Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5 for features, the Minirig 3 with subwoofer for balance. The Xtreme 5 has a removable battery but is high priced at $399.95, while the Minirig bundle costs $260. The Minirig sounds very balanced, but it is not stereo and its app is buggy.
The case for the JBL Xtreme 5: Removable battery. Set against that: High priced.
What the Minirig mk3 with subwoofer gets right: Very balanced sound. Set against that: Not stereo, app is buggy.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Minirig 3 with subwoofer when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Xtreme 5 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Minirig 3 with subwoofer at Splash resistant (splashing).
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Minirig 3 with subwoofer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $260 |
| Ranked | #2 of 78 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #6 of 78 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | Splash resistant |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Proprietary USB cable |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 3.1 lbs (1.42 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 13.6" x 6.5" x 6.1" (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 4" x 2.9" (101.6 x 73 mm) (diameter x height) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 70mm custom driver |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Aux Latency | - | 1ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 47Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 60ms |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Xtreme 5:
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Brane X vs JBL Xtreme 5
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig 2 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Xtreme 5: $399.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Removable battery. Quite deep bass, reaching well below 40Hz. A fantastic sounding speaker with excellent off-axis dispersion, a big step up from older JBL portables. Beats the Soundcore Boom 2 and Tribit Stormbox Blast on bass depth and clarity. Plays clean at volume, unlike the JBL Boombox 4.
Cons: High priced. Some bass boost. A hole in the mid-upper bass which can’t be EQ’d out. Default EQ presets are weak (Signature is boring, Chill and Vocal are close to unusable) - needs the custom EQ to sound its best. Bigger and heavier than the Xtreme 4.
Setup: Try this Oluv EQ for the most neutral sound
Full JBL Xtreme 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 13.6" x 6.5" x 6.1" (346 x 165 x 155 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - universal EQ for best sound overall More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 vs Studio Monitors: too V-shaped or not to V-shaped, that’s the question!
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - outdoor test
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: Minirigs 4 with Sub 4 vs JBL Xtreme 5 - 1st impressions
- Oluv Patreon: VIFA Helsinki & JBL Xtreme 5 - listening test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 5 - 1st detailed impression with custom EQs
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 5 - outdoor test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Brane X vs JBL Xtreme 5: Maximum Bass, No Mercy More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 2026, massive upgrade over JBL Xtreme 4! Full tests!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4 in 2026
- Alan Ross Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ImoaGw3t0
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 or the amazing Tribit Stormbox Blast? 🤔
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Minirig 3 with subwoofer: $260 Minirigs eBay
Pros: Very balanced sound. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo, app is buggy. Wireless TWS pairing is buggy. Not easy to carry on the go, no handle and there’s 2 pieces. Calls itself splash resistant but has no official water rating. A bit expensive. Has reliability issues more often than any other speaker
Full Minirig 3 with subwoofer review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 1ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 60ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4" x 2.9" (101.6 x 73 mm) (diameter x height) |
| Drivers | 70mm custom driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant |
| Maximum SPL | 103dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary USB cable |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) |
| Weight | 3.1 lbs (1.42 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast or two Motion Boom Pluses for best cheap boombox? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig mk3 sub vs mk2 subwoofer - full sound test, 1.1, 2.1, 2.2
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom vs JBL Xtreme 3 LG PN7 & Minirig mk3 💯👍
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig mk3 2.2 (2x subwoofers) vs 2x Soundcore Motion Booms 🤑
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig 4 vs Minirig 3, stuff they tell you, stuff they don’t! 😂
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Minirig 3 with subwoofer vs Minirig 2 with subwoofer
- Minirig 3 with subwoofer vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
- Minirig 3 with subwoofer vs Brane X
- Minirig 3 with subwoofer vs Vifa Oslo
- Minirig 3 with subwoofer vs Sony ULT Field 5
- Minirig 3 with subwoofer vs Dali Katch G2
- Minirig 3 with subwoofer vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- Minirig 3 with subwoofer vs Harman Kardon Luna 2