Short answer: the Soundcore Motion 100. It ranks #39 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $47; the JBL Pulse 5 ranks #42 and costs $227.77, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Soundcore Motion 100: Use Oluv’s EQ for the flattest response. The tradeoff: Not very deep bass, slight distortion.
On the JBL Pulse 5 side: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. Set against that: Not quite as deep bass as others.
Buy the Soundcore Motion 100. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Pulse 5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Motion 100 | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $47 | $227.77 |
| Ranked | #39 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, LDAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 3.1" x 2.4" (190 x 80 x 60 mm) | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 575 g | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
| Output Power | 20W | 40W |
| Built in Microphone | No | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Glow
- Soundcore Glow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- JBL Charge 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs JBL Pulse 5
- Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 vs Soundcore Motion 100
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Motion 100: $47 Amazon
Pros: Use Oluv’s EQ for the flattest response
Cons: Not very deep bass, slight distortion. Real-world battery falls well short of the 12-hour claim at higher volumes (closer to 4 hours at max). Charging takes about 5 hours; no charge-out for other devices.
Full Soundcore Motion 100 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 65Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 3.1" x 2.4" (190 x 80 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 575 g |
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Pulse 5: $227.77 Amazon
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons