Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It ranks #33 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $129.99; the JBL Pulse 5 ranks #42 and costs $199.12, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen: Pretty much identical sounding to the 1st gen. The catch: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail.
On the JBL Pulse 5 side: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. Watch for: Not quite as deep bass as others.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Pulse 5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $199.12 |
| Ranked | #33 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 586 g | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~58Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 40W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Bose Soundlink Flex vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Pulse 5
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs JBL Charge 6
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen: $129.99 Amazon
Pros: Pretty much identical sounding to the 1st gen
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail. Self drains the battery about 10% a week.
Full Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 586 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Flex More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen - sound demo
- Tô Thái Trí Hùng: Unbox & Sound Test - Bose Soundlink Flex 2
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen & Soundcore Motion 300 sound test
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech! More from alanrossreviews →
- CEONTHEMAKING: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd Gen VS Marshall Emberton III - What’s NEW??
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Small speaker, mighty sound, The Flex gen 2 shatters physics!
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Teufel Rockster XS
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion 100
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs JBL Charge 5
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- See all 39 comparisons
JBL Pulse 5: $199.12 Amazon
Pros: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2.
Cons: Not quite as deep bass as others. Plastic scratches easily.
Full JBL Pulse 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Motion 100
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- JBL Pulse 5 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- See all 21 comparisons