JBL Grip: two-minute review

The JBL Grip is a new entrant into the audio giant’s Bluetooth speaker lineup, sitting between the Clip and Flip lines. It has a seltzer-can-inspired look, attractive ambient lighting, and a highly durable exterior. Yes, it really has all the key design elements covered. But does the Grip sound any good? I tested it for two weeks to find out.

I’ve got to say, the JBL Grip is a pretty solid sounding speaker overall. Of course, it’s a pretty small model, so there are some limitations in terms of bass response, and when volume is pushed up high, music can sound pretty one-dimensional. But still, you’ll get clear, well-balanced, and decently punchy sound from this small cylindrical model.

Arguably the best thing about the JBL Grip, however, is its brilliant all-round design. I’m a big fan of its can-sized dimensions, and when you combine that with its textured exterior, it's both satisfying and easy to… well, grip. Like a lot of the best Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Grip is also dust and waterproof thanks to its IP68 protection against the elements, making it ideal for shower or beachside listening.

It’s also a real beauty, with the speaker coming in an appealing range of colors. I tried out the purple model, but there’s also pink, red, blue… you name it! An ambient lighting panel on the reverse side of the speaker is also very easy on the eye, though I do wish there was a light mode that synced to the speaker’s output for more immersive listening – something I’ve seen on speakers like the Marshall Bromley 750.

The lights on the JBL Grip are customizable via the JBL Portable app, which opens up a range of other options too. There’s PlayTime Boost if you want to get an extra couple hours of playtime, stereo group if you want to use two Grip speakers in stereo mode, and a range of EQ options, including a custom option.

On top of that, the JBL Grip supports Auracast, meaning you can link a bunch of compatible JBL speakers up to it for additional loudness and coverage.

At $99.95 / £89.99 / AU$129, the Grip isn’t exactly cheap for what it is, though it's hardly unfathomably expensive either. For me, I think its marginally larger sibling, the JBL Flip 7 just feels like a better value buy. It offers considerably better sound, with regimented, pumping bass and full-bodied, detailed sound. But it’s also got better battery life and the same durability – with only a slight increase in size and price.

Overall, though, I still think that the Grip is a neat addition to JBL’s vast lineup of Bluetooth speakers. If you’re digging its hand-held design and you want a sub-$100 option with personality, it’s one of the best models available to you right now – and you should totally get a Grip (thank you, I'm here all week). But if you’ve got a little more money to play with, I’d still recommend going for the Flip 7, which is an exemplary Bluetooth speaker.

JBL Grip review: price and release date

• $99.95 / £89.99 / AU$129
• Launched in September 2025

The JBL Grip was launched in September 2025, and is the very first speaker in its line. It’s priced at a mid-point between the Clip 5 and Flip 7, and will typically cost $99.95 / £89.99 / AU$129. You can purchase this speaker in a range of colors too, including: Black; Blue; Pink; Purple; Red; Squad (camo); and White.

JBL Grip review: specs

JBL Grip review: features

• Customizable lighting
• Multiple EQ options in JBL Portable app
• Commendable 14 hour battery life

The JBL Grip is equipped with just about everything you could want from a small Bluetooth speaker. And if you download the JBL Portable app, you get access to a whole lot of customization options.

For instance, the app features light adjustment, which lets you select from the following effects: freeze; bounce; trim; switch; and neon. You can also select from a small pool of colors and adjust brightness to get the precise look you want. It would be nice if there was a slight effect that synced to your music, but I still like the degree of personalization available here.

Another thing you can tailor to your taste is EQ. There are a handful of presets to choose from, like JBL Signature, Chill, and energetic. However, you can also create your own sound with the custom seven-band equalizer. This works nicely and I did stick with a custom tuning for a considerable chunk of my time with the speaker.

There’s even more to discover, though, like stereo pairing if you’ve got a second Grip, and Auracast connectivity, which enables you to link a load of compatible speakers for increased volume – models like the JBL Xtreme 4 and JBL Charge 6 support this.

Before we tie things up, a quick word on battery life. Technically, you can get up to 14 hours of playtime from this model, but that’s with volume low, minimal lighting, and use of the PlayTime Boost function – an option that essentially reduces sound quality for two additional hours of listening.

Usually, you’ll get up to 12 hours of listening, which is pretty solid for a model of this stature. You can fully recharge it in 3 hours too.

All in all, the Grip has just about every base covered. Sure, it doesn’t have an integrated mic for clear, hands-free calling – something you’ll find on a rival like the Edifier ES20. But still, there’s plenty of functionality to sink your teeth into.

• Features score: 4.5/5

JBL Grip review: sound quality

• Clear, well-balanced audio with AI Sound Boost
• Some limitations with small size, especially at high volumes
• Decent weight to bass, but Flip 7 blows it out the water

As you may expect, the small size of the JBL Grip does come with some sonic limitations, but for a model in this weight class, it performs well overall.

When tuning into Black Eye by Allie X, the deep drum machine sounded fairly commanding, while vocals remained clear in the mix. In the track’s intro, strings suddenly pierce through, but these sounded a little restricted on the Grip – the attack just sounded a little blunt or dulled, reducing the dramatic tone.

In Never Would by M-High, I was again treated to surprisingly deep, impactful bass – but not at the expense of controlled, decently detailed percussion in the treble range. With volume pushed to the 90-100% mark, low end did sound a little thin, and instrument separation was diminished, resulting in a slightly narrow sound. But that’s pretty common for a lot of small speakers, in fairness.

Similarly, tracks with booming sub-bass won’t be replicated all too well on the Grip due to some inherent restrictions. If you’re looking for almighty low-frequency output, I’d suggest checking out one of the best party speakers instead, like the JBL Xtreme 4.

Still, overall bass performance is solid, especially as you can set a custom EQ with enhanced low-end output, if you’d prefer. And in less bass-heavy genres, the Grip performs very admirably. In Rains again by Solji, soaring vocals remained emotive, with the breathiness in the performance audible throughout – that’s even without higher-res codecs like LDAC or aptX.

The speaker’s wraparound design also means you get a pleasing listen from all angles, with AI Sound Boost also onboard to optimize output for “bigger sound with less distortion”.

I compared the Grip to the Flip 7, and if you want the best sonic quality in a small body, that’s where I’d suggest spending your money. The regimented bass and more full-bodied sound is simply intoxicating. Having said that, the Grip does perform nicely – you’ll just have to make a few sonic sacrifices to enjoy its smaller form factor and sleek design.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

JBL Grip review: design

• Rugged, durable exterior with IP68 rating
• Easy to grip and ultra light
• Attractive looks with fun array of color options

I’m not always bowled over by the look of JBL’s Bluetooth speakers, but I actually love the Grip’s design.

When I visited JBL at the Nordisk Film studio in Copenhagen, an employee noted how research was undertaken in the food and drink industry finding that consumers widely preferred the slim and tall soda can style over the traditionally shorter and stubbier alternative. As a result, the Grip is made to resemble the former, and is “inspired by the proportions of a seltzer can”.

I for one love the shape and size of the Grip. As its name suggests, it’s easy to grab on to, with its textured exterior providing additional grip. Its also pleasingly light, earning it top-class portability.

Playback controls are elegantly positioned towards the ‘lid’, while power, Auracast, and pairing buttons sit on the top. A light control button can be found on the reverse side, where you can also find a fabric loop that can be used to hook the speaker onto something.

As is typically the case with JBL, the Grip comes in a beautiful array of colors, including: Black; Blue; Pink; Purple; Red; Squad (camo); and White. I tested the Purple variant and it really stands out from the crowd in the best way, and the inclusion of a light panel compliments the vibrant colorways even further.

But the good times keep rolling. Yes, the JBL Grip is extremely durable, largely thanks to its impressive IP68 dust and waterproof rating. This means that the speaker is fully dustproof, and can be submerged in 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. That makes it perfect for listening in the bath or shower, or even at the beach. JBL also calls the Grip ‘drop-proof’, so it truly is a hardy lil’ fella.

• Design score: 5/5

JBL Grip review: value

• Not exactly cheap for its size
• JBL Flip 7 offers superior overall sound-per-pound value
• Still, plenty of quality here

JBL has positioned the Grip right between the Clip 5 and Flip 7, pricing it at just under $100 / £90 / AU$130.

Now, that’s hardly super expensive, but it's not exactly cheap for a speaker of this size. The mightier, more detail-oriented Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 is on-sale pretty regularly for around the same cost, and the larger JBL Flip 6 can often be found at a similar price as well.

On top of that, the new Flip 7, which we awarded a glowing five-star review, feels like a slightly better value pick, at least in some territories. OK, in the US, it’s a full $50 more, but in the UK, you can pay just £20 more for the Flip 7, and experience significantly better audio, with rumbling low-end output and improved dynamics. You’ll also get more playtime in an only marginally larger, heavier package.

I want to give the Grip its flowers, though. It's still a solid sounding, aesthetically pleasing, and feature-rich Bluetooth speaker. And for less than $100 / £90, I think a lot of consumers will enjoy its soda-can dimensions, durable build, and fun lighting.

• Value score: 4/5

Should you buy the JBL Grip?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

JBL Grip review: also consider

JBL Grip review: how I tested

• Tested for two weeks
• Used at home and at Future Labs
• Tested using Spotify and Tidal

I spent more than two weeks testing out the JBL Grip, using it instead of my typical go-to Bluetooth speaker, the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2. I exhausted all of the Grip’s features, using a range of light customization options and listening across a variety of spaces.

For the most part, I used the Grip in my kitchen while cooking and cleaning – but I also used it while taking showers and for analytical listening at our music testing room at Future Labs. Here, I went through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a range of genres. I also listened to songs from my personal library – via both Tidal and Spotify.

More generally, I’ve reviewed dozens of speakers, headphones, earbuds, soundbars, and more here at TechRadar, where I have a particular focus on audio-visual technology. I’ve tested most of the Grip’s competition, so I know what it takes for a speaker to stand out in a highly convoluted market.

• First reviewed: October 2025
• Read more about how we test

Edifier ES20: two-minute review

I’ll be honest, the Edifier ES20 took me off guard. This super-small Bluetooth speaker is powered by a 6W driver and is less than 10cm in height and width. But it really does punch above its weight. And not only sonically – also in terms of its looks, feature-set, and battery life.

Yep, this tiny, square-shaped model impressed me in almost every area. Let’s start where it matters most: audio quality. Largely due to its physical limitations, the Edifier ES20 isn’t capable of deep rippling bass or ultra-imposing loudness, but there’s still a lot to love. Bass response is rapid and impressively deep, but mids never feel obscured, while instruments in the treble range come through sounding controlled, yet expressive.

OK, the Edifier ES20 only makes use of the SBC codec – a lot of the best Bluetooth speakers would offer AAC, and maybe LDAC for good measure. But still, I was impressed with the clarity of my favorite tracks. If you want a more nuanced listen, you could pair a second ES20 up for stereo sound.

Another area the ES20 impressed me in was the looks department. It has a retro vibe to it, similar to models like the Marshall Willen II, or speakers from Klipsch. I’m a big fan of that, and when you pair its classy aesthetic with appealing (and customizable) ambient lights, this thing really has it all.

There’s even more to love, though. 15 hours of playtime is very solid – that’s a couple more hours than a lot of rivals in this weight class can offer. In addition, I was a fan of the ES20’s modest price point, especially in the UK and Australia – for reference, it's $89.99 / £49.99 / AU$99.99.

Just generally, it has everything you’d want from a model like this. It’s compact, light, IP67 dust and waterproof rated, and great-sounding. There are some small imperfections worth noting, though. Firstly, the sound of the ES20 is noticeably compressed at peak volumes, especially when you crank things up all the way to 100%. That’s common for small speakers, and I’d recommend getting a larger model anyway if loudness is your aim – the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 is a still-compact but significantly more powerful pick.

Another thing is that the ES20’s EQ options are seriously lacking. There are four modes: Music; Gaming; Movies; and Outdoor. I don’t think that having a single ‘Music’ calibration is enough – especially when there’s no custom option and the modes that are here sound a little too similar to one another.

Still, it’s important to look at the bigger picture. And that tells me that the Edifier ES20 is an excellent small-sized speaker that really nails it where it matters. Sure, the EQ options are lacking, but the default tuning sounds plenty good enough. Tie that together with luxurious looks, a generous helping of battery life, and wonderful waterproofing, and the Edifier ES20 is easy to recommend.

Edifier ES20 review: price and release date

• $89.99 / £49.99 / AU$99.99
• Launched in June 2025

The Edifier ES20 was launched in June 2025 as part of Edifier’s new ‘ES’ range. That apparently stands for ‘Elegant’ and ‘Superb’, or ‘Edifier Sound’. Anyway, enough of that! This speaker has a list price of $89.99 / £49.99 / AU$99.99, meaning it's a fair bit more pricey in the US, compared to other territories – more on that later. You can purchase the ES20 in either black or white.

Edifier ES20 review: specs

Edifier ES20 review: features

• Effective hands-free mic with noise cancelling tech
• Attractive and personalizable ambient lighting
• Weak EQ options

The Edifier ES20 offers a fairly hearty helping of features considering it’s a small, affordable Bluetooth speaker.

First of all, you get multi-point connectivity, if you want to link multiple devices to your speaker. In addition, you can pair two ES20 models together and unlock stereo audio, if you’re looking for a more nuanced and powerful audio presentation.

There’s also an inbuilt microphone – something you won’t see in all Bluetooth speakers nowadays. Edifier described it as a “high sensitivity” mic, which harnesses the power of noise cancellation for clear, hands-free calling. And largely, I’d say that’s exactly what you get. My voice sounded clear, even when I stood quite far from the speaker – though there was some noticeable sibilance.

Perhaps the most interesting feature, though, is the speaker’s customizable ambient lighting. Using the Edifier ConneX app, you can pick from a range of lighting options, including: Breathing; Rainbow; Static; Glittering and Colorful; or Emergency Light. This visual aspect only enhances immersion into your music, and the option to personalize aspects like light modulation rate, brightness, and the displayed colors, is a nice touch.

If you do make use of the ambient lighting – it can be disabled entirely, if you’d prefer – it will drain the speaker’s battery at a more rapid rate. Speaking of, you get up to 15 hours of playtime from the ES20, which is pretty good, actually. That’s more than rivals like the JBL Clip 5 and the LG xboom Go XG2T can dream of.

This lil’ fella’s on a roll so far… but I’m gonna have to burst its bubble a bit. And that’s down to one thing in particular – EQ options. There are four here: Music; Gaming; Movies; and Outdoor. Unfortunately, I wasn’t hearing a whole lot of difference between these. On top of that, there’s no custom multi-band equalizer to make use of – something I would have appreciated, personally. This isn’t a totally crushing miss – largely thanks to the ES20’s impressive audio output…

• Features score: 4.5/5

Edifier ES20 review: sound quality

• Punchy, rapid bass response
• Controlled treble, well-balanced mids
• Some distortion at peak volume and no fancy audio codecs

Yes, I was very impressed with the Edifier ES20’s sonic performance – especially given its incredibly compact build. It’s powered by a 43mm full-range driver, makes use of a 55mm passive radiator, and has a maximum power output of 6W. That doesn’t sound like a lot – but this small speaker is more mighty than you may expect.

When bumping Burning Down by Dimmish, the rapid, thumping bass was replicated responsively and impactfully. Sure, the ES20 couldn’t quite match the depth you’d expect from some of the best party speakers, but that’s to be expected due to its physical limitations. With the ES20, you’re not putting up with the ‘boomy’, muddy low-frequency performance of many budget competitors – it’s punchy, as Edifier claims.

In addition, Burning Down showcased the controlled yet expressive nature of the ES20’s treble output. Higher-pitched percussion wasn’t overly forward in the mix, and it never sounded tinny or harsh, even at mid-to-high volume levels. Instead, it was tonally accurate, disciplined, and clean.

I’d say the ES20 certainly has a warm sound signature, really leaning into that ‘mightier than it looks’ angle. But even still, bass isn’t overbearing, meaning that in tracks like Each Time You Pray by Ned Doheny, I was still treated to clear, well-balanced vocals and neatly defined acoustic guitar.

You won’t get the most nuanced, detailed listen in the world, especially if you’re only using one ES20 rather than two – which can be used in stereo mode. For instance, in Minute by Minute by The Doobie Brothers, I wasn’t wowed by next-level instrument separation between the groovy bass, synths, and McDonald’s iconic vocals. The speaker also uses the most basic SBC Bluetooth audio codec, so don’t expect to see LDAC or aptX support.

Then again, it’s important to emphasize that this is a very small model – so you can’t expect the most expansive soundstage or the effortlessly layered sound you’d uncover on premium, larger models.

Both music and podcasts come through very clearly on the ES20, and unless you push the volume up to 90-100%, you won’t be subjected to distortion or overly compressed audio. That’s about as much as you can ask for from a sub-$90 / £50 / AU$100 speaker of this stature!

• Sound quality score: 4/5

Edifier ES20 review: design

• Gorgeous retro-style design
• Fantastic protection against the elements
• Attractive lighting

The Edifier ES20 is an absolute beauty, and looks much more luxurious than its modest price tag would suggest.

It’s got an almost Marshall-style retro look to it, with an appealing speaker grille protecting the driver, and a faux leather material used for the outer casing and button controls. Yep, there’s nothing about this that screams cheap. You can scoop it up in either Black or White – we went for the latter, but both compliment the speaker’s classy looks brilliantly.

On top of this, the reverse side of the speaker has ambient lighting, which can illuminate a wall behind it, for example, adding a bit of visual flare to your listening experiences. As I mentioned earlier, the lights are highly customizable through the Edifier ConneX app, and if you’d prefer to have them off, you can.

This model’s not only a pretty face, though, it’s also highly practical. Firstly, it’s very small, coming in at less than 10cm wide and tall, and just over 300g in weight. It also comes with a fabric carry strap, so you can easily attach it to a backpack, for example.

Crucially, it's also very well protected against the elements, thanks to its IP67 rating. That means it's plenty dustproof, but can also be submerged in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. Not bad, is it?

Combine all of this with well-sized on-board controls, small rubber feet for added stability, and a handy LED light strip to indicate battery life, and the ES20 nails it in every way.

• Design score: 5/5

Edifier ES20 review: value

• Pricing a little inconsistent across territories
• But regardless, you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck
• Rivals are playing in a similar ballpark, price-wise

The Edifier ES20 isn’t all too expensive, even considering its small size. Actually, I have been tempted to refer to it as ‘cheap’ once or twice in my review, had it not been for its US pricing.

See, the ES20 comes in at £49.99 in the UK and AU$99.99 – fairly even pricing across the territories using current exchange rates. But in the US, this model costs $89.99, which isn’t so proportional. This may be down to the tariffs imposed by the US government earlier in 2025, but still, it means the ES 20 is more mid-priced, than cheap, for a speaker this small.

After all, a top-class rival like the JBL Clip 5 has a list price of $79.95 (£59.99 / AU$89.95), but can often be found for under $60 now. Still, its most similar competitor, the Marshall Willen II will generally cost more than $100, so you’re still not overpaying for the ES20 – it’s just that you’re getting even more bang for your buck outside of the US!

Speaking of, this speaker has qualities that far outstrip a range of competitors in its price and weight class. It offers genuinely punchy, largely distortion-free sound, gorgeous looks, and plenty of playtime. Combine that with its IP67 rating and ambient lights, and you’re looking at awesome value for money.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Edifier ES20?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Edifier ES20 review: also consider

How I tested the Edifier ES20

• Tested over the course of one week
• Mainly used in the music testing space at Future Labs
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I spent hours with the Edifier ES20, during which time I listened to music, tuned into podcasts, and took a couple of phone calls. I exhausted all of the ES20’s features, tried all of its light customization options, and tried listening at various distances and angles.

For the most part, I used the ES20 in our music testing room at Future Labs. Here, I went through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a range of genres. I also listened to songs from my personal library – mainly via Tidal, but sometimes on Spotify.

More generally, I’ve reviewed dozens of speakers, headphones, earbuds, soundbars, and more here at TechRadar, where I have a particular focus on audio-visual technology. I’ve tested most of the ES20’s competition, so I know what it takes for a speaker to stand out in a highly convoluted market.

• First reviewed: September 2025
• Read more about how we test

JBL Charge 6: Two-minute review

The JBL Charge 6 portable wireless speaker isn’t as closely related to the outgoing JBL Charge 5 as it might first appear. Oh, in physical terms they’re closely related – but the Charge 6 adds some nice new specification upgrades, as well as a very useful carry handle, in an effort to maintain the Charge’s position as the pre-eminent mid-priced option among the best Bluetooth speakers.

So as well as 45 watts of power and an impressive frequency response of 54Hz - 20kHz, the JBL Charge 6 can be hard-wired via USB-C in order to deliver true hi-res audio. It will run for 24 hours from a single charge – longer if you don’t mind sacrificing some bass response – and can act as a charger for your smartphone.

Two JBL Charge 6 units can form a stereo pair, and it can connect to any Auracast-enabled speakers for as numerous a speaker system as you fancy. An IP68 rating and a predictably robust standard of build and finish means it is happy in pretty much any environment.

And in action, the Charge 6 is a deft and assertive listen with a whole lot of positives about the way it deals with your audio files. Over Bluetooth, it’s punchy and detailed in equal measure, with a nice tonal balance and fairly even frequency response. Up the ante with some hi-res stuff via USB-C and it gains additional dynamism, insight and rhythmic positivity.

Really, only lowering volume to ‘background’ levels can upset it – quite a lot of its direct and expansive nature goes astray when you try to listen quietly. This thing is made for fun.

So yes, ‘Charge 6’ turns out to be a little more than just ‘Charge 5 +1’, and it's as good as speakers this size, at this price, get right now.

JBL Charge 6 review: Price and release date

• Released in April 2025
• Officially priced at $149 / £129 / AU$179

The JBL Charge 6 is on sale now, and in US you can find it for $159, in the the United Kingdom it sells for £169 (unless you decide you fancy the rather lively purple or red finishes, which for some reason are £5 less expensive), while in Australia it goes for AU$229.

That's a similar price to the JBL Charge 5 at its launch, though the older model can now be found in the $120-$140 region regularly, or is £119 in the UK at the time of writing.

The Charge 6 is a good price for this kind of speaker – for example, it's priced similarly to the Sonos Roam 2, which is much smaller and less powerful than this, but the JBL doesn't have the multi-room Wi-Fi skills of the Sonos.

JBL Charge 6 review: Specs

JBL Charge 6 review: Features

• 45 watts of power
• 54Hz - 20kHz frequency response
• 24 hours of battery normally, can be boosted to 28 hours

When it comes to a wireless connection, the Charge 6 uses Bluetooth 5.4 (good) and is compatible with SBC and AAC codecs (less good, but normal).

Unlike a lot of nominal rivals, though, the JBL has a USB-C slot that can be used for data transfer as well as for charging its battery, meaning that if you connect it to an appropriate source, hi-res audio of up to 24bit/96kHz can be yours (very good indeed).

The battery itself will run for around 24 hours (as long as you’re not absolutely blasting the volume), and if you switch ‘playtime boost’ on, that number rises to 28 hours in exchange for a rather obvious curtailing of low-frequency presence.

This is basically as long as battery life gets for portable speakers – certainly for speakers that are actually easy to carry around.

The JBL will even act as a power bank, so you can connect your phone to the USB-C port to charge it if push comes to shove – but this will, of course, eat into the Charge 6’s own battery life. From ‘flat’ to ‘full’, by the way, takes a fairly leisurely three hours.

No matter how the audio information makes it onboard, it’s attended to by 45 watts of Class D power driving a 20mm tweeter and a racetrack mid/bass driver. It's basically the same speaker setup as the JBL Flip 7, but with bigger speakers in all cases and more power – lovely.

In conjunction with the passive radiator at each end, JBL claims this arrangement is good for a frequency response of 54Hz up to 20kHz.

• Features score: 4.5/5

JBL Charge 6 review: Sound quality

• Big and punchy (but also deft and detailed) sound
• Capable of significant volume
• Loses interest at lower levels

You might think you know what you’re getting, sound-wise, when you look at the Charge 6. And in some ways, you’d be right – give it a stream of Outkast’s The Way You Move and the JBL delivers it with scale and considerable substance. Its sound is big and weighty, and there’s plenty of drive and momentum to ensure the rhythm is expressed with real positivity.

But the Charge 6 is no blunt instrument. It retrieves and reveals plenty of detail, is more than capable of handling the transient or minor events in the recording, and is just as adept at describing the harmonic variations as it is the broad dynamic strokes of ‘quiet’ and ‘loud’. Sure, it’s an energetic and quite forceful listen – but it pays just as much attention to the light and shade of a recording as it does the attack.

Its frequency response is fairly even; there’s a slight skew to the bottom end, sure, but it’s nothing fatal. And its tonal balance is equally well-judged, so there’s crisp presence at the top end to balance the punchy lower frequencies – and in the midrange, the JBL makes the character and technique of a vocalist pretty apparent.

Switch to a 24-bit/96kHz FLAC file of The Past is a Grotesque Animal by of Montreal, served to the Charge 6 via USB-C, and the entire presentation steps on. The soundstage opens up yet further, detail levels enjoy a big uptick, and the amount of space available to each element of the recording makes for greater overall scale.

Dynamic headroom increases, the unity of the frequency range is made more apparent, and the control of low-frequency activity makes for a rhythmically positive and articulate sound.

It’s worth noting that many of these uncomplicatedly enjoyable aspects of music-making are rather diminished should you decide to listen to the Charge 6 at volumes levels of ‘modest’ or below.

The JBL is not especially tolerant of being treated as a ‘background listening’ device, and a fair amount of its directness and assertiveness deserts it in the circumstance. No one puts Baby in the corner, so it seems…

• Sound quality: 4.5/5

JBL Charge 6 review: Design

• IP68-rated for dust and waterproofing
• Seven finishes, and useful carry handle
• Reasonably compact at 229 x 99 x 94mm

In broad terms, it’s JBL Charge business as usual here. The speaker is almost cylindrical, with a flattened area on the bottom for it to rest on. Each end of the almost-cylinder features some sturdy rubberization to protect the passive radiator (and its rather alarming ‘!’ branding) at each end.

A few physical controls are arranged across the top, at the rear there’s a USB-C slot, and the entire thing is wrapped in hardwearing fabric.

Changes in design over the outgoing Charge 5 are very few – but they’re all significant. Those rubber end caps are now even more robust than before. The material that covers almost the entire speaker is now 100% recycled material. The controls are in two rows for even greater ease of operation.

The IP rating has risen from a very acceptable IP67 to IP68 – which indicates the Charge 6 is virtually impregnable. And there’s now a flexible, branded carry-handle that fits to the top of the speaker and means it’s more easily portable than before.

A choice of seven different finishes runs from a business-like black to a camo number JBL calls ‘squad’. No matter the color you choose, though, you’ll be in possession of a carefully designed and beautifully built portable speaker.

• Design score: 5/5

JBL Charge 6 review: Usability and setup

• JBL ‘Portable’ control app
• A few physical controls
• Auracast and stereo pairing

The two rows of physical controls on the Charge 6 cover volume up/down, play/pause, power on/off, Bluetooth pairing and Auracast pairing – as long as the other speakers in your prospective group are Auracast-enabled, there’s no practical limit to the number of speakers you can join together or the amount of space you can cover.

Each of the controls is reliable, and very positive in its action – and the ability to pair two Bluetooth devices at a time is very welcome too.

The company’s ‘Portable’ control app is a useful little number too. Here’s where you can form a stereo pair with another Charge 6, check out a number of EQ presets or establish some of your own, check on battery life, and turn on ‘playtime boost’.

It’s a clean and stable app that’s a cut above the sort of thing some rival portable speakers are accompanied by.

• Usability and setup: 5/5

JBL Charge 6 review: Value

If you want it for background listening, look elsewhere for your Bluetooth speaker, and spend less money while you’re at it – the five-star JBL Flip 7 would work nicely.

But if you decide to let it do its thing, the JBL Charge 6 has more than enough sonic talent to justify its asking price – and the fact that it’s so well made, so hardy and so very usefully specified only seals the deal.

• Value score: 5/5

Should I buy the JBL Charge 6?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

JBL Charge 6 review: Also consider

How I tested the JBL Charge 6

• Tested for over a week
• Tested in a variety of real-world locations
• Connected wireless and wired, with a variety of file types

I connect the JBL Charge 6 via Bluetooth to an Apple iPhone 14 Pro, an Apple MacBook Pro and a FiiO JM21 digital audio player.

I also connected it to the laptop via USB-C, where the Colibri software on the machine allowed the Charge 6 to play authentically hi-res content.

I listened indoors and outdoors, at a variety of volume levels and to a variety of types of music. And I did all this for well over a working week (and sometimes at the weekend too).

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: September 2025