The 2nd Gen Flex and Charge 5 both have areas of strengths, but also have their limitations
Both JBL and Bose are renowned for their high-quality Bluetooth speakers, but with the SoundLink Flex having just undergone an overhaul, how does it compare with the older Charge 5? Both speakers are compact enough for daily use and are popular choices for the average music-lover who wants a speaker they can use with friends or family. If you’re torn between these two models, keep reading as this comparison will help you make the right choice.
Editor’s Note: You may also be interested in seeing our comparisons between the old and new SoundLink Flex, as well as how the original compared with the Charge 5.
Key Takeaways:
- The SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) is better for the outdoors, being more portable and durable.
- Although the SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) has a slightly better sound, the Charge 5 gets louder.
- The Charge 5 has significantly longer battery life.
- Both speakers still hold value when purchased on a discount.
Winner
Bose SoundLink Flex (Gen 2)
The SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) is more durable, easier to carry and better-sounding than the Charge 5. It’s close, but the Flex ultimately comes out on top.
BOSE SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) vs JBL Charge 5 Specs
| Model | SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) | Charge 5 |
| Release Date: | Sept 2024 | Feb 2021 |
| Water Resistance | IP67 | IP67 |
| Output Power | 12W | 40W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life | Up to 12 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz – 20KHz | 60Hz – 20KHz |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Multispeaker Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs | 2.11 lbs |
| Dimensions | 7.91 x 2.05 x 3.54″ | 8.7 x 3.76 x 3.67″ |
| App Support | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes (JBL Portable) |
| Price: | Check Price | Check Price |
Design, Build, & Durability
Summary: Both speakers are great for outdoor use with dust and water resistance, but the Flex’s drop resistant design and light weight makes it a better outdoor speaker.
Durability & Waterproofing
Winner: Bose SoundLink Flex (Gen 2)
Although both speakers are durable enough to use outdoors, with the highest degree of dust and water resistance found on commercial speakers, the Bose SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) has the added benefit of a drop-resistance rating. There are also some accents on the Charge 5, most notably the strips on the base, that aren’t the most durable. There are some batches where these stability strips can peel off easily.
Portability
Winner: Bose SoundLink Flex (Gen 2)
The Charge 5 and SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) are relatively small speakers, but the Charge is slightly larger and heavier (around 1 lbs difference). The Flex’s slightly more compact design and built-in carry loop makes it a bit easier to carry around where the Charge 5 can sometimes feel like a handful, especially to those with smaller hands. The strap also lets one attach the SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) to a backpack or belt loop with a carabiner, and since it weighs just over 1 pound it doesn’t feel like a burden to carry.
Controls, Connectivity & App Support
Summary: The Charge 5’s controls are good, but only the Flex (Gen 2) can skip tracks backward. Instead, the Charge 5 flexes its strengths with a much stronger Bluetooth performance, resulting in slightly lower latency and longer range. Both have apps, with the ability to create a custom EQ.
Inputs & Outputs
Winner: JBL Charge 5
The Charge 5 comes out slightly ahead regarding input and output ports. Although both speakers have a relatively dialed back approach to additional connectivity, the Charge 5 has a USB output for charging your phone, which the SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) does not.
Controls
Winner: Bose SoundLink Flex
The controls on both the Charge 5 and SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) are easy to use. However, the SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) is the only one of these two speakers that will let you skip tracks backward without using your phone. Additionally, the buttons on the Flex can be used for managing phone calls, while the Charge 5 doesn’t support voice calls.
Wireless Connectivity
Winner: JBL Charge 5
The Charge 5 uses Bluetooth 5.1 while the SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) uses the newer Bluetooth 5.3 protocol. The latency is similar between both speakers, but the Charge 5’s Bluetooth receiver is slightly better and gives additional range.
Multi-Speaker Pairing
Winner: JBL Charge 5
Both speakers support multi-speaker pairing, offering both party pairing (for larger groups of speakers) or TWS/Stereo pairing, which only supports two speakers of the same model, but separates the sound between each speaker so that they sound like stereo speakers. The Charge 5 uses PartyBoost and can connect to a larger range of speakers in a general multi-speaker pairing than the Bose. It’s this wide range of pairing possibilities that gives the Charge 5 a slight edge.
App Support
Winner: Tied
Both speakers come with companion app support, and the new iteration of the SoundLink Flex gets additional control over the original, with the noteworthy inclusion of an EQ feature which lets you pick between several presets or set your own custom EQ.
Audio Performance
Summary: Side by side, these two speakers sound somewhat similar, but the Charge 5 is slightly more detailed. However, the Flex has a better sound signature with more bass and clarity in the highs. The Charge 5 gets a bit louder than the Flex though – so ultimately it comes down to what you prefer.
Frequency Response
Winner: Bose SoundLink Flex (Gen 2)
When listening to these speakers side by side, you’ll immediately notice that the SoundLink Flex is a bit brighter and more detailed, that’s cause it has more balance in the highs. The bass performance is also similar, but sadly falls short of the bass of its predecessor.
The Charge 5’s frequency response is far from terrible, but the reduced highs and somewhat lackluster low-end means the SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) is able to produce what is overall a more clear, defined and bassy sound.
Soundstage & Dynamics
Winner: JBL Charge 5
Since the SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) makes use of a single full-range driver, it’s somewhat limited in its soundstage. The Charge 5’s separate tweeter gives it a slight advantage in this regard, but neither speaker is particularly immersive, a common trend among speakers of this size format.
Dynamic performance is also very similar between them, but the Charge 5 manages to retain more detail at the same volume output. It’s also able to get quite a bit louder than the Flex.
Volume
Winner: JBL Charge 5
Surprisingly, the volume levels of the SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) are less impressive than the original Flex, and when compared with the Charge 5, it isn’t able to get nearly as loud. The Flex can barely fill a small room, while the Charge 5 manages to do so a bit better.
Battery & Charging
Winner: JBL Charge 5
The JBL Charge 5 is the clear winner when it comes to the amount of playtime you’re going to get off a single charge. The SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) offers a modest playtime of up to 12 hours, which actually lasts closer to 7 hours. The Charge 5 is rated to last for 20 hours but gives closer to 14 hours playtime at moderate volume levels.
Charging on both speakers is done via USB-C and the Bose SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) charges significantly quicker than the Charge 5, at around 3 hours vs 4 hours.
Price & Value
The JBL Charge 5 has a higher retail price than the SoundLink Flex (Gen 2), at $179 versus $149 respectively. However, both speakers are sometimes available at discounted prices of between $110 and $130. At their retail prices, both speakers feel slightly overpriced, especially when we compare the performance of the Flex Gen 2 with the original Flex.
When compared them to other similar speakers, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 is a good alternative, it’s broad sound dispersion gives it better soundstage than the Flex and Charge, while its bass-heavy sound will appeal to those looking for a lot of thump in their music.
Conclusion
Overall, the Bose SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) and Charge 5 go toe-to-toe and are comparable in most areas. The Flex is a more durable speaker and is easier to carry around, while the Charge 5 gets a bit louder. Both speakers offer excellent value, but I’d recommend the SoundLink Flex (Gen 2) over the Charge 5 because of its sleeker design and better frequency response.
