Short answer: the JBL Clip 4. It ranks #23 against the Go 5’s #29 out of 62 small speakers, and the Go 5’s added features don’t make up for real sound quality problems.
The Go 5 looks better on a feature checklist, but its own cons undercut it. It adds an IP68 rating over the Clip 4’s IP67, AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking, a 7-band app EQ, and USB-C wired audio input. But its cons describe it as still lacking bass and not very clear overall, with an audible mono downmixing growl artifact (the same issue noted on the JBL Charge 6), weak off-axis dispersion, and an uneven, upper-mid-heavy tonal balance. It also falls short of similarly priced rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2, and doesn’t get meaningfully louder at max volume, just harsher.
The Clip 4 is simpler but more honestly priced for what it does. Its pros highlight being very light with a sturdy spring clip for attaching to bags or belts, and real-world battery life that often beats its 10-hour rating. Its own cons are a lack of bass and limited loudness, but nothing as pointed as the Go 5’s tonal complaints.
Buy the JBL Clip 4 for a simple, clippable speaker that does what it claims without the Go 5’s tonal problems.
Buy the JBL Go 5 only if AirTouch stereo pairing or the higher IP68 rating specifically matter to you, and you can live with its uneven sound.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip 4 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.95 | $54.95 |
| Ranked | #23 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (239 g) | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 6.0 |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 5.3” x 1.8” (86 x 135 x 46 mm) | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 5W | 4.8W |
| Drivers | 1x 40mm (1.57”) full-range driver + 1x passive radiator | 45mm |
| Maximum SPL | 79dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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