Short answer: the JBL Go 5 for better sound quality, the Dayton Audio Boost Mini for the lower price. The JBL Go 5 ranks #24 of 47 small speakers at $44.95. The Dayton Audio Boost Mini ranks #30 at $19.98, $24.97 cheaper.
On the JBL Go 5 side: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking. The tradeoff: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights.
What the Dayton Audio Boost Mini offers: Quite light for the performance. The catch: Not much bass, mids slightly boosted, highs a little rolled off. Same hardware as the Boat Stone 190/193 and Monster Bluetooth Speaker.
Buy the JBL Go 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Dayton Audio Boost Mini if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 5 | Dayton Audio Boost Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $44.95 | $19.98 |
| Ranked | #24 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) | 6.5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 230 g | 0.4 lbs / 185 g |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.8" (99.8 x 99.8 x 45 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 45mm | 1.75" (44mm) |
| Output Power | 4.8W | Specs not clearly published |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 95Hz |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Go 4 vs Xiaomi Sound Pocket
- JBL Go 4 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini
- Tribit PocketGo vs JBL Go 4
- JBL Go 5 vs Monster Bluetooth Speaker
- JBL Go 5 vs Soundcore Select 4 Go
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 Go 5: $44.95 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 →
| 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 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 4.8W |
| 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
Dayton Audio Boost Mini: $19.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: Quite light for the performance
Cons: Not much bass, mids slightly boosted, highs a little rolled off. Same hardware as the Boat Stone 190/193 and Monster Bluetooth Speaker
Full Dayton Audio Boost Mini review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 95Hz |
| Battery Life | 6.5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.8" (99.8 x 99.8 x 45 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.75" (44mm) |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | Specs not clearly published |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 185 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons