Short answer: the PocketGo for value - it costs about half as much and actually has fuller bass; the Go 5 if JBL’s extra features and clarity matter more to you. These rank #32 and #29 out of 62 small portable speakers, at $22.99 and $54.95.
The Go 5 has the clearer, more typical JBL sound, and more going on feature-wise - AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo, Auracast, a customizable 7-band app EQ, and a light show the PocketGo doesn’t have. Build quality is a step up too.
The PocketGo answers with a fuller low end for less money. It costs roughly half what the Go 5 does, and its sound stage leans a bit fuller in the bass where the Go 5 leans clearer and brighter - a real trade-off rather than one speaker simply beating the other. The PocketGo also adds a microSD slot for offline playback and a slightly higher IP68 rating.
Both are pocket-sized and USB-C charged, with the PocketGo’s battery rated shorter on paper than most speakers this size - worth knowing if all-day runtime matters to you.
Buy the PocketGo if fuller bass and a lower price matter more than extras. Buy the Go 5 if you want JBL’s clarity, AirTouch pairing, and app EQ, and don’t mind paying more for it.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit PocketGo | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $22.99 | $54.95 |
| Ranked | #32 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 7W | 4.8W |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1x 45mm full-range driver | 45mm |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (220 g) | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
| Dimensions | 4.3” x 3.2” x 1.7” (108 x 81 x 42 mm) | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Tribit app) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (6 presets + custom) | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Go 5 compares with other leading options: