Short answer: the JBL Clip 5 for better sound quality, the Hopestar H54 for the lower price. The JBL Clip 5 ranks #21 of 47 small speakers at $69.95. The Hopestar H54 ranks #38 at $59.99, $9.96 cheaper.
What the JBL Clip 5 gets right: JBL Portable app adds custom EQ. Wider carabiner and thicker back padding than the Clip 4. Watch for: Generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound but with more features.
What the Hopestar H54 offers: IPX7 waterproof, 5W output, 5-hour battery life, MicroSD card support, TWS pairing, AUX input, Bluetooth 5.0, built-in microphone, compact 500g design. Set against that: Bright treble, not much bass, harsh mids.
Buy the JBL Clip 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Hopestar H54 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Hopestar H54. It ranks near the bottom of the 47 small speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Clip 5 is rated for 12 hours versus 5 hours for the Hopestar H54.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip 5 | Hopestar H54 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.95 | $59.99 |
| Ranked | #21 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #38 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 285 g | 1.1 lbs / 500 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 15kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm) | 5.5" x 4.7" x 2.8" (140 x 120 x 70 mm) |
| Output Power | 7W | 5W |
| Drivers | 1x ~50mm (2") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator | 52mm |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Clip 4 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- JBL Clip vs Sony SRS-XB12
- JBL Clip 3 vs Sony SRS-XB12
- JBL Clip 4 vs JBL Clip 5
- JBL Clip 5 vs Noxgear 39g
Prices on this page were last checked August 21, 2026 at 5:30 AM 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
JBL Clip 5: $69.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo eBay
Pros: JBL Portable app adds custom EQ. Wider carabiner and thicker back padding than the Clip 4. IP67 rated. Auracast support for pairing multiple JBL speakers.
Cons: Generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound but with more features. Basically about the same as the Clip 4
Full JBL Clip 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~50mm (2") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 7W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 285 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Hopestar H54: $59.99 Hopestar eBay
Pros: IPX7 waterproof, 5W output, 5-hour battery life, MicroSD card support, TWS pairing, AUX input, Bluetooth 5.0, built-in microphone, compact 500g design
Cons: Bright treble, not much bass, harsh mids
Full Hopestar H54 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5" x 4.7" x 2.8" (140 x 120 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 15kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 500 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons