Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party. It ranks #20 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $149.99; the JBL Pulse 5 ranks #47, rated 3.7/5, and costs $224.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Xiaomi Sound Party is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Pulse 5. At 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Pulse 5 at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). The catch: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
Why pick the JBL Pulse 5: A waterproof party speaker with a built in light show, app EQ and linking with up to 100 other JBL speakers. The catch: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Pulse 5 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle.
A waterproof party speaker with a built in light show, app EQ and linking with up to 100 other JBL speakers.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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
| Xiaomi Sound Party | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $224.99 |
| Ranked | #20 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 40W |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) | USB-C |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | No |
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