Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor. It ranks #41 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $56.80; the JBL Pulse 5 ranks #42 and costs $199.12, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor: A pretty decent sounding speaker. Set against that: Boosted bass. Somewhat uncontrolled in the bass at high levels.
On the JBL Pulse 5 side: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. The tradeoff: Not quite as deep bass as others. Plastic scratches easily.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor. 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
| Xiaomi Sound Outdoor | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $56.80 | $199.12 |
| Ranked | #41 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Speakersync, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 597 g | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7.7" x 2.7" x 2.6" (196.6 x 68 x 66 mm) | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 20W woofer, 10W tweeter + 2x passive radiators | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 30W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~58Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
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- Marshall Emberton II vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Charge 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs JBL Pulse 5
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
The Two Speakers In Full
Xiaomi Sound Outdoor: $56.80 Amazon
Pros: A pretty decent sounding speaker.
Cons: Boosted bass. Somewhat uncontrolled in the bass at high levels
Full Xiaomi Sound Outdoor review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.7" x 2.7" x 2.6" (196.6 x 68 x 66 mm) |
| Drivers | 20W woofer, 10W tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Speakersync, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 597 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Soundcore Motion 100
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Soundcore Glow
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- See all 10 comparisons
JBL Pulse 5: $199.12 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
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Motion 100
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- JBL Pulse 5 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- See all 12 comparisons