Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Micro for better sound quality, the JBL Go 5 for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Micro ranks #19 of 47 small speakers at $90. The JBL Go 5 ranks #24 at $44.95, $45.05 cheaper.
What the Bose Soundlink Micro gets right: Rugged rubberized coating, IP67 rated (1m submersion 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 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 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $90.00 | $44.95 |
| Ranked | #19 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 47 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 | - |
| Max Volume | 90dB | - |
| 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 | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 289 g | 0.5 lbs / 230 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 5W | 4.8W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Frequency Response | - | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- JBL Go 4 vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs JBL Go 3
- Marshall Willen vs Soundcore Select 4 Go
- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Micro: $90.00 Amazon
Pros: Rugged rubberized coating, IP67 rated (1m submersion for 30 minutes). Very compact and pocketable at 0.68 lb.
Cons: Lack of clarity. Overly boosted bass
Full Bose Soundlink Micro review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 90dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 289 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Bose Soundlink Micro 2
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Clip 5
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Clip 4
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs B&O Beoplay P2
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Klipsch Austin
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Soundcore Select 4 Go
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Marshall Willen
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs JBL Go 4
- See all 22 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