Short answer: the EarFun Uboom L. It ranks #2 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $49.79; the JBL Pulse 5 ranks #47, rated 3.7/5, and costs $224.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The EarFun Uboom L is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. A great value medium speaker with clear, natural sound, waterproofing, and a Video Mode that keeps audio in sync with video. It is rated for 16 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Pulse 5. At 1.4 lbs (650 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Pulse 5 at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Pulse 5 lacks. The tradeoff: It cannot produce real low-bass rumble or fill a large, noisy space, and the top end loses some detail.
Why pick the JBL Pulse 5: A waterproof party speaker with a built in light show, app EQ and linking with up to 100 other JBL speakers. It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the EarFun Uboom L cannot. The catch: Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.
Buy the EarFun Uboom L. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Pulse 5 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A great value medium speaker with clear, natural sound, waterproofing, and a Video Mode that keeps audio in sync with video.
A waterproof party speaker with a built in light show, app EQ and linking with up to 100 other JBL speakers.
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Specifications Side By Side
| EarFun Uboom L | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.79 after coupon UBOOMLWC | $224.99 |
| Ranked | #2 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (firmware >= 1.2.6) | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Latency | 216ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (10 band, firmware >= 1.2.6) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 400ms normal / 66ms low latency mode | - |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (650 g) | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 3.1” x 8.3” x 2.8” (78 x 210 x 72 mm) | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 55mm drivers + 2x passive radiators | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 28W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
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