Short answer: the Soundcore Motion+. It ranks #3 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $79.99; the JBL Pulse 5 ranks #42 and costs $199.12, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Soundcore Motion+ offers: The previous best sounding in class, still a great speaker with separate tweeters, more bass at full volume and better off-axis treble frequency response than the Uboom L. Just okay with the default EQ, I highly recommend using this EQ setting from r/kai7895 to get it more neutral. To achieve the absolute best sound you’ll need the Wavelet app (Android only) and set the provided Wavelet EQ in there too. Turn off the wavelet EQ for outdoor use. An alternative is Oluv’s EQ which only needs the Soundcore app EQ. Watch for: Not quite as neutral or detailed as the Uboom L. Without the above EQ, this speaker will rank around #25 in the rankings.
What the JBL Pulse 5 offers: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. Watch for: Not quite as deep bass as others. Plastic scratches easily.
Buy the Soundcore Motion+. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Pulse 5 and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Motion+ | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 used, Discontinued | $199.12 |
| Ranked | #3 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (9 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 130ms | - |
| Max Volume | 104dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.3 lbs / 1050 g | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 3.1" x 3.2" (257 x 79 x 81 mm) | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 30W | 40W |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm (2.75") neodymium woofers + 2x silk dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Soundcore Glow vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Pulse 5
- Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus vs JBL Pulse 5
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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 Motion+: $79.99 used, Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: The previous best sounding in class, still a great speaker with separate tweeters, more bass at full volume and better off-axis treble frequency response than the Uboom L. Just okay with the default EQ, I highly recommend using this EQ setting from r/kai7895 to get it more neutral. To achieve the absolute best sound you’ll need the Wavelet app (Android only) and set the provided Wavelet EQ in there too. Turn off the wavelet EQ for outdoor use. An alternative is Oluv’s EQ which only needs the Soundcore app EQ.
Cons: Not quite as neutral or detailed as the Uboom L. Without the above EQ, this speaker will rank around #25 in the rankings. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Motion+ review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 130ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 3.1" x 3.2" (257 x 79 x 81 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm (2.75") neodymium woofers + 2x silk dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (9 band) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.3 lbs / 1050 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Plus and Sony XB33 - ultimate travel speaker 2021 🤗 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: 2x Soundcore Boost (stereo) vs Motion Boom and Motion+ - Best Soundcore speaker? 😋
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beats Pill vs Harman Luna vs Bose Flex vs Soundcore Motion Plus
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D8 speaker review 50 watts power against JBL xtreme 2 and soundcore Motion plus
- Alan Ross Reviews: Earfun Uboom Review - full test - vs tribit maxsound and motion plus!
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D8 Mini vs Anker Soundcore Motion Plus Speaker
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Motion+ Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
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- See all 85 comparisons
JBL Pulse 5: $199.12 Amazon eBay
Pros: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2.
Cons: Not quite as deep bass as others. Plastic scratches easily.
Full JBL Pulse 5 review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 40W |
| 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 →
- Reddit Search for JBL Pulse 5 Review
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