All products featured are independently chosen by us. However, SoundGuys may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links. See our ethics statement.
Here's how to connect multiple JBL speakers together
JBL’s wireless speakers are top quality and come with some nifty features. For example, you can hook several speakers to work as a single unit. However, not all speakers work together because JBL has different standards — PartyBoost and Connect+ — that are not cross-compatible.
We’ll guide you through the connection standards and show you how to connect JBL speakers together so you can get the party started quickly.
QUICK ANSWER
To connect multiple JBL speakers, pair a primary JBL speaker to your phone. Then, press the Connect buttons on the other speakers you wish to activate. Finally, use the JBL Portable app to choose between Party and Stereo modes.
For this to work, the speakers have to be compatible. JBL Connect+ speakers connect to one another, and it’s the same for JBL PartyBoost speakers. However, they’re not cross-compatible.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
Can you connect multiple JBL speakers together?
JBL has two primary connection standards: Connect+ and PartyBoost. Speakers that support a particular standard are compatible with one another but incompatible with those of the other. For example, you can connect PartyBoost speakers like the JBL Flip 5 and Charge 5 together but not the Flip 5 and the Flip 4, which uses Connect+.
Here’s a list of compatible JBL PartyBoost and Connect+ speakers:
| JBL PartyBoost | JBL Connect+ | |
|---|---|---|
Models | JBL PartyBoost JBL Boombox 2 JBL Boombox 3 JBL Charge 5 JBL Flip 5 JBL Flip 6 JBL Pulse 4 JBL Pulse 5 JBL Xtreme 3 JBL Xtreme 4 | JBL Connect+ JBL Boombox JBL Charge 3 JBL Charge 4 JBL Flip 4 JBL Pulse 3 JBL Xtreme 2 |
Total number of speakers | JBL PartyBoost 100.0 | JBL Connect+ 100.0 |
Audio modes | JBL PartyBoost Stereo Party | JBL Connect+ Stereo Party |
Compatibility | JBL PartyBoost PartyBoost speakers | JBL Connect+ Connect+ speakers |
App | JBL PartyBoost JBL Portable (Android/iOS) | JBL Connect+ JBL Portable (Android/iOS) |
How to connect multiple JBL speakers together
Connecting multiple JBL speakers together is easy whether your model supports PartyBoost or Connect+, and we’ll show you how:
PartyBoost
Here’s how to connect JBL speakers together using the PartyBoost standard:
- Download the JBL Portable app for Android or iOS. This will allow you to control the speaker network.
- Press the speaker’s Bluetooth button to put it in pairing mode.
- Go to Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device on your phone. The exact path may be different depending on your phone.
- Tap the JBL speaker’s name to select it. Your JBL PartyBoost speaker is now connected to your phone and will be the primary speaker.
- Press the Connect button on subsequent speakers you wish to connect.
- It can take up to 30 seconds for all speakers to connect.
- Within the JBL Portable app, choose between Stereo or Party mode.
Connect+
Here’s how to connect JBL speakers together using the Connect+ standard:
- Download the JBL Portable Android or iOS app.
- Press the speaker’s Bluetooth button to put it in pairing mode.
- Go to Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device on your phone.
- Tap the JBL speaker’s name to pair it.
- Press the Connect button on subsequent speakers you wish to connect. It may take around 30 seconds for all speakers to connect.
- Within the JBL Portable app, select Stereo or Party mode.
How to unpair speakers from JBL Connect+ and PartyBoost
If you need to disconnect a single speaker for any reason, such as a friend leaving the party early and taking their speaker with them, press the Power button on said speaker. This works for both PartyBoost and Connect+ speakers and won’t affect the rest of the connection.
Press the Connect button on the primary speaker to disconnect all speakers from the network.