Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 for better sound quality, the JBL Go 5 for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Micro 2 ranks #18 of 47 small speakers at $99. The JBL Go 5 ranks #24 at $44.95, $54.05 cheaper.
What the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 gets right: IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. The catch: Lack of clarity.
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 Bose Soundlink Micro 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Go 5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Micro 2 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.00 | $44.95 |
| Ranked | #18 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 329 g | 0.5 lbs / 230 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX, SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 6.0 |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 4.1" x 1.7" (104 x 104 x 43 mm) | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 4.8W |
| Drivers | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator | 45mm |
| 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:
- JBL Go 4 vs Vifa City
- Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- JBL Go 5 vs Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Micro 2: $99.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. Compact fabric strap for clipping to bags/bikes - replaces the 1st-gen’s hook clip, which was prone to breaking. USB-C charging. Surprisingly good bass when mounted outdoors, like on a bike.
Cons: Lack of clarity. Overly boosted bass that causes some thudding, and can overdrive/distort at higher volumes - worse in this regard than the 1st-gen model. Overly boosted treble, turn down bass and treble in the EQ. Falls clearly behind the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 on bass depth, cleanliness, and loudness.
Full Bose Soundlink Micro 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 4.1" x 1.7" (104 x 104 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm full-range driver with passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 329 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Klipsch Austin
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 5
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Marshall Willen
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 4
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Anker Soundcore Mini
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Soundcore Select 4 Go
- See all 18 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