The JBL Charge is a nice compromise for those who want a better-sounding portable wireless speaker but don't want to make the jump -- both in terms of size and price -- to something like the Jawbone Big Jambox or Bose SoundLink.
Read the full review →
88
Conclusion: We like it
Maybe Bluetooth speakers are the new boombox -- at least, that's what the JBL Charge would have you believe, with its "incredible" sound that 9to5Mac says "blows away the comparably priced Beats Pill in volume" and that even CNET agrees has "pronounced bass and bigger sound" and "does sound better than a lot of other mini Bluetooth speakers in the $80-to-$150 price range," though they also feel those competitors are still "smaller and even more portable," and "offer speakerphone capabilities, which this unit lacks." However, Mashable notes that the Charge is "constructed in sturdy rubberized plastic that feels solid and well-made," so you won't have to worry about accidental drops or spills. And with price and sound quality comparable to our current Must-have speaker, the Jawbone Jambox, the JBL Charge might just be the speaker you should take on your next outing.
90-Day Price History
Critic reviews
sort by
Long playback time, decent sound quality, compact size, and last but not least – the ability to keep your phone charged - the Charge does it all. Amid a sea of small speakers, this one merits a look and a listen.
Read the full review →There are a lot of Bluetooth speakers out there, but the JBL Charge is like getting the best of these with an external battery pack thrown in for free. ... in our minds, the JBL Charge hasn’t just uncrowned it… the Charge has kicked the Jambox’s teeth in.
Read the full review →Is the JBL Charge Bluetooth speaker worth its $149.95 price? Yes. It sounds excellent, looks cool, is a winner of our Mashable Choice designation, and is certainly worthy of your consideration.
Read the full review →You still can’t go wrong with the Charge; I recommend it highly.
Read the full review →First Looks
product preview
The design of the Charge also looks -- objectively -- even better in real life. The modern design and materials work really well with the vibrant color schemes, and while we didn't have time to test out that 12-hour battery life, everything else looked pretty solid to us.
Read the full preview →product preview
Available in grey, green, or blue, Charge looks similar to Flip, and comes with the same pack-ins, including a wall charger and carrying bag. This one has more rubber and plastic around its body though, making it more durable.
Read the full preview →
We don't have any user reviews for the JBL Charge. What a bummer. You know, you could be the first to write one!
You can also add the JBL Charge to your gdgt Want List and we'll send you an email when there are new user reviews!
How it stacks up
Instantly compare the JBL Charge side by side with some of the top devices on gdgt!
Compare these-
JBL Charge 88 from $149 -
Jawbone JAMBOX 89 from $145 -
Sonos Play:3 88 from $299 -
Jawbone Big Jambox 88 from $263 -
Sonos Play:5 (ZonePlayer S5) 85 from $399
Other JBL speaker docks / portable speakers
Don't forget to check out these other devices by JBL, you might find something good!