Short answer: the Select 4 Go, and it isn’t close on value. It ranks #25 of 62 small speakers at $22.99; the Go 5 ranks #29 at $54.95. Less than half the price for a higher placement.
What the JBL badge buys you. The Go 5 has a built-in microphone for calls, where the Select 4 Go has none. It also adds Auracast party mode, a slightly higher IP68 rating against IP67, and a newer Bluetooth 6.0 radio. If any of those specifically matter to you, they’re real.
What the Soundcore wins on is bigger. Battery life is the standout: 20 hours against the Go 5’s 8 to 10. Our own notes on the Select 4 Go call it “quite inexpensive for what you get,” and at under half the JBL’s price with a much longer-lasting battery, that holds up.
Neither is a bass speaker. Both share the recurring small-class complaint of limited low end, and the Select 4 Go adds some sibilance on transients at higher volume. Neither is stereo out of the box; both need a second unit paired for that.
Buy the Select 4 Go if price and battery life matter more than a microphone. Buy the Go 5 only if you specifically need speakerphone calls, Auracast, or the fully tested IP68 rating.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A pocket sized fully waterproof speaker with tap to pair stereo linking, app EQ, and USB-C audio input.
A very inexpensive waterproof mini speaker with a strap, a long battery, app EQ, and stereo pairing.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 5 | Soundcore Select 4 Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $54.95 | $22.99 |
| Ranked | #29 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (230 g) | 0.6 lbs (265 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 | 5.4 |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) | 4.8” x 3.3” x 1.9” (121 x 83 x 48.5 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 4 hours |
| Drivers | 45mm | 1.75” (44mm) full range |
| Amplifier Power | 4.8W | 5W |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (strap) |
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