Short answer: the JBL Go 5 for better sound quality, the Onn Small Rugged Speaker for the lower price. The JBL Go 5 ranks #24 of 47 small speakers at $44.95. The Onn Small Rugged Speaker ranks #28 at $15, $29.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Go 5 offers: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking. Watch for: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights.
What the Onn Small Rugged Speaker gets right: Amazing value for the money. The tradeoff: Bass isn’t quite as deep as the top ranked models. Lacking clarity compared to other models.
Buy the JBL Go 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Onn Small Rugged Speaker if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 5 | Onn Small Rugged Speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $44.95 | $15 |
| Ranked | #24 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #28 of 47 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 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Sync Mode) |
| 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 / 286 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 | - |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 4" x 3" x 1.7" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) | 4.7" x 2.3" x 2.6" (119.9 x 57.9 x 65 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 45mm | 1.5" (38mm) full-range driver |
| Output Power | 4.8W | 3-5W |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 66Hz |
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- Soundcore Mini 3 vs Soundcore Select 4 Go
- Soundcore Select 4 Go vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- JBL Go 4 vs Soundcore Select 4 Go
- JBL Go 5 vs Soundcore Select 4 Go
- JBL Go 5 vs Dayton Audio Boost Mini
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
Onn Small Rugged Speaker: $15 Walmart eBay
Pros: Amazing value for the money.
Cons: Bass isn’t quite as deep as the top ranked models. Lacking clarity compared to other models
Full Onn Small Rugged Speaker review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.7" x 2.3" x 2.6" (119.9 x 57.9 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.5" (38mm) full-range driver |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 3-5W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync Mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 286 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons