Short answer: the JBL Pulse 5 for the light show, the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ for 360-degree coverage. The Revolve+ delivers true 360 sound that stays consistent wherever you stand, but its bass is overly boosted and it costs $254.99 against $189.99. The Pulse 5 ranks #45 of 151 against #49 of 151, and its light show is cool, though not synced to the music like the Pulse 2, and its bass is not quite as deep as others.
Buy the JBL Pulse 5. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Pulse 5 | Bose Soundlink Revolve+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $189.99 | $254.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #45 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #49 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP55 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) | 2 lbs (0.91 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) | 4.1” x 7.2” x 4.1” (105 x 184 x 105 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 91mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 54.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Pulse 5:
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- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Pulse 5
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Pulse 5
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Pulse 5
- Minirig 4 vs JBL Pulse 5
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 Pulse 5: $189.99 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Pulse 6. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we can’t confirm that yet.
Pros: JBL Pulse 5 uses 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter. Its 1500 g, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A cool light show, though it is not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification. Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.
Full JBL Pulse 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Techder Audios: JBL PULSE 5 VS JBL CHARGE 5 "LIGHTS VS BASS?!" More from techderaudios →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bass Check 💣 Treblab HD-360, Ultimate Ears EpicBoom, Marshall Middleton & JBL Pulse 5. Boom or Bust? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- JBL Pulse 5 vs W-King D320
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Motion 100
- JBL Pulse 5 vs JBL Charge Essential 3 SE
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II)
- See all 93 comparisons
Bose Soundlink Revolve+: $254.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5.
Pros: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand. Built-in carry handle, useful even with wet hands; can hang from a hook via carabiner. ~12 hour battery at medium-high volume. Measured bass extension of 54.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Overly boosted bass, warm sounding. Boosted mids. Rolled off treble. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Revolve+ review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1” x 7.2” x 4.1” (105 x 184 x 105 mm) |
| Drivers | 91mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2 lbs (0.91 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro More from alanrossreviews →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org) More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Live Reviews and Q&A! Bose Soundbar, Monoprice Monitors, Bluetooth Speakers and more.
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs W-King D320
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Soundcore Glow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Sonos Play
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- See all 73 comparisons