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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Erin Bashford

I tested the JBL Xtreme 5 for a week and I'm obsessed — this upgrade needs to come to every Bluetooth speaker

JBL Tom Guide Tribit
The jbl xtreme 5 with water splashing on it outside in the park showing its waterproofing.

I've tested tons of the best Bluetooth speakers, but none hold as special a place in my heart as the JBL Xtreme series. I loved the Xtreme 4 back when it was released in 2024, and I love the Xtreme 5 in 2026. Though pricey, these are the two boombox-meets-portable party speakers I'd invest in for myself.

But the Xtreme 5 comes with one major upgrade I've never personally seen on a speaker before — not one I've tested myself, anyway. The Xtreme 5 has an IP68 rating, meaning it has the highest-possible durability rating. Yes, this speaker is not only 99.9% waterproof, dustproof, it's now drop-proof, too.

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