Short answer: the JBL Pulse 5. Both are rated 3.7/5 for sound quality (#48 and #49 of 164 medium speakers), and the JBL Pulse 5 costs $218.99 against $329.95 for the JBL Pulse 6, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
Why pick the JBL Pulse 5: JBL Pulse 5 uses 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter. The catch: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification.
The case for the JBL Pulse 6: A 63.8mm woofer on 30W RMS and a 16mm tweeter on 10W RMS, with JBL rating the response down to 42Hz, well below the Pulse 5’s 58Hz. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Pulse 5 lacks. Watch for: No independent measurements or tested reviews have been published yet, so its real bass extension, loudness and tonal balance can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the JBL Pulse 5. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $110.96 less than the JBL Pulse 6.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Pulse 5 | JBL Pulse 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $218.99 | $329.95 |
| Ranked | #48 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #49 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | JBL One |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) | 3.3 lbs (1.49 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Dimensions | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) | 10.4”H x 5.2”W x 4.2”D (264 x 132 x 106 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 63.8mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C (5V/3A) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 40W RMS (30W woofer, 10W tweeter) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C, lossless) |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Auracast) |
| Strap | No | No |
| Battery Capacity | - | 34Wh (7.2V, 4722mAh) |
| Charging Time | - | 4.5 hours |
| Power Bank | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Pulse 5:
- Earfun Uboom L vs JBL Pulse 5
- 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 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Pulse 5: $218.99 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Pulse 6, ranked lower, estimated 3.7/5.
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 Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Motion 100
- JBL Pulse 5 vs W-King D320
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- JBL Pulse 5 vs JBL Charge Essential 3 SE
- See all 93 comparisons
JBL Pulse 6: $329.95 Estimated Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Pulse 5 (ranked higher, rated 3.7/5).
Pros: A 63.8mm woofer on 30W RMS and a 16mm tweeter on 10W RMS, with JBL rating the response down to 42Hz, well below the Pulse 5’s 58Hz. IP68 makes it fully dustproof and submersible, a step up from the Pulse 5’s IP67. The 360° light show now runs over an illuminated carry handle too, with 16 themes, a double-tap bedside lamp and a Sunset Mode sleep timer in the JBL One app. Bluetooth 6.0 with SBC, AAC and LC3, lossless playback over USB-C, and Auracast for stereo pairing or linking PartyBox speakers and PartyLight Sticks.
Cons: No independent measurements or tested reviews have been published yet, so its real bass extension, loudness and tonal balance can’t be compared with ranked speakers. It plays in mono from one woofer and one tweeter, so a single unit gives no stereo separation. Battery life is rated at only 12 hours from its 34Wh pack, charging takes up to 4.5 hours, and the USB-C port can’t charge a phone. There is no strap, only the built-in handle.
Full JBL Pulse 6 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W RMS (30W woofer, 10W tweeter) |
|---|---|
| App | JBL One |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Capacity | 34Wh (7.2V, 4722mAh) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C, lossless) |
| Dimensions | 10.4”H x 5.2”W x 4.2”D (264 x 132 x 106 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.8mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A) |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast) |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.49 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Pulse 6 vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- JBL Pulse 6 vs JBL Charge Essential 3 SE
- JBL Pulse 6 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- JBL Pulse 6 vs Sonos Play
- JBL Pulse 6 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- JBL Pulse 6 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- JBL Pulse 6 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- JBL Pulse 6 vs JBL Charge 4
- See all 50 comparisons