Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi. It ranks #29 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $139.95; the LG Xboom Go PL5 ranks #152, rated 2.4/5, and costs $289, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The JBL Charge 5 Wifi is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A rugged waterproof speaker with punchy, warm sound plus Wi-Fi streaming over AirPlay and Chromecast, long battery life and a phone charging port. 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. Watch for: Shouty upper mids.
The LG Xboom Go PL5 is the lighter choice. 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 Wifi at 2.2 lbs (1 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 Wifi lacks. It links with other speakers (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers), which the JBL Charge 5 Wifi cannot. Watch for: Barely any bass.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi. It is rated higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Go PL5 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.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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 Wifi | LG Xboom Go PL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.95 | $289.00 |
| Ranked | #29 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #152 of 182 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) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 97 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 |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music | - |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (Manufacturer specified) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Where the Ratings Come From
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Charge 5 Wifi compares with other leading options: