Soundcore Mini is the better pick for old-school playback options; JBL Go 5 is for buyers who want a tiny modern waterproof speaker. They stand at 13 of 47 and 24 of 47.
Soundcore Mini includes FM radio, aux input, and MicroSD support, making it unusually flexible for a pocket speaker. Its bass depth is limited.
Go 5 upgrades to IP68 and includes AirTouch stereo linking. It changes little from Go 4 beyond lighting and is expensive for the sound it delivers.
Buy the Anker Soundcore Mini if you value FM, aux input, or MicroSD playback.
Buy the JBL Go 5 if IP68 protection and easy stereo linking are more important than legacy inputs.
Battery life favors the Anker Soundcore Mini: rated for 15 hours against 8 hours for the JBL Go 5.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Go 5 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Anker Soundcore Mini at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Anker Soundcore Mini | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99 | $39.95 |
| Ranked | #13 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 47 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) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Output Power | 5W | 4.8W |
| Dimensions | 3.7" x 3.6" x 3.6" (94 x 92 x 91 mm) | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2" (50mm) full-range driver + 1x passive radiator | 45mm |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Frequency Response | - | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Anker Soundcore Mini compares with other leading options:
- Anker Soundcore Mini vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- Anker Soundcore Mini vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i
- Anker Soundcore Mini vs Minirig Mini 2
- Anker Soundcore Mini vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 vs Anker Soundcore Mini
Prices on this page were last checked September 11, 2026 at 8:40 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Anker Soundcore Mini: $29.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Anker Soundcore Mini uses 1x 2” (50mm) full-range driver + 1x passive radiator. Its 200 g, claimed 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, aux input and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment.
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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JBL Go 5: $39.95 Amazon eBay
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. Mono downmixing produces an audible growling artifact, the same issue noted on the JBL Charge 6. Falls well short of similarly priced rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. Weak off-axis dispersion and an uneven, upper-mid-heavy tonal balance. Doesn’t get meaningfully louder at max volume, just harsher.
Full JBL Go 5 review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 4.8W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 230 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons