PORTABLE PARTY

In case you’re looking for a speaker that doesn’t need to be tethered to a power socket at all times, this bunch like nothing better than hitting the road

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Glower pair

The JBL logos on both sides have subtle orange accents; the other one sits above a vertical LED bar to show how much battery power is left.

Rockin' share

The Charge 5 is juiced via a USB-C socket on the side, which sits next to a rubber flap protecting a USB-A port for charging your phone.

JBL CHARGE 5

Key specs 3.5x2in bass driver, 0.8in tweeter, 2x passive bass radiators, 40W Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C charging, USB-A out 223x97x94mm, 960g

It’s not difficult to find a speaker the size of a grapefruit (and with similar sonic properties), but when you need something with a bit more bass it’s time to call in the heavies.

Enter JBL’s Charge 5, a 960g cylinder that’s not only IP67 rated against water and dust but is also as tough as Simone Biles’ toes, complete with grippy rubberised base.