Short answer: the Harman Kardon Luna. It ranks #26 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $290.99. The JBL Pulse 5 ranks #48, rated 3.7/5, at $219.99, $71 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Harman Kardon Luna is the lighter choice. The sound is fairly balanced apart from the boosted bass. At 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Pulse 5 at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). The tradeoff: Boosted bass, and less detailed than higher-ranked speakers.
Why pick the JBL Pulse 5: A cool light show, though it is not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Luna lacks. The tradeoff: Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.
Buy the Harman Kardon Luna. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $71 with the JBL Pulse 5 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Luna | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $290.99 | $219.99 |
| Ranked | #26 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #48 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | 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 | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.1” x 3.1” (210 x 78 x 80 mm) | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 48mm x 90mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Harman Kardon Luna compares with other leading options:
- Harman Kardon Luna vs EarFun Uboom L
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Luna: $290.99 Amazon $290.99 eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Luna 2, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5, released Mar 2026. It adds app control and adjustable EQ. See every Harman Kardon Luna generation.
Pros: Harman Kardon Luna uses 48mm x 90mm woofer, 20mm tweeter. Its 1.13 kg, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. The sound is fairly balanced apart from the boosted bass. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 57Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Boosted bass, and less detailed than higher-ranked speakers.
Full Harman Kardon Luna review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.1” x 3.1” (210 x 78 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 48mm x 90mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon Luna - sound demo More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Onyx Studio 9 or Go Play 3? Or even the HK Luna?? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beats Pill vs Harman Luna vs Bose Flex vs Soundcore Motion Plus
- Mateusz Cholewa: Harman Kardon Luna 2 UNBOXING vs HK Luna Short Test More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Storytripper HD: Harman Kardon Luna vs Luna 2 More from storytripperhd →
- Storytripper HD: Klipsch Nashville vs Harman Kardon Luna vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Storytripper HD: Huawei Sound Joy 2 vs Tribit XSound Plus 2 vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Harman Kardon Luna 2
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Bogasing G4
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Bogasing M4
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Harman Kardon Luna vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- Harman Kardon Luna vs JBL Charge 5
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- See all 136 comparisons
JBL Pulse 5: $219.99 Amazon $219.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Pulse 6, ranked lower, estimated 3.7/5, released 2026. It adds USB audio input, AAC and LC3. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68. See every JBL Pulse generation.
Pros: JBL Pulse 5 uses 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter. Its 1500 g, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A cool light show, though it is not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification. Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.
Full JBL Pulse 5 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Techder Audios: JBL PULSE 5 VS JBL CHARGE 5 "LIGHTS VS BASS?!" More from techderaudios →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bass Check 💣 Treblab HD-360, Ultimate Ears EpicBoom, Marshall Middleton & JBL Pulse 5. Boom or Bust? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons