Head-to-head · Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) vs JBL Charge 6

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

JBL Charge 6 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.0). JBL Charge 6 is best for: outdoor adventurers needing rugged waterproofing. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

4.0

2 sources$159as of Oct 30

The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) keeps the durable, waterproof design of its predecessor and makes minor improvements to the control interface. SoundGuys praised the rugged build and IP67 rating and called it a good match for outdoor use, while noting lackluster EQ options and minimal hardware upgrades from the original. A TechRadar user pointed to its day-to-day reliability and portability. It's a solid choice for anyone who wants a dependable portable speaker for travel or outdoor activities.

Strengths

— IP67 rugged build for dust and water resistance
— Durable rubberized finish with metal speaker grill
— Improved control strip with dedicated Play/Pause button

Watch-outs

— Minimal upgrades from 1st Gen
— Lackluster EQ options

$159 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers

JBL Charge 6

4.5

7 sources$149.95as of Oct 30

The JBL Charge 6 improves on its predecessor with IP68 water resistance, a 7-band customizable EQ, thicker rubber bumpers, and drop-proof certification. PCMag's Mark Knapp liked the rugged design and the enhanced audio features but found that the Playtime Boost feature compromises sound quality. SoundGuys reviewer Shiun Okada called out the detachable handle and improved bass response, while flagging that it isn't backward compatible with older JBL models. Outdoor users who want a durable, weatherproof speaker with sound they can tune are the audience.

Strengths

— IP68 waterproof rating allows submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes
— 7-band customizable EQ available through JBL Portable app
— Detachable handle offers dual functionality as traditional handle or carrying loop

Watch-outs

— Playtime Boost feature negatively impacts sound quality
— No backwards compatibility with older JBL speakers using Party Boost

$149.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) weighs 1.3 lb, against 2.18 lb for the JBL Charge 6 and 4.7 lb for the Bose SoundLink Max. It shares the SoundLink Max's IP67 rating, and its battery runs up to 12 hours against 20 hours for the Max and 24 for the Charge 6. Its EQ options are lackluster, where the Charge 6 has a 7-band customizable EQ, and it costs less than the SoundLink Max.

JBL Charge 6

The JBL Charge 6 is rated IP68, matching the Soundcore Boom 3i, against IP67 for the Bose SoundLink Max and Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen). Its battery is listed at 24 hours, longer than the SoundLink Max's 20 hours and the SoundLink Flex's 12 hours. It has a 7-band customizable EQ in the JBL Portable app, where the SoundLink Flex's EQ options are lackluster, and it costs less than the SoundLink Max.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)	JBL Charge 6
Weight	1.3 lb	2.18 lb
Waterproof	IP67	IP68
Battery	Up to 12 hours	24 hours (up to 28 hours with Playtime Boost)
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C	Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C (lossless audio and charging), Auracast
Dimensions	7.99 x 1.77 x 3.5 in	9.02 x 3.9 x 3.7 in
Color Options	Alpine Sage, Sandstone, Blue Dust, Black	Black, White, Pink, Red, Blue, Purple, Squad
Frequency Response	—	56 Hz - 20 kHz (-6 dB)
Wattage	—	45W

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