Short answer: the Minirig 4. It ranks #6 of 142 medium speakers by sound quality at $229.95; the JBL Pulse 5 ranks #44 and costs $239.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Minirig 4 offers: Modular, can easily attach a subwoofer. Finally USB-C charging. Dynamically changes sound based on forward facing or upward facing orientation Watch for: Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating. App is buggy. A bit expensive. Has reliability issues more often than any other speaker
What the JBL Pulse 5 offers: 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. Watch for: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification.
Buy the Minirig 4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Pulse 5 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
If battery life is a priority, the Minirig 4 is rated for 30 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Pulse 5.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Pulse 5 is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Minirig 4 at Splash resistant (splashing).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Minirig 4 | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229.95 | $239.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #44 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 60ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) | - |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 4" x 2.9" (101.6 x 73 mm) (diameter x height) | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 70mm custom driver | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 40W |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Minirig 4 compares with other leading options:
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- Minirig 4 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Minirig 4 vs Soundcore Motion+
- Minirig 4 vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
- Denon Envaya DSB-250BT vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Minirig 4: $229.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Modular, can easily attach a subwoofer. Finally USB-C charging. Dynamically changes sound based on forward facing or upward facing orientation. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating. App is buggy. A bit expensive. Has reliability issues more often than any other speaker
Full Minirig 4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, 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 | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Pulse 5: $239.99 Amazon eBay
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. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification.
Full JBL Pulse 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| 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