Short answer: the JBL Go 5 on price, the Sony SRS-XB13 on battery life. The Go 5 ranks #26 of 49 and costs $39.95, $21.54 less, while the XB13 runs about 16 hours. The XB13 has not much bass, and the Go 5 is still overpriced and not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights.
Buy the JBL Go 5. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sony SRS-XB13 is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 5 | Sony SRS-XB13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.95 | $61.49 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #26 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #36 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| 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) | 0.6 lbs (255 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 4.2 |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) | 3” x 3.7”H (76 x 95 mm) (diameter) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Drivers | 45mm | 46mm |
| Amplifier Power | 4.8W | 5W |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 88Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Go 5:
- JBL Go 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- JBL Go 5 vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i
- JBL Go 5 vs Minirig Mini 2
- JBL Go 5 vs Minirig Mini
- JBL Go 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Sony SRS-XB13: $61.49 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Sony SRS-XB100, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5.
Pros: Sony SRS-XB13 uses 46mm. Its 255 g, claimed 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 88dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A removable strap hangs it from a bag or bike. Measured bass extension of 88Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 88Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Not much bass, and the sound is muddy. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB13 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 5W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 88Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3” x 3.7”H (76 x 95 mm) (diameter) |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 88dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (255 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons