JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker vs LG Gram 17 (2024) Lightweight Laptop (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

9.3/10 Excellent

4.7★ (36,000 owners)

IP67 waterproof, 20-hour battery, powerbank built in. The portable speaker that actually travels.

Full Review

LG Gram 17 (2024) Lightweight Laptop

9.0/10 Excellent

4.4★ (2,800 owners)

17" IPS, Core Ultra 7, 1.35kg, MIL-SPEC, 80Wh, Thunderbolt 4. Lightest 17-inch laptop.

Full Review

At a Glance

	JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker	LG Gram 17 (2024) Lightweight Laptop
247Verdict Score	9.3/10	9.0/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (36,000)	4.4★ (2,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent
Battery	20 hours	80Wh (10+ hours)
Weight	960g	1.35kg (lightest 17-inch)

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker edges ahead with a 9.3/10 vs 9.0/10. IP67 waterproof, 20-hour battery, powerbank built in. The portable speaker that actually travels. That said, the LG Gram 17 (2024) Lightweight Laptop is worth considering if 17" IPS, Core Ultra 7, 1.35kg, MIL-SPEC, 80Wh, Thunderbolt 4. Lightest 17-inch laptop. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

IP67 fully waterproof AND dustproof — genuinely poolside and beach safe
20-hour battery outlasts every competing speaker at this price
Built-in powerbank charges your phone on the go
Loud enough for outdoor use — rarely needs full volume
JBL PartyBoost links multiple speakers for wider coverage

Bass is strong but can overpower mids at high volume
No built-in voice assistant
Heavier than UE Boom 3 at 960g

LG Gram 17 (2024) Lightweight Laptop

1.35kg — lightest 17-inch laptop available, lighter than most 14-inch competitors
MIL-STD-810H certification at 17-inch — military durability testing in the largest mainstream laptop
80Wh battery delivers genuine 10+ hour runtime for a 17-inch panel
Thunderbolt 4 connects multiple 4K displays or fast external storage
17-inch IPS display provides the most screen real estate of any reviewed laptop

Core Ultra 7 battery trails Apple M3 efficiency for equivalent workloads
17-inch limits portability vs 13-14 inch alternatives for daily carry
IPS display less vibrant than OLED alternatives in the 14-inch category

FAQ

Which is better, JBL Charge 5 Portable or LG Gram 17 (2024)?

Is the JBL Charge 5 Portable worth the extra cost?

Yes — JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker scores higher at 9.3/10 vs 9.0/10.

Who is the JBL Charge 5 Portable best suited to?

IP67 waterproof, 20-hour battery, powerbank built in. The portable speaker that actually travels.

Who is the LG Gram 17 (2024) best suited to?

17" IPS, Core Ultra 7, 1.35kg, MIL-SPEC, 80Wh, Thunderbolt 4. Lightest 17-inch laptop.

What are the main downsides of each?

JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker: Bass is strong but can overpower mids at high volume; No built-in voice assistant. LG Gram 17 (2024) Lightweight Laptop: Core Ultra 7 battery trails Apple M3 efficiency for equivalent workloads; 17-inch limits portability vs 13-14 inch alternatives for daily carry.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — JBL Charge 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker sits at 4.7★ from 36,000 verified Amazon owners, and LG Gram 17 (2024) Lightweight Laptop at 4.4★ from 2,800.

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