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 #27 and #24 out of 47 small portable speakers, at $22.99 and $44.95.
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.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit PocketGo is rated for 20 hours versus 8 hours for the JBL Go 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit PocketGo | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $22.99 | $44.95 |
| Ranked | #27 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Output Power | 7W | 4.8W |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1x 45mm full-range driver | 45mm |
| 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 (up to 128GB) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Discontinued | No | - |
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit PocketGo: $22.99 Amazon
Pros: Fuller low end than the JBL Go 5, despite the JBL’s clearer, more typical JBL sound. Costs about half the price of the JBL Go 5. Can stand, hang from its loop, or lay flat on its feet for flexible placement. About on par with the Soundcore Select 4 Go, and a touch louder at lower volumes. App support with signature EQ and customization.
Cons: Battery life isn’t the biggest for this speaker class. JBL Go 5 has better build quality plus lightshow, Auracast, and AirTouch. Loses more bass than the Soundcore Select 4 Go at maximum volume. Slightly nasal quality to the sound.
Full Tribit PocketGo review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Tribit app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.3" x 3.2" x 1.7" (108 x 81 x 42 mm) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 1x 45mm full-range driver |
| EQ | Yes (6 presets + custom) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes (up to 128GB) |
| Output Power | 7W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 220 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Go 5: $44.95 Amazon
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 →
| 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 |
| Output Power | 4.8W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 230 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 12, 2026 at 5:33 PM UTC 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.