These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 ranks #58 of 144 medium speakers by sound quality at $49.99; the JBL Go 5 ranks #24 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $39.95.
Why pick the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2: Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 uses 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators. Watch for: Bass is limited by its 60Hz specification.
What the JBL Go 5 does well: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. The catch: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights.
Buy the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 at $49.99 if you want a medium speaker. Buy the JBL Go 5 at $39.95 if you want a small speaker instead.
Battery life favors the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2: rated for 24 hours against 8 hours for the JBL Go 5.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $39.95 |
| Ranked | #58 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.2” x 2.3” (174 x 57 x 59 mm) | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 16W | 4.8W |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 45mm |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP68 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2: $49.99 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Soundcore 2 (rated 3/5).
Pros: Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 uses 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators. Its 372 g, claimed 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX7 protection, up to 99dB and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 60Hz specification.
Full Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.2” x 2.3” (174 x 57 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5”) titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 vs Tozo PA1
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- See all 105 comparisons
JBL Go 5: $39.95 Amazon eBay
Older models: the JBL Go 4 (rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Go 3 (rated 3.2/5).
Pros: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking. 7-band custom app EQ, up from the Go 4’s 5-band. USB-C wired audio input.
Cons: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights. Still lacking bass and not very clear overall. Mono downmixing produces an audible growling artifact, the same issue noted on the JBL Charge 6. Falls well short of similarly priced rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. Weak off-axis dispersion and an uneven, upper-mid-heavy tonal balance. Doesn’t get meaningfully louder at max volume, just harsher.
Full JBL Go 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 4.8W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons