Short answer: the JBL Pulse 5 for better sound quality, the Bose Soundlink Mini for the lower price. The JBL Pulse 5 ranks #42 of 136 medium speakers at $199.12. The Bose Soundlink Mini ranks #56 at $128.67, $70.45 cheaper.
On the Bose Soundlink Mini side: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Watch for: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
What the JBL Pulse 5 gets right: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. The tradeoff: Not quite as deep bass as others.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Mini is discontinued, but it still ranks #56 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the JBL Pulse 5 if sound quality matters more than the price.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Pulse 5 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $128.67 Discontinued | $199.12 |
| Ranked | #56 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | USB-C |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | - | Yes |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | - | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 40W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Huawei Sound Joy vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Sonos Roam 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs JBL Pulse 5
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Pulse 5
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini: $128.67 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Comes with a charging cradle.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 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 Mini vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Beats Pill 2024
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs JBL Flip 5
- See all 22 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