Short answer: the Go 5, mainly for the feature set rather than the sound. Both speakers sell for the same price and rank close together (#30 and #28 of 61 small speakers), and neither is a strong sound-quality pick in its class.
Neither speaker impresses on bass. The Go 3’s cons call out that it has “not much bass at all” with a “strange mids peak.” The Go 5 fares worse in its own notes: it’s described as “still lacking bass and not very clear overall,” with a mono downmixing artifact that produces an audible growling sound, and dispersion and tonal balance issues that leave it behind similarly priced rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. If pure sound quality across the price range is your only concern, this pair is not where to look.
What the Go 5 adds over the Go 3:
- An app with 7-band EQ, versus no app and no EQ on the Go 3.
- AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking and TWS, letting two units work together, which the Go 3 cannot do.
- IP68 water resistance, a step up from the Go 3’s IP67.
- Longer battery life, 8 hours (10 with Playtime Boost) against 5 hours on the Go 3.
- A larger 45mm driver and USB-C digital audio input, versus the Go 3’s 36mm driver and no digital input.
What the Go 3 still has going for it: it’s the lighter and smaller of the two at 0.5 lbs (209 g) against 0.5 lbs (230 g), and its cons list is shorter and less severe: just weak bass and a mids peak, without the downmixing artifact or dispersion problems noted on the Go 5.
Buy the Go 5 if you want the app, EQ, stereo pairing, and better battery life, and can live with mono-mode audio quirks that show up in its own review notes.
Buy the Go 3 if you just want the smallest, simplest possible speaker and don’t need an app, EQ, or stereo pairing.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A pocket-sized 209 g speaker with IP67 waterproofing and a rope loop for clipping to a bag.
Amazon $39.95 eBay
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 3 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.95 | $34.95 |
| Ranked | #30 of 61 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #28 of 61 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 87Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (209 g) | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 6.0 |
| Frequency Response | 110Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 2.7” x 1.6” (86 x 69 x 40 mm) | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Charging Time | 2.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Amplifier Power | 4.2W | 4.8W |
| Drivers | 36mm full-range driver | 45mm |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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