JBLCharge 6, Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker, 28 Hours of Playtime, IP68 Waterproof, Dustproof and Drop-Proof, Pro Sound with AI Sound Boost, Auracast Multi-Speaker Connection, Black

This speaker sounds pretty good for it's size, I bought it co's I have 2 JBL Xtreme 4's and a few JBL Clip 5's, so I can Auracast them together, they sound awesome 🙂

Impressive sound and build quality

I carry this portable speaker to poolside gatherings and park picnics. Its bass response surprises me for its size—tracks feel punchy without distortion. AI-driven volume boost kicks in when I raise the level, keeping voices and beats crisp even outdoors.It survived a tumble off a picnic table without so much as a crack, and I’ve rinsed it under the tap to clear sand and dust. The built-in battery bank charges my phone twice before the speaker needs its own top-up. I dock one star because it takes a while to charge fully, and pairing with multiple units can be finicky. Still, it reliably keeps music going for more than a full day’s use, making it an essential for small gatherings or weekend adventures.

This wireless portable Bluetooth speaker from JBL not only looks good but also sounds really good. There is a lovely deep booming base and crystal-clear treble from the lowest volume, right up to the (very loud, easily filling a largish room) maximum, with little noticeable distortion. When it comes to build quality, everything looks and feels quality, which you would expect given the price.Pairing the speaker to a phone or iPod is quick and easy. It can also be paired to various Amazon Echo devices. I did, however, find that on occasions it wouldn’t pair straight away to my iPhone and that I had to forget that device before pairing it again.If desired, you can create stereo sound by linking two Charge 6 speakers but at around £170 each that gets quite expensive!There is a nice strong carry handle which is easy to connect and disconnect as required.A full charge takes approx. 3hrs and is claimed to then provide 28hrs playing time. The speaker can also be used as a power bank to recharge your phone or other device.The speaker is reasonably large (a bit bigger than two baked bean cans laid end to end) and heavy, at 1.37Kg so might not be something that you would pack if flying with a limited baggage allowance.

The JBL Charge 6 delivers impressive audio performance with its upgraded 53 x 93 mm woofer and 20 mm tweeter providing deeper bass and clearer highs. Its AI Sound Boost technology adapts to your music in real-time, enhancing acoustic output while minimising distortion. With an IP68 rating it's waterproof, dust proof, and drop-proof making it ideal for outdoor adventures. The 28-hour battery life ensures extended playtime and the built-in power bank allows you to charge your devices on the go.

I ordered this to be able to take music with me when away from home, holidays days out at the beach etc.Firstly the speaker is very easy to setup taking just a few moments to pair with my phone.In operation the speaker offers a really solid and punchy soundscape. The sound is lovely and clear with a really good amount of base. This is a great speaker for listening to music. The speaker will fill a decent sized room easily. The sound stays nice and clear without distortion all the way to loud volumes. It probably just starts to lose some finesse in the last 5% to max volume or so.The speaker comes with a carry handle which is really easy to attach. The handle feels nice and solid and makes makes carrying the speaker with you really easy, a really nice addition.For the price (£169.99 at the time of writing) this provides real bang for buck. If you are looking for a quality portable speaker then I can highly recommend this one.

I’ve never owned a JBL speaker - or, in fact, any portable speaker of this kind - so I don’t have much to compare it to. I’m also not an audiophile, so take my comments on sound quality with that in mind. What I can say is that I’m thoroughly impressed.Pairing the JBL Charge 6 was straightforward, especially with the JBL app guiding the process. The speaker gives a small chime when devices connect or disconnect. While this is a minor detail during setup, it’s very helpful for day-to-day use.To me, the sound is fantastic and far beyond what I expected from such a compact device. Using Spotify Premium as the source, I tried a wide mix of artists (Adele, The Prodigy, Queen, Pendulum, Linkin Park, Taylor Swift, plus a bunch of unfamiliar ones), and the speaker sounded great with everything. It only started to sound strained at the absolute top of the volume range, by which point it was already uncomfortably loud in my small room (3m x 3m). In a much larger room (about 9m x 9m), it filled the space well without feeling overwhelmed.With that being said, I did feel the bass was a little underwhelming. It’s there and is fine, but I personally prefer a more satisfyingly rumbly low end. Not overpowering, but more presence than this delivers.After being impressed by the default sound, I started reading more about the speaker and found out you can tweak the sound using the app’s EQ. For someone who knows what they’re doing, this is probably a big plus. I, however, don’t and after trying a few presets and fiddling with the sliders, I ended up right back on the default “JBL Signature” setting, which sounded best to me. Your mileage will undoubtedly vary on this though.I don’t use high-definition or lossless audio services, and probably wouldn’t notice the difference anyway. For those who do, it’s worth noting that you can connect directly to the speaker via USB-C for even better sound quality.The app also includes a “Party Mode” to link multiple speakers. I only have one, so I wasn’t able to try it out—but I’m very curious about hearing this speaker in stereo mode with a second unit. If one sounds this good, I imagine two would be even more impressive.JBL claims the Charge 6 is IP68-rated and can survive a 1m drop onto concrete. I’ll take their word for it and leave the testing to YouTubers chasing clicks.Battery life is stated at up to 28 hours; 24 standard and an extra 4 with Playtime Boost. That’s plenty for a day out or weekend away. And with compact power banks being so common now, it’s rarely an issue. In a home setting, the battery life just means you will likely have long periods inbetween charges, which is great.I genuinely really like this speaker. As someone new to this type of product, it’s been a surprisingly enjoyable experience. There are probably better portable speakers out there, but I’m certain there are far more that are worse. At £169.99 (at the time of review), it's not cheap but it doesn’t feel overpriced either. If you’re considering getting two for stereo, it starts to become more of a decision but based on my experience, I’m definitely tempted.If you’re anything like me (curious, not an audiophile, and looking for a solid all-rounder) I don't feel like you will be disappointed. JBL has made a seriously good speaker here.