Short answer: the Select 4 Go, and it isn’t close on value. It ranks #23 of 47 small speakers at $21.99; the Go 5 ranks #24 at $44.95. 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 5 | Soundcore Select 4 Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $44.95 | $19.39 |
| Ranked | #24 of 46 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 46 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 | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 230 g | 0.6 lbs / 265 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| USB Audio | 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 | 3.98" x 3.03" x 1.69" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) | 4.76" x 3.27" x 1.91" (121 x 83 x 48.5 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 4 hours |
| Drivers | 45mm | 1.75" (44mm) full range |
| Output Power | 4.8W | 5W |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Go 5: $44.95 Amazon
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.
| 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 |
| Dimensions | 3.98" x 3.03" x 1.69" (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Output Power | 4.8W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Audio | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 230 g |
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Soundcore Select 4 Go: $19.39 Aliexpress Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Quite inexpensive for what you get
Cons: Not as deep of bass as higher ranked speakers. Doesn’t get very loud before sound quality drops; some sibilance on snare/stick transients. No built-in mic; playback is mono unless you buy a second unit.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4 hours |
| Dimensions | 4.76" x 3.27" x 1.91" (121 x 83 x 48.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.75" (44mm) full range |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 265 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 8, 2026 at 6:24 AM UTC 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.