Short answer: the Anker Soundcore Mini. It ranks #13 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $30; the JBL Clip 5 ranks #21 and costs $69.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Anker Soundcore Mini offers: Has an FM tuner, aux input and MicroSD. Watch for: Not quite as deep of bass as higher ranked speakers.
On the JBL Clip 5 side: JBL Portable app adds custom EQ. Set against that: Generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound but with more features.
Buy the Anker Soundcore Mini. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Clip 5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Clip 5 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Anker Soundcore Mini at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Anker Soundcore Mini | JBL Clip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $30 | $69.95 |
| Ranked | #13 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #21 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 200 g | 0.6 lbs / 285 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.3 |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours | - |
| Output Power | 5W | 7W |
| Dimensions | 3.7" x 3.6" x 3.6" (94 x 92 x 91 mm) | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2" (50mm) full-range driver + 1x passive radiator | 1x ~50mm (2") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- Earfun Uboom L vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- JBL Clip 4 vs JBL Go 4
- Tribit PocketGo vs JBL Clip 5
- JBL Clip 5 vs JBL Go 4
The Two Speakers In Full
Anker Soundcore Mini: $30 Amazon
Pros: Has an FM tuner, aux input and MicroSD. Quite cheap
Cons: Not quite as deep of bass as higher ranked speakers. No waterproofing
Full Anker Soundcore Mini review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.7" x 3.6" x 3.6" (94 x 92 x 91 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2" (50mm) full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 200 g |
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- Links
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JBL Clip 5: $69.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: JBL Portable app adds custom EQ. Wider carabiner and thicker back padding than the Clip 4. IP67 rated. Auracast support for pairing multiple JBL speakers.
Cons: Generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound but with more features. Basically about the same as the Clip 4
Full JBL Clip 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~50mm (2") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 7W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 285 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons