Short answer: the B&O Beoplay P2 for better sound quality, the JBL Go 5 for the lower price. The B&O Beoplay P2 ranks #16 of 47 small speakers at $170. The JBL Go 5 ranks #24 at $44.95, $125.05 cheaper.
What the B&O Beoplay P2 gets right: Surprisingly strong bass output for its size without distorting at volume. The catch: Good for its time, but now beat out by many others.
What the JBL Go 5 offers: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. Watch for: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights.
Buy the B&O Beoplay P2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Go 5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Go 5 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the B&O Beoplay P2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beoplay P2 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $170 Discontinued | $44.95 |
| Ranked | #16 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IP68 |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 275 g | 0.5 lbs / 230 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 6.0 |
| Dimensions | 5.5" x 3.1" x 1.1" (140 x 80 x 28 mm) | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Charging Time | 2 hours | 3 hours |
| Drivers | 51mm full-range and 19mm tweeter | 45mm |
| Output Power | 15W RMS (per channel) | 4.8W |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Frequency Response | - | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Marshall Willen vs Mifa Tango
- Klipsch Austin vs Marshall Willen
- Teufel Boomster Go vs Mifa Tango
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 vs B&O Beoplay P2
The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beoplay P2: $170 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Surprisingly strong bass output for its size without distorting at volume. Compact, well-built design with tap/shake gesture controls.
Cons: Good for its time, but now beat out by many others. Discontinued.
Full B&O Beoplay P2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5" x 3.1" x 1.1" (140 x 80 x 28 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 51mm full-range and 19mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 15W RMS (per channel) |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 275 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beoplay P2 vs Mifa Tango
- B&O Beoplay P2 vs Klipsch Austin
- B&O Beoplay P2 vs Marshall Willen
- B&O Beoplay P2 vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- B&O Beoplay P2 vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- B&O Beoplay P2 vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- B&O Beoplay P2 vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
- B&O Beoplay P2 vs JBL Clip 5
- See all 21 comparisons
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. 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 | No |
| 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons