Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Micro, unless the price gap matters more to you than sound quality. The Soundlink Micro ranks #19 of 49 small speakers at $82; the Go 5 ranks #26 at $39.95, $42.05 cheaper.
The Go 5’s cost advantage comes with real tradeoffs. Reviewers describe it as still lacking bass and not very clear overall, with weak off-axis dispersion and an uneven, upper-mid-heavy tonal balance. Mono downmixing reportedly produces an audible growling artifact, the same issue noted on the larger JBL Charge 6, and it’s said to fall well short of similarly priced rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. The Soundlink Micro’s complaints are narrower: a lack of clarity and overly boosted bass, but no reviewer notes describe distortion artifacts or the speaker falling behind its price class.
What the Go 5 adds: stereo pairing through AirTouch tap-to-pair, a 7-band custom app EQ (up from the Go 4’s 5-band), IP68 water resistance versus the Soundlink Micro’s IP67, and a USB-C wired audio input.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Micro if sound quality is the priority. It has fewer reported flaws despite being the older, more expensive design.
Buy the JBL Go 5 if the price is the priority and you can live with a speaker reviewers consider still overpriced for what it delivers.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Micro | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $82.00 | $39.95 |
| Ranked | #19 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #26 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (289 g) | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 6.0 |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 3.9” x 1.4” (98 x 98 x 35 mm) | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm with dual passive radiators | 45mm |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Amplifier Power | 5W | 4.8W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Frequency Response | - | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Bose Soundlink Micro:
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Minirig Mini 2
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Micro: $82.00 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Bose Soundlink Micro 2, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5.
Pros: Bose Soundlink Micro uses 40mm with dual passive radiators. Its 289 g, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 90dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A rugged rubberized coating, a strap and Bose Party mode for pairing multiple speakers. Measured bass extension of 66Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 66Hz specification. No EQ adjustment.
Full Bose Soundlink Micro review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 5W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 3.9” x 1.4” (98 x 98 x 35 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (289 g) |
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JBL Go 5: $39.95 Amazon eBay
Older models: the JBL Go 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Go 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 4.8W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons