Short answer: the Anker Soundcore Mini. It ranks #13 of 46 small speakers at $30; the JBL Go 5 ranks #24 and costs $44.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Anker Soundcore Mini gets right: Has an FM tuner, aux input and MicroSD. Set against that: Not quite as deep of bass as higher ranked speakers.
On the JBL Go 5 side: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking. Set against that: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights.
Buy the Anker Soundcore Mini if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Go 5 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Anker Soundcore Mini | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $30 | $44.95 |
| Ranked | #13 of 46 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 46 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | None | IP68 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 200 g | 0.5 lbs / 230 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Stereo | No | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Output Power | 5W | 4.8W |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 6.9" x 6.9" | 3.98" x 3.03" x 1.69" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2" (50mm) full-range driver + 1x passive radiator | 45mm |
| USB Audio | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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
| 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 |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 6.9" x 6.9" |
| Drivers | 1x 2" (50mm) full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 200 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
JBL Go 5: $44.95 Amazon
Pros: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking. 7-band custom app EQ, up from the Go 4’s 5-band. USB-C wired audio input.
Cons: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights. Still lacking bass and not very clear overall.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Dimensions | 3.98" x 3.03" x 1.69" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Output Power | 4.8W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Audio | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 230 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- JBL Go 5 vs Boat Stone 190/193
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- JBL Go 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- JBL Go 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- JBL Go 5 vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- JBL Go 5 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini
- JBL Go 5 vs Xiaomi Sound Pocket
- JBL Go 5 vs Dewalt Wearable Bluetooth Speaker
- JBL Go 5 vs Monster Bluetooth Speaker
- JBL Go 5 vs Noxgear 39g
- JBL Go 5 vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- JBL Go 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- JBL Go 5 vs Hopestar H54
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- JBL Go 5 vs JBL Clip 5
- JBL Go 5 vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.