Short answer: the Harman Kardon Luna 2. It ranks #25 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $199.95; the JBL Pulse 5 ranks #47, rated 3.7/5, and costs $224.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Harman Kardon Luna 2 is the better-sounding, lighter choice. A stylish waterproof speaker with clear, spacious mids, tight bass that stays clean at volume, and stereo pairing with a second unit. At 1.6 lbs (735 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Pulse 5 at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). The tradeoff: Treble can sound bright and edgy, and it loses more output off-axis than some rivals.
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. Watch for: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification.
Buy the Harman Kardon Luna 2. 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.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A stylish waterproof speaker with clear, spacious mids, tight bass that stays clean at volume, and stereo pairing with a second unit.
A waterproof party speaker with a built in light show, app EQ and linking with up to 100 other JBL speakers.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Luna 2 | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $224.99 |
| Ranked | #25 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes (4 presets + custom) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | - |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (735 g) | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.5” x 3.3” x 3.2” (216 x 84 x 81 mm) | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 62mm x 82mm woofer with passive radiator, 20mm tweeter | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W (25W woofer + 15W tweeter) | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~58Hz |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Harman Kardon Luna 2: