Short answer: the JBL Go 5 for the higher ranking, the Boat Stone 190/193 for the lower price. The JBL Go 5 ranks #24 of 46 small speakers at $44.95. The Boat Stone 190/193 ranks #31 at $39, $5.95 cheaper.
The case for the Boat Stone 190/193: Quite light for the performance. Set against that: Not much bass, mids slightly boosted, highs a little rolled off.Same hardware as the Monster Bluetooth Speaker and Dayton Audio Boost Mini.
What the JBL Go 5 gets right: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking. The catch: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights.
Buy the Boat Stone 190/193 if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the JBL Go 5 if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| Boat Stone 190/193 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39 | $44.95 |
| Ranked | #31 of 46 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 46 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 95Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 6.5 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP68 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 185 g | 0.5 lbs / 230 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Drivers | 52mm | 45mm |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Output Power | 5W | 4.8W |
| Dimensions | 105mm x 105mm x 67mm | 3.98" x 3.03" x 1.69" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| USB Audio | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
Boat Stone 190/193: $39 Amazon
Pros: Quite light for the performance
Cons: Not much bass, mids slightly boosted, highs a little rolled off.Same hardware as the Monster Bluetooth Speaker and Dayton Audio Boost Mini
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 95Hz |
| Battery Life | 6.5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours |
| Dimensions | 105mm x 105mm x 67mm |
| Drivers | 52mm |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 185 g |
- 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 |
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- 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.