Design and build:

Comparing JBL Charge 5 vs Bose Soundlink Flex, the Soundlink Flex is lighter and more compact which means it is highly portable. It is made of Aluminum, Fabric, Nylon, Plastic, Silicone and Steel. While the Charge 5 has a cylindrical shape covered with rubber like grille, the Soundlink Flex has a rectangular shape. Soundlink Flex has a powder coating that gives protection against rust and UV light.

They both have IP67 rating so using it outdoors in dust or water is not an issue. Overall, the build quality is better in Soundlink Flex as it has impact resistant but JBL Charge 5 is easy to hold due to rubberized body.

Performance:

Comparing JBL Charge 5 vs Bose Soundlink Flex, the Charge 5 is a better match for you if you want better bass. JBL Charge 5 has a 0.75" dome tweeter and 2" x 3.5" woofer along with 2 passive radiators. It has broad frequency response and focuses on producing sound with accuracy. Vocals and instrumental sounds are clear and precise. The low ends packs a punch and is powerful than the Bose Soundlink Flex.

You can use it for different music genre like heavy metal rock, jazz or classical.It is designed to be placed horizontally or vertically and its position will not affect the sound. Bose uses PositionIQ technology for this similar approach. It analyzes the speaker position to optimize the sound. That said, it is suggested to leave a gap of 3” from the back wall if you are using it indoors.

Bose Soundlink Flex a 2” transducer and 2 passive radiators. It can deliver clean and clear sound. Out of the box accuracy of Soundlink Flex is impressive. It has a balanced sound profile and with DSP, it tries to produce the best sound quality. Both these speakers have good but average soundstage but the Charge 5 can get louder than the Soundlink Flex.

Connectivity:

None of these speakers have an aux port and do not support any wired connectivity. Since these are portable speaker, a wired device will be a hassle. They both support Bluetooth option but the JBL Charge 5 has the update 5.1 version. They have strong connection with the connected device. JBL Charge 5 has lower latency compared to the Bose Soundlink Flex which means, it is a better suit for movies.

Multiple speaker pairing:

JBL Charge 5 uses PartyBoost and will pair with another JBL PartyBoost speaker. Bose Soundlink Flex can also connect to other Bose speakers like SoundLink Flex, SoundLink Color II, SoundLink Mini II, SoundLink Revolve (series I/II), SoundLink Micro, and SoundLink Revolve+ (series I/II).

With Bose SimpleSync technology, you can also connect the Soundlink Flex to other Bose Home Speaker like Soundbar 300/ 500/ 700/900, Home Speaker 300/500 and Portable Home Speaker.You can connect two speakers for stereo mode and multiple speakers for partymode for both speakers.

Microphone:

Comparing Bose Soundlink Flex and JBL Charge 5, the Soundlink Flex has built-in microphone. You can take phone calls through the speaker. You can also use the voice assistants in your phone like the Siri and Google Assistant. This is a much handy feature that allows you to command the voice assistant as you drive, climb or hike.

Battery life:

Comparing JBL Charge 5 vs Bose Soundlink Flex, the Charge 5 lasts around 12 or 13 hours. The Bose Soundlink Flex can play around 7 hours.

Control options:

Some control options are similar in both speaker like volume up down and Bluetooth. JBL Charge 5 has other buttons like play/pause and PartyBoost. The Bose Soundlink Flex has a multifunctional button that you can use for phone calls, voice assistant and play/pause functions.

Cost:

 JBL Charge 5 and Bose Soundlink Flex are available under $150. The Charge 5 costs less but the difference is not much. Overall, both the speakers are reasonably priced and they deliver much better sound at this price range.

FAQ:

Can Bose Soundlink Flex float on water?

Bose Soundlink Flex can float on water so if it accidentally falls on the pool or sea, then you do not have to worry about it drowning.

Are JBL portable speakers good enough?

JBL manufactures some of the best portable speakers at a reasonable price. Along with impressive sound performance they come with several features including voice assistant, good battery life and aux ports. If you are looking for a speaker with an aux port and  voice assistant capability, check the JBL Xtreme 2.