaning you can plug in a device and play music at a higher bit rate, no need for Bluetooth, and the design is a little bit different.
None of these changes feel particularly game changing, it’s still a simple, yet capable portable speaker, but this time around it can just do a little bit more, which is always welcome.
Design
The Charge 6 looks familiar….mostly. No surprises here, JBL has kept the signature cylindrical form, wrapped in durable fabric. If you’ve seen a Charge speaker before, you’ll know what to expect.
There’s now a removable carry strap, which comes in the box, that can easily be put on and taken off, which is helpful for travel. The base is wider and more flat, preventing the speaker from rolling around, and the rubberised ends are reinforced for extra drop protection.
It’s now IP68 rated, which means it’s fully waterproof and dustproof. Compared to the previous IP67 rating, this allows for deeper and longer submersion in water, offering greater protection in wet conditions. And yes, it still floats.
The controls are practically the same, the playback and volume buttons are up top, along with a power button, Bluetooth pairing, and a new Auracast button to link multiple speakers.
It’s all very similar to what we’ve seen before but it’s still just as good as ever, why change a winning formula.
Audio
The Charge 6 houses a single racetrack-shaped 52 mm x 90 mm woofer and a 20 mm tweeter which brings a nice blend of punch and clarity. This thing can get impressively loud for its size.
Across the board the sound is decent, the low-frequencies hit with solid weight without overwhelming the rest of the mix, the mids are clear, vocals come through nicely, and the highs are crisp. It lends itself well to any genre of music and you can equalise the audio within the JBL Portable Speakers app to your personal tastes. It’s a 7-band EQ and I’m happy to say that you can actually hear the differences when using this. Push the bass all the way up and you’ll definitely be able to hear it, it’s great.
As mentioned, the Charge 6 can get loud, really loud. At the very highest volume, you do sometimes get harsh distortion, which isn’t ideal, but it’s much smoother than previous iterations. That’s mostly thanks to JBL’s AI Sound Boost technology, which keeps things sounding as good as possible by analysing and adjusting your music. It’s not perfect, but it certainly makes a difference.
The speaker also supports Auracast which is a great addition. Simply connect to the device via Bluetooth, press the button on the speaker and any other Auracast speaker and within seconds they will be synced, creating a surround sound type feel. It’s important to know that this is only compatible with other Auracast-enabled speakers though, so if you’re thinking of pairing the Charge 6 with the Charge 5 which uses PartyBoost instead, you won’t be able to do so. Which is a bit disappointing.
Features & Connectivity
The Charge 6 now supports USB-C digital audio playback. So you can plug it directly into a phone or laptop for wired listening without needing Bluetooth. To do this, you have to hold down the play/pause button, plug in the cable and you’ll hear a chime telling you it’s in USB audio mode.
Although it’s not something I’d use often it’s a nice feature for audiophiles because it provides lossless, uncompressed audio playback. Just be sure to use an app that supports Hi-Res music like Tidal or Apple Music. It’s also handy if you’re in a situation where Bluetooth doesn’t cut it.
The Bluetooth version has been bumped up to 5.4 for better range and efficiency, but codec support is still just SBC, no AAC or aptX here.
In regards to features it’s still quite basic, there’s no mic, so no speakerphone or voice assistant integration. But you do get LED battery indicators, and the app is clean and simple to use.
Battery
This is one of the Charge 6’s biggest wins. JBL promises up to 24 hours of playback, and it gets close depending on volume. You also get a new Playtime Boost mode that dials back the bass and extends battery life even more. But, it needs to be said, that Playtime Boost does quite severely impact the sound quality, so you might want to save that for desperate situations only.
Charging is faster now thanks to USB-C PD support, with the speaker charging fully in about 3 hours.
You can also use the Charge 6 as a power bank for your phone or other devices, which is great when you're out and about. It houses a 34Wh battery, enough to top up most smartphones at least once.
Verdict
JBL didn’t reinvent the Charge series with the 6, but they definitely refined it. Longer battery, better tuning, smarter features, and a more robust build all make it a clear upgrade.
It’s one of the best options out there for anyone looking for a tough, great-sounding, mid-sized speaker that can keep up with your lifestyle.
If you’re upgrading from the Charge 5, it might not be worth it, but anything older than that, the Charge 6 ticks all the right boxes.
