This portable speaker beats the Bose SoundLink Max in key ways – for $200 less

While there are plenty of Bluetooth speakers on the market, only a few strike the balance of durability and sound quality. Bose’s SoundLink Max was one of the first I tested to bridge the gap, but JBL’s new Charge 6 is here to compete with it — and for $200 less.

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I spent an early spring weekend toting the JBL Charge 6 to a family cookout around Atlanta’s busiest outdoor space and between rooms while I completed some weekend chores. If you’re looking for a souped-up portable speaker, you’ll want to hear how it went.

The Charge 6 debuts with JBL’s proprietary AI Sound Boost, which uses an algorithm to analyze your music as it plays in real time to tweak the speaker’s EQ. According to JBL, this feature delivers maximum acoustics and decreases distortion.

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Decreasing distortion is exceptionally important, considering the Charge 6 packs a heavy bass response. At loud volumes, the bass can cause the speaker to rumble, muddy the bass, and overpower the other frequencies. Although the Charge 6 isn’t the smallest Bluetooth speaker I’ve tested, its loudness is still impressive for its frame.

If the bass gets too heavy for your liking, you can adjust the speaker’s EQ settings in the JBL Portable app. You can choose from preset EQs or create your own. The Charge 6 promises 28 hours of playtime on a single charge, four more hours than its predecessor.

Two of those extra hours are attributed to a feature called Playtime Boost, which decreases the bass strength to conserve battery. This feature was handy at my parents’ weekend cookout since I’m constantly tasked with bringing the latest speaker I’m testing for everyone to hear. However, on this particular weekend, I brought the speaker when it was on 30% battery, and I needed to keep the party going.

The Charge 6 gets its name from its device charging capabilities; if your or your buddy’s smartphone has a low battery, you can whip out your USB-C cord and plug your phone into the speaker to keep it alive.

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JBL trumpets the Charge 6’s IP68 durability rating as it’s stronger than the Bose SoundLink Max, Beats Pill (2024), and Sony ULT Field 1‘s IP67 ratings. At IP68, the Charge 6 is fully protected from dust and can survive submersion in almost five feet (1.5 meters) of water for up to 30 minutes.

However, JBL’s fine print clarifies that the Charge 6’s water durability was tested in fresh water, not salt or chlorinated water. I hypothesize that the chemicals in ocean or pool water could erode the USB-C port’s reverse charging capabilities and damage your phone. Thus, the Charge 6 will blink red if the port is still wet, discouraging you from connecting your phone.

On the contrary, the Bose SoundLink Max also has reverse charging and a weaker IP rating. Still, it will float and orient itself grille face-down to avoid internal water damage if you accidentally drop it in the ocean or pool. Bose suggests you wait until the speaker is dry to use or plug your phone into it, but Bose tested the SoundLink Max in salt and chlorinated water.

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You can orient the Charge 6 horizontally or vertically; the added carrying strap provides more portability. Compared to its predecessor, the Charge 6 offers more continuous playtime, an enhanced Bluetooth version for more stable connections and efficient power consumption, Auracast compatibility, and faster reverse charging. 

The Charge 6 is a worthy upgrade from the Charge 5, showing that JBL wisely used the Charge lineup’s four-year hiatus. It is more affordable than competitors with similar features and more advanced than competitors in the same price category.

ZDNET’s buying advice

If you want a new Bluetooth speaker packed with features and practical durability, the JBL Charge 6 is an excellent choice. It sounds great, has a lengthy battery life, and includes Auracast, which allows you to connect the speaker to an unlimited number of other Auracast-enabled speakers for the ultimate party.

If you want a durable speaker with reverse charging and a more stylish and nondescript design, consider the Bose SoundLink Max, but be prepared to pay a premium for it.