The JBL Charge Essential and Charge 5 are two of the best compact speakers on the market. Each has its unique strengths. The JBL Charge Essential is a small powerhouse that combines strong sound performance with a style made for audio adventurers on the go.
On the other hand, the Charge 5 has a bigger footprint and a more commanding sound, thanks to its new technologies that make it more than just a speaker and more like an audio experience.
Choosing a good speaker JBL Charge Essential Vs. Charge 5 for your trip could be hard, especially if you don’t do any research before making a choice.
Design and Build
The JBL Charge 5 and the JBL Charge Essential resemble cylinders with rounded sides. But the Charge 5 is slightly bigger than the previous model and has a finer-woven cloth grille.
The Charge Essential is made out of a lighter plastic material, while the Charge 5 is made out of a rubberized material that is more sturdy. Both speakers are safe from dust and water, so they can be used outside.
The Charge Essential has a handle and a strap built into it to make it easier to carry. The Charge 5 only has a handle built into it.
The Charge 5 has a USB-C port that can be used to charge other electronic devices. The Charge Essential only has a USB-A port.
Compared to the Charge Essential, the Charge 5 has a more high-end look and is built better all around.
The JBL Charge Essential and the JBL Charge 5 are the best compact speakers on the market. Each has its strengths that make it stand out from the others.
The JBL Charge Essential is a small powerhouse that perfectly combines powerful sound with a style made for people who like to explore music on the go. This makes for a product that is both strong and easy to carry.
On the other hand, the Charge 5 has a bigger size and sounds even more powerful on the scene. Its cutting-edge technology makes this possible, which turns it from a simple speaker into a realistic audio experience.
When these two powerhouses go against each other, listeners choose between tight, fast-paced energy and big, enveloping sound. Both options offer to fit the individual journey of the listener, but only one can win.
Sound Quality
Both the JBL Charge Essential and the JBL Charge 5 have good sound quality for how big they are. But the Charge 5 has a stronger sound than the Charge Essential, with a louder bass and clearer highs at higher frequencies. The soundstage on the Charge 5 is also bigger, which makes listening to music more realistic.
The Charge 5 has a driver in the shape of a racetrack and two JBL bass radiators, while the Charge Essential has a single driver that can reproduce sound across the entire audible range. The Charge 5 now sounds more balanced and has better bass feedback.
The music quality of the JBL Charge 5 is much better than that of the JBL Charge Essential. Still, the Charge Essential is a great option for people shopping on a tight budget.
Battery Life
The JBL Charge Essential and the JBL Charge 5 have a battery life of up to 20 hours.
On the other hand, the Charge 5 has a battery capacity significantly more than that of the Charge Essential (which is 6000 mAh). Because of this, the Charge 5 has the potential to last longer on a single charge, which is especially beneficial if you play your music at a greater volume.
In real use, the amount of time that the two speakers can play music without needing to be recharged will differ from one another based on the volume level, the kind of music being played, and several other factors.
On the other hand, both speakers ought to be able to offer sufficient playback duration for the vast majority of users.
The best way to decide which speaker has the better battery life for you is to test them out and see which lasts longer on your particular usage pattern.
Connectivity
Both the JBL Charge Essential and Charge 5 are Bluetooth speakers, which means they can be connected to your smartphone or tablet wirelessly.
However, the Charge 5 has a newer version of Bluetooth (Bluetooth 5.1) than the Charge Essential (Bluetooth 4.1). This means the Charge 5 has a better connectivity range, faster transfer rate, and more stable connection.
The Charge Essential also has a 3.5mm aux input, which allows you to connect it to a non-Bluetooth device with a wired connection. The Charge 5 does not have this feature.
Overall, the Charge 5 has better connectivity than the Charge Essential. However, the Charge Essential is still a good option if you are looking for a speaker with a wired connection option.
Features Comparison
| Feature | JBL Charge Essential | JBL Charge 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | Good | Powerful |
| Battery life | 20 hours | 24 hours |
| Durability | IPX7 water-resistant | IP67 water-resistant and dustproof |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, USB-A output | Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C output, JBL PartyBoost |
| Dimensions | 8.9 x 8.97 x 21.3 cm | 9.65 x 9.4 x 22.3 cm |
| Weight | 770 g | 965 g |
| Material | Plastic | Rubberized Material |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Built-in strap | Yes | No |
| Built-in handle | No | Yes |
| USB port | USB-A | USB-C |
| Bass response | Good | Deeper |
| Highs | Clear | Clearer |
| Soundstage | Narrow | Wider |
| Battery Capacity | 6000 mAh | 7500 mAh |
| Connectivity Range | Up to 10 meters | Up to 15 meters |
| Wired Connection | Yes | No |
| Price on Amazon | 120 USD | 180 USD |
Conclusion
In the end, you should choose between the JBL Charge Essential and the Charge 5 based on what you want and need. Are you looking for a speaker that fits easily into your backpack for an unplanned trip, or are you looking for a powerhouse that can make your surroundings sound like a concert?
Both models have their own stories to tell, and no matter which way you go, one thing is clear: JBL keeps making great products and coming up with new ideas that fit in with how we live. So, the music will continue whether you choose the Essential or the Charge 5. It’s up to you.
You may also read: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 6: Best Detailed Review
