Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Pulse 5

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Short answer: the Soundcore Motion 300, if you are buying new. The Soundcore Motion+ ranks higher than the JBL Pulse 5 (#4 vs #48 of 175 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Soundcore Motion 300, is rated 4.5/5 at $79.99 and is still sold new.

Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Pulse 5

The Soundcore Motion+ is the better-sounding, lighter pick. 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 EarFun Uboom L. At 2.3 lbs (1.05 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Pulse 5 at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the JBL Pulse 5 lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Pulse 5 lacks. The catch: Not quite as neutral or detailed as the EarFun Uboom L.

What the JBL Pulse 5 does well: A cool light show, though it is not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the Soundcore Motion+ cannot. The tradeoff: Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.

Buy the Soundcore Motion 300, the replacement for the discontinued Soundcore Motion+; it is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Pulse 5.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Soundcore Motion+ JBL Pulse 5
Price$79.99 used, Discontinued$219.99
Ranked#4 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#48 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Aux InputYesNo
Aux Latency0ms-
Bass Extension (-10dB)54Hz~58Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsaptX, SBCSBC
Built-in MicrophoneYes-
EQYes (9 band)Yes
IP RatingIPX7IP67
Bluetooth Latency130ms-
Maximum SPL104dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)-
Party ModeNoYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankNo-
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
StereoYesNo
OmnidirectionalNoPointing up
TWSYesYes
Weight2.3 lbs (1050 g)3.3 lbs (1500 g)
Bluetooth Version5.05.3
Dimensions10.1” 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 Response50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified)58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Amplifier Power30W40W
Drivers2x 70mm (2.75”) neodymium woofers + 2x silk dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapNoNo
Lights-Yes

How Soundcore Motion+ compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 $79.99 eBay

Soundcore Motion+ ranking card

Newer model: the Soundcore Motion 300, ranked higher, rated 4.5/5, released Oct 2023. It adds party mode, AAC and LDAC, but drops the aux input and aptX. See every Soundcore Motion generation.

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 EarFun 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. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Not quite as neutral or detailed as the EarFun Uboom L. Without the above EQ, this speaker will rank around #25 in the rankings. Discontinued.

ReleasedJul 2019 (7 years ago)
Amplifier Power30W
AppYes
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency0ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)54Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsaptX, SBC
Bluetooth Latency130ms
Bluetooth Version5.0
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions10.1” x 3.1” x 3.2” (257 x 79 x 81 mm)
Drivers2x 70mm (2.75”) neodymium woofers + 2x silk dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators
EQYes (9 band)
Frequency Response50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIPX7
Maximum SPL104dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
Weight2.3 lbs (1050 g)

JBL Pulse 5: $219.99 Amazon $219.99 eBay

JBL Pulse 5 ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Pulse 6, ranked lower, estimated 3.7/5, released 2026. It adds USB audio input, AAC and LC3. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68. See every JBL Pulse generation.

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. A cool light show, though it is not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification. Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.

Released2023 (3 years ago)
Amplifier Power40W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)~58Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm)
Drivers64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter
EQYes
Frequency Response58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67
LightsYes
OmnidirectionalPointing up
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapNo
TWSYes
Weight3.3 lbs (1500 g)