New JBL portable speakers take on Sonos with Wi-Fi and Dolby Atmos support

JBL Charge 5 Wi-Fi on white surface, with a colorful background behind it
(Image credit: JBL)

Two of the best Bluetooth speakers from JBL have got a hefty upgrade, adding a host of Wi-Fi enabled capabilities and improved connection features, alongside JBL’s first-ever implementation of Dolby Atmos in a portable speaker.

The Boombox 3 and Charge 5 speakers were already solid options for a Bluetooth portable speaker, but have now ascended to a new level of convenience in their new forms: the JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi and JBL Charge 5 Wi-Fi.

When we reviewed the compact JBL Charge 5 back in 2021, we were impressed by its balanced sound quality, 20-hour battery life, and impactful volume – though the new Charge 5 Wi-Fi also updates its Bluetooth to the latest 5.3 standard, along with Wi-Fi support that lets you stream in higher-quality through music streaming services such as Apple Music.

Both models get a medley of Wi-Fi enabled features, including Apple AirPlay 2 for iOS users, Alexa’s Multi-Room Music extension that lets you command speakers across your home, and even Chromecast support. But they also benefit from the higher bandwidth of a Wi-Fi connection compared to Bluetooth. It puts the Charge 5 Wi-Fi even more more directly in line with the super-popular Sonos Roam speaker, and the Boombox 3 Wi-Fi even closer to the Sonos Move.

The larger and higher-specified JBL Boombox 3 is alone in getting Dolby Atmos support – the first time JBL has done this in a portable speaker (but the company knows the tech well from its soundbars, such as the hugely impressive JBL Bar 1300X. The Atmos audio is currently limited to the Tidal streaming service, though, which has to be linked through the JBL One app. Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited HD both support it too, so we hope there'll be support for them in the future.

You’re paying a little more for the Wi-Fi versions of these speakers, with the Boombox 3 Wi-Fi costing £549 (around $680 / AU$1,000) instead of its former £446 price tag, while the Charge 5 Wi-Fi will set you back £229 (around $280 / AU$430 instead of £140. We're still waiting on confirmed US/Aus pricing. The products will be available in mid-May 2023.

For the latter model, it’s almost doubled in price, though the new smart features may be enough of a convenience to sway you next time you’re in need of a good Bluetooth speaker.

JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi on white background

(Image credit: JBL)

Go big and go home

Both of these models offer a sturdy construction and solid water resistance, making it great for trips out of the home, into nature or even the beach and swimming pools, alongside long battery life (20-24 hours) that mean they don’t need to be permanently wedded to a plug socket in your living room. 

The Wi-Fi support is all about making these better at-home speakers too, with the improved capabilities and higher-resolution sound afford by that. So while you’re paying a little more, you’re also getting portable speakers that can double as both on-the-go sound machines and in multi-room music systems. The Charge 5 would be perfect for the bathroom, even if it costs a lot more than Ikea's shower-friendly $15 waterproof speaker.

While Sonos is usually a byword for quality sound, we've often found the JBL equivalent portable speakers to be meatier in a way that works well outdoors. And the Atmos-compatible Boombox 3 has a slight advantage on paper at its price point compared to the Sonos Move – and we bet it'll take a tumble better.

Henry St Leger

Henry is a freelance technology journalist, and former News & Features Editor for TechRadar, where he specialized in home entertainment gadgets such as TVs, projectors, soundbars, and smart speakers. Other bylines include Edge, T3, iMore, GamesRadar, NBC News, Healthline, and The Times.

Read more
JBL Flip 6
JBL Flip 7 and Charge 6 Bluetooth speakers' official launch details leak, including an AI sound mode that I think is a perfect fit for them
JBL Charge 6
JBL's new Bluetooth speakers bring all the upgrades I most wanted to see, and they're coming soon
Soundcore Boom 2 and Earfun UBoom X on split purple/light blue background
Anker Soundcore Boom 2 vs Earfun UBoom X: battle of the budget Bluetooth party speaker
LG XBoom Go XG2T and JBL Clip 5 on white and black background
LG XBoom Go XG2T vs JBL Clip 5: which mini Bluetooth speaker will reign supreme?
JBL Xtreme 4 party speaker with the techradar logo behind it
Best party speakers 2025 for all budgets, chosen by our expert audio reviewers
LG xboom by will.i.am speakers at CES 2025
I heard LG's new speakers made with will.i.am, and I kind of love them
Latest in Speakers
Audioengine A2+ speakers viewed from the front
I tested Audioengine's tiny wireless speakers with a beautiful design and surprisingly impressive audio performance
Brown walnut loudspeaker with black detailing
Wharfedale's new strictly limited-edition stereo speakers are custom-crafted and surprisingly affordable (for this kind of thing)
The Fluance Ri71 speaker in a wood finish, in front of a plant
Fluance's new active stereo speakers look like a dream soundbar alternative, as well as being perfect for turntables or Bluetooth music
The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro Edition on a shelf with a pink light on next to a music player.
I reviewed the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro wireless speaker, and this beauty is the best one-box wireless speaker you can get for this price
Focal Utopia Main UM 212 in a recording studio
I'm no pro sound engineer, but if I was, Focal's Utopia Main would be the studio monitors for me
The StormBerg Twin 2 speaker at CES 2025
The 5 best speakers of CES 2025
Latest in News
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough
Brad Pitt looks over his right shoulder with 'F1' written behind him
Apple Original Films will take you behind-the-scenes of a racing cockpit in this new thrilling F1 movie trailer
AI writer
Coding AI tells developer to write it himself
Reacher looking down at another character from the Prime Video TV series Reacher
Reacher season 3 becomes Prime Video’s biggest returning show thanks to Hollywood’s biggest heavyweight
Finger Presses Orange Button Domain Name Registration on Black Keyboard Background. Closeup View
I visited the world’s first registered .com domain – and you won’t believe what it’s offering today
Image showing detail of the Leica D-Lux 8
Still can't get a Fujifilm X100VI? This premium Leica compact costs less, and it's in stock