JBL like all major brands are front and center in the lucrative wireless portable Bluetooth speaker market, and the JBL Charge is a solid addition. Yeah the market is getting flooded, and each of these speakers have their strengths and unique features, but this is a good thing for us consumers as the sound keeps getting better. We really like the JBL Charge, this is another offering that for the price delivers an above average, well reviewed wireless speaker. See our detailed JBL Charge Portable Wireless Speaker review below.
Portable or Bookshelf
Table of Contents
This speaker is certainly designed to be on the go, so we say take it with you. It is attractive and will look nice on the bookshelf, but again portable all the way.
Power Source/battery life
This speaker boasts a 6000mAh Li-ion battery that will provide a nice 12 hours of music on a single charge. The neat Charge feature allows for this speaker battery to be able to charge your cellphone if needed, up to 3 times and it can also charge your tablet up to one time if needed. So it is a nice power back up if you are going to be away from an AC power source.
Wireless Standard: Bluetooth
This speaker uses Bluetooth technology to stream your music from your device to the speaker. So all your devices such as Android or iphones, ipods, ipads, tablets, notebooks and even some desktops will work with this speaker.
Controls
The controls are easy to use, on the top of the speaker from left to right, are the LED indicator lights for battery power. If you see one flashing red, you need to charge. If you have one continuous blue light you have low power, two blue means medium power, three blue lights full power. Next you have a power button, that is also a continuous blue light when on and paired to a device. Then you have a volume down and up button.
On one end of the speaker, you will see a JBL rubber tab, pull that away and underneath is a USB mini charger port to charge your device or smartphone if needed. The other end is the Bass port
On the rear of the speaker towards the bottom is the port for the AC charger and the Aux In port 3.5mm so you can connect to devices that may not support Bluetooth.
You would control song choices or fast forward from your device.
Speakerphone
This speaker does not have speakerphone capabilities
Ease of Set-up
This speaker can be paired to a device in seconds and is easy to use.
Stereo Separation
Stereo separation is merely the separation of sounds through the right and left speaker. When listening to the music you may hear the drums through the right speaker and the guitar from the left, this separation mimics the spatial separation within the studio where the music was recorded. This speaker does have stereo sound, but due to it’s small size you would have to be parked just a few inches from the front of it to hear it, and as you move away, you would lose the effect.
Wireless Range
The Bluetooth norm is about 30 feet, and that means that your device (music source) needs to be within 30 feet of the speaker for it to stream music without stopping or interrupting.
JBL Charge Design
We really like the design, from the tough grill, to the rubber ends. The speaker has a nice feel to it, and it can be easily placed in a bag for easy travel, or cup holder. It almost has the look and feel of an older thermos bottle. The speakers inside are two 1-1/2″ full range drivers, these are digitally processed to produce clear mid and high range sounds. The built in bass port is designed to move air and therefore deliver lower tones to compliment the drivers. This speaker can be placed vertically or horizontally and still deliver stereo sound.
These come in several colors, an all black model, or green, blue and grey in white trim. Each comes with a soft carrying case.
Sound Quality
This speaker has surprisingly big sound, heck this speaker weighs just a smidge over a pound. I like the Bass port design, and this little speaker does move some air. If you place the speaker with the port a few inches from a wall it can help with the bass. As with all these little speakers the bass does suffer, but this one holds it own against some more expensive speakers. I was listening to some mellow Crosby Stills and Nash on these and they sounded great, the vocals were clear and the music was sweet. Even some classic rock tunes were nice, the bass was working and pleasant.
Dimensions
Height 2.9 inches
Width 6.9 inches
diameter 3 inches
weight 17 oz
JBL Charge Features
Full Range JBL Sound: Amazing punchy bass with it’s port design, clear sound with the two drivers that deliver crisp sound, powered with a 10 watt amplifier.
Built In Charger: A great power back up to power your external devices if needed, you can also charge while your listening.
Powerful Battery: Allows for >12 hours of music, plus charging other devices.
Clear LED Indicator: Allows for you to see with a glance your battery life/bluetooth pairing.
Portable: Rugged, yet attractive portable design for easy transport and use.
Bluetooth: Will work with smartphones, tablets, ipods, ipads, some desktops
Accessories
soft carrying case
AC power adapter/ 2 prong power plug
4 foot charging cable with USB micro type B connector on one end and the regular USB type A on the other end
owners manual
Pros
nice quality sound, can be used to charge external devices, carrying case, long battery life, nice design, portable
Cons
no speakerphone, battery not replaceable,
JBL Charge Customer Reviews
There are literally hundreds of reviews as this is a popular product and is it fairly a unanimous….great sound, long battery life, sound quality compares to wireless speakers in higher price ranges, excellent value for the price!
Price
We totally agree with the reviews….this speaker delivers, it is a no frills, good sounding small wireless speaker, exceptional for the current price. We give it a solid 4.7 rating. Sure you can get speakerphones in other offerings in this price range, but we would trade the speakerphone for a better sounding speaker any day. We also like the security of having extra battery power if needed and you get that here as well.
For Current Pricing Click Below!
