Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Flex. It ranks #38 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $79.99; the LG Xboom Go PL5 ranks #152, rated 2.4/5, and costs $289, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Bose Soundlink Flex is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. A small, rugged waterproof speaker that survives drops and floats, with a warm, bass forward sound for casual outdoor use. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 10dB, against 71Hz for the LG Xboom Go PL5. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the LG Xboom Go PL5. The catch: Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail.
The LG Xboom Go PL5 is the louder pick. A water resistant speaker with music synced LED lights, USB-C charging and Party Link for many speakers. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 100dB at full volume, against 96dB for the Bose Soundlink Flex. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Bose Soundlink Flex lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Bose Soundlink Flex lacks. Watch for: Barely any bass.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Flex. It is rated higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Go PL5 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Output: the LG Xboom Go PL5 was measured at 100 dB maximum against 96 dB for the Bose Soundlink Flex, so it gets somewhat louder before it runs out of headroom.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex | LG Xboom Go PL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $289.00 |
| Ranked | #38 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #152 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 33ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (589 g) | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.5” x 2” (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 7.9” x 3.1” x 3.1” (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 60mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Bose Soundlink Flex: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Oluv and Alan Ross.
- LG Xboom Go PL5: reviews by Alan Ross.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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