Key takeaways

• The JBL Charge 6 will be available for purchase on April 6 for$199 in Black, Blue, White, Red, Camo, and Purple.
• The Charge 6 offers great sound, durability, battery life, and in-app features.
• However, its waterproof rating doesn't account for exposure to salt or chlorinated water, so exposing it to pool or ocean water might incur internal damage.

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While there are plenty of Bluetooth speakers on the market, only a few strike the balance of durability and sound quality. Bose's SoundLink Max was one of the first I tested to bridge the gap, but JBL's newCharge 6 is here to compete with it -- and for$200 less.

Also: Why these Bose headphones are still the best I've listened to - even though they're a year old

I spent an early spring weekend toting the JBL Charge 6 to a family cookout around Atlanta's busiest outdoor space and between rooms while I completed some weekend chores. If you're looking for a souped-up portable speaker, you'll want to hear how it went.

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JBL Charge 6

The JBL Charge 6 delivers reverse USB-C charging, up to 28 hours of playtime, and an IP68 durability rating for water and dust protection.

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The Charge 6 debuts with JBL's proprietary AI Sound Boost, which uses an algorithm to analyze your music as it plays in real time to tweak the speaker's EQ. According to JBL, this feature delivers maximum acoustics and decreases distortion.

Also: I tested an 'everything-proof' Bluetooth speaker that features Qi wireless charging - and can't go back

Decreasing distortion is exceptionally important, considering the Charge 6 packs a heavy bass response. At loud volumes, the bass can cause the speaker to rumble, muddy the bass, and overpower the other frequencies. Although the Charge 6 isn't the smallest Bluetooth speaker I've tested, its loudness is still impressive for its frame.

If the bass gets too heavy for your liking, you can adjust the speaker's EQ settings in the JBL Portable app. You can choose from preset EQs or create your own. The Charge 6 promises 28 hours of playtime on a single charge, four more hours than its predecessor.

Two of those extra hours are attributed to a feature called Playtime Boost, which decreases the bass strength to conserve battery. This feature was handy at my parents' weekend cookout since I'm constantly tasked with bringing the latest speaker I'm testing for everyone to hear. However, on this particular weekend, I brought the speaker when it was on 30% battery, and I needed to keep the party going.

The Charge 6 gets its name from its device charging capabilities; if your or your buddy's smartphone has a low battery, you can whip out your USB-C cord and plug your phone into the speaker to keep it alive.

Also: This portable Bluetooth speaker delivers room-filling sound at an extraordinarily low price

JBL trumpets the Charge 6's IP68 durability rating as it's stronger than the Bose SoundLink Max, Beats Pill (2024), and Sony ULT Field 1's IP67 ratings. At IP68, the Charge 6 is fully protected from dust and can survive submersion in almost five feet (1.5 meters) of water for up to 30 minutes.

However, JBL's fine print clarifies that the Charge 6's water durability was tested infresh water, not salt or chlorinated water. I hypothesize that the chemicals in ocean or pool water could erode the USB-C port's reverse charging capabilities and damage your phone. Thus, the Charge 6 will blink red if the port is still wet, discouraging you from connecting your phone.

On the contrary, the Bose SoundLink Max also has reverse charging and a weaker IP rating. Still, it will float and orient itself grille face-down to avoid internal water damage if you accidentally drop it in the ocean or pool. Bose suggests you wait until the speaker is dry to use or plug your phone into it, but Bose tested the SoundLink Max in salt and chlorinated water.

Also: I finally found a Bluetooth speaker that's not afraid to get loud (and still sounds good)

You can orient the Charge 6 horizontally or vertically; the added carrying strap provides more portability. Compared to its predecessor, the Charge 6 offers more continuous playtime, an enhanced Bluetooth version for more stable connections and efficient power consumption, Auracast compatibility, and faster reverse charging. 

The Charge 6 is a worthy upgrade from the Charge 5, showing that JBL wisely used the Charge lineup's four-year hiatus. It is more affordable than competitors with similar features and more advanced than competitors in the same price category.

's buying advice

If you want a new Bluetooth speaker packed with features and practical durability, theJBL Charge 6 is an excellent choice. It sounds great, has a lengthy battery life, and includes Auracast, which allows you to connect the speaker to an unlimited number of other Auracast-enabled speakers for the ultimate party.

If you want a durable speaker with reverse charging and a more stylish and nondescript design, consider theBose SoundLink Max , but be prepared to pay a premium for it. 

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