JBL has officially launched the Pulse 6, the newest entry in its long-running lineup of Bluetooth speakers that double as ambient light shows. It’s a $329.95 speaker — $80 more than the Pulse 5 cost at launch — that keeps the series’ signature 360-degree lightshow while adding a new illuminated carrying handle, built from what JBL says is 93 percent recycled metal, giving the whole thing a lantern-like look.
The lighting is still the headline act here, as it’s been since the Pulse series debuted back in 2013. The Pulse 6 ships with 16 total themes managed through the JBL One app, split between six higher-energy party modes (Neon, Loop, Bounce, Trim, Switch, and Freeze) and ten calmer ambient options (Universe, Firefly, Sea, Campfire, Aurora, Blossom, Cheers, Storm, Sky, and Hover). There’s also a Bedside Lamp mode that kicks in with a double-tap when nothing’s playing, and a Sunset mode that slowly dims the lights over a set countdown if you’d rather ease into the evening than rage through it.
On the audio side, JBL is leaning on something it’s calling AI Sound Boost, which analyzes whatever’s playing in real time and adjusts the acoustic output to reduce distortion. JBL also says it reworked the internal acoustic layout for deeper bass and a more balanced 360-degree soundstage. Rounding out the spec sheet: Bluetooth 6.0, Auracast support for syncing audio with other compatible JBL speakers, IP68 water and dust resistance, and up to 12 hours of battery life.
The Pulse 6 is available now through JBL’s website and select retailers, with shipments that were set to begin on September 6th — though as of this writing, JBL’s own site still lists it as “coming soon” and Amazon shows it as currently unavailable, so it may take a bit for stock to actually catch up with the announcement.
