Short answer: the Doss E-Go II. It ranks #113 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $33.90; the LG Xboom XG5 ranks #115 and costs $99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Doss E-Go II: Very portable (water bottle sized), truly waterproof (IPX6), 12-hour battery life, excellent value for money, fast Bluetooth pairing. The tradeoff: Horribly bad unless turned up, still not great.
What the LG Xboom XG5 gets right: IP67 rated. The catch: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble.
Buy the Doss E-Go II. It ranks higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom XG5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 136 medium speakers instead.
If battery life is a priority, the LG Xboom XG5 is rated for 18 hours versus 12 hours for the Doss E-Go II.
Specifications Side By Side
| Doss E-Go II | LG Xboom XG5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $33.90 | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #113 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #115 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 120Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 2.5" x 2" (198 x 63 x 51 mm) | 8.7" x 3.3" x 3.1" (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6W full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 399 g | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
| Output Power | 12W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Doss E-Go II: $33.90 Amazon
Pros: Very portable (water bottle sized), truly waterproof (IPX6), 12-hour battery life, excellent value for money, fast Bluetooth pairing
Cons: Horribly bad unless turned up, still not great
Full Doss E-Go II review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 120Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 2.5" x 2" (198 x 63 x 51 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6W full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 12W |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 399 g |
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LG Xboom XG5: $99.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated. 18 hour battery life (~17 hrs confirmed in testing) with fast USB-C charging. Wireless Party Link connects up to 10 speakers.
Cons: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble. Not very good sounding
Full LG Xboom XG5 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.3" x 3.1" (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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