Esquire Editors’ 4 Favorite Bluetooth Speakers

I’ve gone on the record loving JBL products, and the brand-new Charge 6 Bluetooth speaker is an exercise in continued excellence, something we know a thing or two about here at Esquire. Music is thumping and podcasts are clear when I listen with this speaker. It comes with a small and easy-to-attach carrying strap, perfect for portability. And with a dust- and water-resistance rating of IP68, it’s the most waterproof speaker on this list, making it the best for enjoying summer’s bounty.

Battery-wise, this speaker is our clear winner. Which makes sense, because the Charge speakers can also be used as a power source for your USB-C compatible phone (or other device of a similar voltage). It’s a great emergency option if you need a little extra juice before Google Maps-ing your way home from the beach.

That being said, JBL commits a grade-A packaging sin. The Charge 6 (the speaker that charges) doesn’t come with a charging cable. Do I already have a million USB-Cs? Sure, but this is going to be someone’s first USB-C speaker.