Short answer: the JBL Go 5 for waterproofing, the Hopestar H54 for inputs. The Go 5 is IP68 rated, up from the Go 4’s IP67, and adds AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking, but it is still overpriced and not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights. The H54 packs IPX7 waterproofing, 5W output, a 5-hour battery, MicroSD, TWS, AUX, Bluetooth 5.0 and a microphone, though it has bright treble, not much bass and harsh mids.
Buy the JBL Go 5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Hopestar H54 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Hopestar H54 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $54.95 |
| Ranked | #52 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP68 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 15kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 52mm | 45mm |
| Amplifier Power | 5W | 4.8W |
| Dimensions | 5.5” x 4.7” x 2.8” (140 x 120 x 70 mm) | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (500 g) | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | Yes (built-in loop) |
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