Short answer: the JBL Pulse 5. It ranks #45 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $239.99. The Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) ranks #51, rated 3.6/5, at $194, $45.99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the JBL Pulse 5 does well: JBL Pulse 5 uses 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter. The tradeoff: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification.
What the Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) does well: RTINGS measured a fairly neutral sound with a balanced midrange, so vocals and lead instruments come through clearly, and excellent directivity from the 360° design for an open, even sound around the room. The tradeoff: RTINGS found it lacks low bass, so there’s little deep thump or rumble.
Buy the JBL Pulse 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $45.99 saving on the Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Pulse 5 | Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.99 | $194.00 |
| Ranked | #45 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #51 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Bose Connect |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP55 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | - |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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: $239.99 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
Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II): $194.00 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Bose Soundlink Revolve (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5).
Pros: RTINGS measured a fairly neutral sound with a balanced midrange, so vocals and lead instruments come through clearly, and excellent directivity from the 360° design for an open, even sound around the room. In a side by side test against the Revolve+ II and B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen, several listeners preferred its clearer, less bass heavy tuning to the Revolve+ II. Up to 13 hours of battery, IP55 dust and water resistance, a built-in microphone for calls and voice assistants, and multi-connect for two devices at once.
Cons: RTINGS found it lacks low bass, so there’s little deep thump or rumble. It doesn’t get loud either: DXOMARK measured only about 73 to 74 dBA at maximum volume, against 85 to 89 dBA for speakers like the Sony SRS-XB43 in the same test, and bass compresses and pumps as you turn it up. There is no EQ in the Bose Connect app, a single unit plays mono, and it still charges over micro USB.
Full Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) review and specifications →
| App | Bose Connect |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- RTINGS: Bose SoundLink Revolve II Review More from Rtings.com →
- DXOMARK: Bose SoundLink Revolve II Speaker review
- SoundGuys: Bose SoundLink Revolve II review More from Soundguys →
- techkiste.net: B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) vs Bose Revolve 2 vs Bose Revolve+ 2 sound-comparison
- Danny Pops: BEST Bose Speaker? Bose is getting lazy. More from DannyPops →
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