Short answer: the JBL Go 5 on ranking and price, the Harman Kardon Neo on design and calls. The Go 5 ranks #27 of 54 at $39.95, $50.05 less, with IP68 and AirTouch stereo pairing. The Neo is IPX7 with a matte-metal body, an attachment loop and an echo-cancelling mic, and goes louder than its size suggests, but has a huge lack of bass.
Buy the JBL Go 5. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Harman Kardon Neo is discontinued.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Go 5 at IP68 (extended submersion) against the Harman Kardon Neo, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 5 | Harman Kardon Neo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.95 | $90 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #27 of 54 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #50 of 54 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | None |
| 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 | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (230 g) | 0.6 lbs (251 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 4.2 |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) | 4.3” x 4.3” x 1.3” (110 x 110 x 34.1 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Drivers | 45mm | 1.6” (41mm) full-range driver |
| Amplifier Power | 4.8W | 3W |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 105Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 87dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
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- JBL Go 5 vs Minirig Mini
- JBL Go 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Go 5: $39.95 Amazon eBay
Older models: the JBL Go 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Go 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).
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 | Yes |
| 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) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Harman Kardon Neo: $90 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Harman Kardon Neo uses 1.6” (41mm) full-range driver. Its 251 g, claimed 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, up to 87dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. IPX7 waterproof, with an attachment loop and an echo-cancelling microphone for calls. Measured bass extension of 105Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 105Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Neo review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 3W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 105Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.3” x 4.3” x 1.3” (110 x 110 x 34.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.6” (41mm) full-range driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 87dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (251 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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