You want portable sound. Not just something that plays music, but something that feels ready—whether you’re hitting a muddy trail, hosting a barbecue, or just placing it on your shelf like it belongs there. That’s where the JBL Charge 5 and the Marshall Emberton II come in. Two very different personalities, one shared mission: bring your music to life, wherever you are.
And let’s be clear—this isn’t just about looks. These two speakers might share IP ratings and battery claims, but once you dive into sound performance, features, and practical use, the differences start stacking up. We’ve tested both in real scenarios—indoor and out, quiet and loud—and the choice gets clearer the more you use them.
Two designs, two vibes: which one fits your life?
You can spot the difference from across the room. The JBL Charge 5 is loud before you even turn it on. Not literally—but visually. It’s got this chunky, bold, modern design, wrapped in textured mesh, with colors that range from subtle black and gray to full-on turquoise and red. It looks like it wants to be taken outside.
Then there’s the Marshall Emberton II, which whispers instead of shouts. With its compact, rectangular build, gold-accented analog knob, and textured faux-leather shell, it leans hard into that old-school amp aesthetic. It feels more like a piece of furniture than a tech gadget, and that’s part of its charm.
Size-wise, you’ll notice it in your bag. The Charge 5 is longer—22.3 cm vs. the Emberton’s 16 cm—and it weighs 960 grams, compared to just 700 grams for the Marshall. The weight isn’t a dealbreaker, but it does matter if you’re tight on space or packing light. The Emberton II wins on portability, no question.
Let’s talk volume—JBL doesn’t hold back
Once you press play, the roles reverse. The JBL Charge 5 is flat-out louder, bolder, and deeper. It pushes out a total of 40 watts—30 from the woofer, 10 from a dedicated tweeter. That split means highs and lows have their own space to breathe, and it’s something you hear instantly when the beat drops or vocals soar.
The Marshall Emberton II is no slouch, but it maxes out at 20 watts total, and both drivers are full-range. So while the sound is balanced, you don’t get the same punch, especially outdoors. It’s clean, it’s warm, but it doesn’t fill a big space the way the Charge 5 does.
Where Marshall fights back is in sound dispersion. Its “True Stereophonic” system pumps audio evenly in all directions, so in a small room, or if you’re moving around, it always sounds balanced. JBL? More directional. Great in front of it, less so behind it. It’s the difference between “room-filling” and “focused projection.”
Battery: more hours vs. more features
At first glance, you think Marshall wins this one, and you’re not wrong. The Emberton II promises over 30 hours of playback, compared to JBL’s 20-hour claim on the Charge 5. That’s a pretty big gap if you’re out for a weekend and don’t want to think about charging.
Plus, Marshall charges fully in 3 hours, and 20 minutes gives you around 4 hours of use. That quick top-up is surprisingly handy when you’re rushing out. JBL takes 4 hours for a full charge, and it doesn’t offer fast charge.
But wait—JBL has a trick. It doubles as a power bank. That’s right, the Charge 5 can charge your phone or other devices via USB, even while playing music. If you’re camping or off-grid, that’s not a small deal. It’s not faster—but it’s more helpful.
Bluetooth and pairing: flexibility vs simplicity
Both speakers rock Bluetooth 5.1, so you’re getting a stable, modern connection with decent range and battery efficiency. But the differences start with how they link up with other speakers.
JBL Charge 5 uses PartyBoost, which means you can sync it with any other JBL speaker that supports PartyBoost, not just another Charge 5. Want to pair it with a Flip 6 or a Pulse 5? Go for it. That kind of flexibility is a win if you already own—or plan to buy—more JBL gear.
The Emberton II uses “Stack Mode,” which is more restrictive. You can only pair it with another Emberton II. It works, but it’s a closed circle. If you’re not buying multiples, it won’t matter—but if you are, JBL gives you more freedom.
Both brands offer apps—JBL Portable and Marshall Bluetooth—but they’re pretty basic. You get firmware updates, simple EQ tweaks, pairing help. Nothing groundbreaking, but still useful.
Toughness: neither one’s a diva
Outdoors? Poolside? Dusty patio? You’re covered either way. Both the Charge 5 and Emberton II carry an IP67 rating, which means they’re fully waterproof and dustproof. Drop them in the pool, no problem. Drag them through a sandy trail, they’ll keep going.
The Charge 5 looks like it wants to be dropped. It’s chunky, grippy, and its mesh wrap is ready for scuffs. The Emberton II feels more like a vintage radio, but don’t be fooled. It’s just as tough—dense, rubberized, and deceptively rugged. You can throw either one in a bag and stop worrying.
No carrying cases included, though. You’ll have to add that yourself if you want extra padding.
Simplicity in controls, but one wins on charm
Neither speaker comes with a microphone, so don’t expect voice assistants or speakerphone functions. They’re strictly music machines.
JBL gives you clear buttons on top—volume, play/pause, pairing, PartyBoost. Tactile, no surprises. Works great.
Marshall? It gives you a little vintage theater. One multi-directional brass knob controls everything—volume, play, pause, track skip, power—all in one. It’s not just practical, it’s satisfying, like turning up an amp before a gig.
Design lovers will notice. And yeah, that tactile knob just feels cooler.
Think about where you’ll use it most
This might be the most important part. The JBL Charge 5 is built for open space, loud moments, and long distances. Crank it up outside, let it fight the wind and chatter—it’ll cut through.
The Marshall Emberton II? It thrives indoors. Its sound is more immersive in a room, more controlled, and more refined. If you care about how it looks on your desk or shelf, it’s a piece you’ll actually want to show off.
We’ve used both in multiple places. And while either speaker can flex into different environments, they’re clearly tuned for different vibes.
It’s close—but not that close
Here’s the thing: the Marshall Emberton II is stylish, well-built, and sounds great in smaller spaces. It has longer battery life and a faster recharge, and that all matters.
But the JBL Charge 5 simply brings more to the table. More power, a better driver system, pairing flexibility, and the bonus of being a phone charger in a pinch. Yes, it’s bigger. Yes, it’s heavier. But if you want something that feels more complete, more outdoors-ready, and more musically aggressive, the Charge 5 is the speaker that keeps showing up ready to go.
And that’s what wins it the top spot here. Not because the Marshall fails—but because the JBL Charge 5 just covers more ground without asking for anything in return. It’s your road trip speaker, your beach-day boombox, your all-night playlist machine.
So unless your vibe is strictly vintage and you want a speaker that doubles as decor, the JBL Charge 5 is the smarter move. It’s louder, tougher, and just plain more useful. And honestly, that’s what a portable speaker should be.