Short answer: the Clip 5, unless the extra $5 is a dealbreaker. The Clip 5 ranks #22 of 62 small speakers at $59.95; the Go 5 ranks #29 at $54.95. The Clip 5 also carries a much shorter list of complaints.
The Go 5’s problems go beyond just lacking bass. Reviewers note a mono downmixing issue that produces an audible growling artifact, the same problem flagged on the JBL Charge 6, plus weak off-axis dispersion and an uneven, upper-mid-heavy tonal balance. Turning it up doesn’t help: it doesn’t get meaningfully louder at max volume, just harsher. Our notes place it well short of similarly priced rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2.
The Clip 5 is a smaller step up from its predecessor, but a cleaner one. Its notes describe it as basically the same as the Clip 4 with more features layered on, including a wider carabiner, thicker back padding, and app-based custom EQ. It’s an incremental release rather than a leap, but it doesn’t carry the specific sound complaints the Go 5 does.
What the Go 5 does add: a IP68 rating (up from the Go 4’s IP67), AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking so two units can pair into a stereo set, a 7-band app EQ, and USB-C wired input. The Clip 5 has no stereo pairing option and no wired input at all, so if you want to link two speakers for stereo sound, the Go 5 is the only one of the two that supports it.
Buy the JBL Clip 5 for the better overall sound and the carabiner clip design, if the higher price isn’t a problem.
Buy the JBL Go 5 if you specifically want AirTouch stereo pairing or the lower price, and can live with its weaker sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A waterproof clip on speaker with a wide carabiner, a long battery, app EQ, and Auracast linking to other speakers.
A pocket sized fully waterproof speaker with tap to pair stereo linking, app EQ, and USB-C audio input.
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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip 5 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.95 | $54.95 |
| Ranked | #22 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (285 g) | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Frequency Response | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 5.3” x 1.8” (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm) | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 7W | 4.8W |
| Drivers | 1x ~50mm (2”) full-range driver + 1x passive radiator | 45mm |
| 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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