Short answer: the Tronsmart Trip 2. It ranks #26 of 63 small speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $19.99; the JBL Go 5 ranks #29, rated 3.2/5, and costs $54.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Tronsmart Trip 2 is the longer-running pick. A cheap, pocketable waterproof speaker with a long battery, a lanyard, app EQ, and microSD playback. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 8 for the JBL Go 5. The catch: Beautiful Zar DJ found the JBL Go 4 warmer with weightier bass, while the Trip 2’s bass is dry and thin, and some listeners found its treble exaggerated.
The JBL Go 5 is the lighter choice. A pocket sized fully waterproof speaker with tap to pair stereo linking, app EQ, and USB-C audio input. At 0.5 lbs (230 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Tronsmart Trip 2 at 0.7 lbs (340 g). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Tronsmart Trip 2 lacks. The catch: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the JBL Go 4 besides the lights.
Buy the Tronsmart Trip 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Go 5 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Tronsmart Trip 2 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $54.95 |
| Ranked | #26 of 63 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 63 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 10W | 4.8W |
| App | Yes (Tronsmart) | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours at 50% volume (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Charging Time | 3.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Dimensions | 3.1”H x 7.1”W x 1.6”D (80 x 180 x 41 mm) | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes (app) | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP68 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (0.34 kg) | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | Yes (USB-C) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Where the Ratings Come From
- Tronsmart Trip 2: reviews by Jagist, TechMishka and Kervin Ultra Bass.
- JBL Go 5: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Techder Audios and TechMishka.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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