Bose SoundLink Flex
Score: 79/100
JBL Charge 6
Score: 86/100Rankings
The JBL Charge 6 is a rugged, feature-rich Bluetooth speaker with AI Sound Boost, 28-hour battery life and IP67 waterproof, dustproof and drop-proof durability. Its heavy weight and bulkier size, plus the lack of an included charging cable, are drawbacks. Perfect for outdoor parties and users who need a built-in powerbank.
The Bose SoundLink Flex combines IP67 durability with PositionIQ adaptive sound and up to 12 hours of playback, featuring a built-in mic and party-mode capabilities. Its modest bass and occasional short battery life are trade-offs. Suited for outdoor adventurers who value smart features and ruggedness.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
12 hours | 28 hoursbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 590 gbest | 990 g |
50.8 mm | 53 mmbest | |
— | 45 Wbest | |
9 mbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 240 minutes | 180 minutesbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(2) | ||
Battery Life (hours) | 12 hours | 28 hours |
Charging Time (minutes) | 240 minutes | 180 minutes |
Audio(1) | ||
Driver Size (mm) | 50.8 mm | 53 mm |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 590 g | 990 g |
Dimensions (H×W×D) (mm) | 71.1 x 218.4 x 120.7 mm mm | 99×229×94 mm mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consider the SoundLink Flex a solid, well-balanced portable speaker with premium build quality and useful features like PositionIQ and SimpleSync, but they criticize its modest bass, lack of true stereo without a second unit, and battery life that falls short of the advertised claim.
Everyday users generally appreciate the speaker's ruggedness, portability, and clear sound for its size, while repeatedly mentioning shorter-than-advertised battery life and the need for a second speaker to achieve true stereo as the main drawbacks.
Professional reviewers hail the Charge 6 as the top portable Bluetooth speaker for 2025 outdoor use, emphasizing its bold JBL Pro Sound with AI Sound Boost, industry-leading 28-hour battery life, rapid USB-C charging, and IP67 drop-proof durability. They also commend the full EQ control via the JBL Portable app and the new Auracast multi-speaker pairing, noting these features set it apart from earlier models.
Everyday users consistently praise the deep bass, marathon-long battery, and reliable powerbank function, especially for beach parties and poolside gatherings. Recurring complaints focus on the speaker's heft, the absence of a charging cable, occasional app connectivity hiccups, and its bulkier footprint compared to previous Charge models.
“deep bass, long battery for parties/beach days”
