Short answer: the JBL Pulse 5. It ranks #47 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $224.99; the JBL Pulse 6 ranks #108, rated 3.0/5, and costs $329.95, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the JBL Pulse 6 does well: A fully waterproof party speaker with a 360 degree light show, a bedside lamp mode, app control and Auracast linking. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Pulse 5 lacks. The catch: In side by side tests it lost clearly to the Xiaomi Sound Party, the Vifa Helsinki and the Tribit Stormbox Max, and decisively to the JBL Xtreme 5, with listeners describing a thin, screechy sound that distorts at high volume.
The JBL Pulse 5 is the better-sounding pick. A waterproof party speaker with a built in light show, app EQ and linking with up to 100 other JBL speakers. Watch for: Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.
Buy the JBL Pulse 5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Pulse 6 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM 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 Pulse 6 | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.95 | $224.99 |
| Ranked | #108 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 40W RMS (30W woofer, 10W tweeter) | 40W |
| App | JBL One | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Capacity | 34Wh (7.2V, 4722mAh) | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C, lossless) | No |
| Dimensions | 10.4”H x 5.2”W x 4.2”D (264 x 132 x 106 mm) | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.8mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A) | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast) | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.49 kg) | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~58Hz |
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