Short answer: the JBL Charge 5. It ranks #30 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $114.95; the LG Xboom Go PL5 ranks #149, rated 2.4/5, and costs $289, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The JBL Charge 5 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A rugged, fully waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound and long battery life that also charges your phone. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 10dB, against 71Hz for the LG Xboom Go PL5. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 15 for the LG Xboom Go PL5. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the LG Xboom Go PL5. The tradeoff: Shouty upper mids.
The LG Xboom Go PL5 is the lighter pick. A water resistant speaker with music synced LED lights, USB-C charging and Party Link for many speakers. At 1.4 lbs (640 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Charge 5 at 2.1 lbs (960 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 5. The tradeoff: Barely any bass.
Buy the JBL Charge 5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Go PL5 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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
| JBL Charge 5 | LG Xboom Go PL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $289.00 |
| Ranked | #30 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #149 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (via app) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 7.9” x 3.1” x 3.1” (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Charge 5: