Short answer: the Clip 5, unless the extra $40 is a dealbreaker. The Clip 5 ranks #21 of 47 small speakers at $79.95; the Go 5 ranks #24 at $39.95. 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip 5 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.95 | $39.95 |
| Ranked | #21 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 47 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 | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (285 g) | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
| 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) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Clip 5:
- JBL Clip 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- JBL Clip 5 vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i
- JBL Clip 5 vs Minirig Mini 2
- JBL Clip 5 vs Minirig Mini
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs JBL Clip 5
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 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: $79.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video 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 →
| Amplifier Power | 7W |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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
JBL Go 5: $39.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking. 7-band custom app EQ, up from the Go 4’s 5-band. USB-C wired audio input.
Cons: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights. Still lacking bass and not very clear overall. Mono downmixing produces an audible growling artifact, the same issue noted on the JBL Charge 6. Falls well short of similarly priced rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. Weak off-axis dispersion and an uneven, upper-mid-heavy tonal balance. Doesn’t get meaningfully louder at max volume, just harsher.
Full JBL Go 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 4.8W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons