JBL Go 5
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Innovative & attractive lighting
- Improved durability
- More color options to choose from
- Good battery life
- Affordable
Cons
- Bass not so great due to size of speaker
- Ambient edge lighting not RGB
- Others have better battery life
“If you need a Bluetooth speaker that fits in your pocket but still packs a serious punch, the Go 5 is best choice. JBL took everything we loved about the older models and fixed almost every single flaw.“
If you’re looking for a tiny Bluetooth speaker to throw in your backpack, you’ve most likely come across a few under the JBL Go lineup. These little brick-shaped speakers have been rocking pool parties and sunny beach days alive for years. Now, the new JBL Go 5 is here. At first glance, it looks just like the older models. But JBL this time packed some massive tech upgrades into this little palm-sized Bluetooth speaker. If this little guy’s piquing your interest, let’s dive into the JBL Go 5 Speaker Review. Whether this budget-friendly companion deserves a spot in your gear bag, or it’s just another Bluetooth speaker with decent sound but no impact.
Overview
Can a Bluetooth speaker the size of a deck of cards actually bring a dead party alive? That’s the exact promise of the brand-new JBL Go 5 speaker. Priced at an incredibly friendly $55, this little pocket rocket keeps the signature, ultra-portable soap-bar shape and handy strap loop that fans have loved for years.
But don’t let the familiar look fool you; JBL completely overhauled the internal tech for this generation. It now packs an upgraded 4.8W power output for extra punch, with cutting-edge Bluetooth 6.0 for flawless connectivity, and a ruggedized IP68 rating that is fully dustproof, waterproof, and drop-resistant.
Overall, JBL didn’t just make a minor tweak; they created the ultimate summer sidekick. It perfectly balances grab-and-go convenience with surprisingly smart premium features, making it the absolute gold standard for budget portable audio.
Specs
The Best Features
So what’s so great about this JBL Go 5 speaker anyway?
First you get the lossless USB-C Audio. This is the absolute best surprise. While the older Go 4 only used its USB-C port for charging, the Go 5 actually lets you plug it directly into your phone or laptop with a cable to play high-res, lossless audio.
Second is the ‘AirTouch’ Stereo Pairing. If your friend also has a Go 5, you can physically tap the two speakers together end-to-end. They instantly chime and link up into a true left-and-right stereo pair. No messy app menus required. That would greatly enhance the sound but that means getting a another G0 5.
Thirdly is the ambient edge lighting. JBL added two elegant, soft white LED strips along the top and bottom edges. They pulse with the music and act as visual indicators when your battery’s running low or when you’re pairing devices. It would be great if it was RGB LED strips but this is what you get at the affordable price.
Next, the Go 5 comes available in a choice of seven amazing color designs to choose from. my favorite being the black, blue and the ‘camouflage’
The companion app now gives you a full 7-band equalizer. This gives you much finer control to boost the bass or crisp up the vocals compared to the older versions.
And lastly, tougher durability feature. The Go 5 comes with an IP68 rating, which means it’s officially dust-proof, water-proof and shock-proof. You don’t need to worry about the Go 5 not working anymore after it being exposed natural elements like dust and water.
The Deal Breakers
As this tiny powerful speaker is great, sadly it’s not perfect. Why? Either than the obvious physical limitations due to its small size, here’s a few more to note:
Firstly, while the 4.8W sound delivery makes it plenty loud for a desk or a small picnic blanket, it’ll distort and sound harsh if you max out the volume. You simply cannot get earth-shaking bass out of something this small. It’s a bit disappointing but it’s understandable. A Bluetooth speaker this small can’t possibly deliver the best quality bass.
Next is the ‘Playtime Boost’ trade off. The battery lasts about 8 hours normally (up to 10 with Playtime Boost). However, turning on the battery boost mode aggressively cuts out the bass frequencies to save juice, which makes the music sound a bit thin. It’s great that you can use the Go 5 for longer when turning on the ‘Playtime Boost’, however, if it lowers bass quality then that doesn’t sound great.
Lastly, there’s still no built-in speaker phone/mic. If a phone call comes in while you’re listening to music, you’ll have to answer it on your phone screen. Not exactly a major flaw but it’s something to note.
The Alternatives
If the Go 5 speaker isn’t really what you’re looking for after all, here’s a few alternatives to consider.
Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go The Cheaper, Longer Battery Life Alternative ★★★★☆ 4.0 Good Why chain yourself to a charger when you can keep the party rocking all day long? While the JBL Go 5 introduces some flashy new features, the Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go completely leaves it in the dust where it matters most: pure endurance. For nearly half the price, Anker gives you a mind-blowing 20 hours of battery life compared to the JBL’s meager 8 hours, meaning you can survive a full weekend getaway without ever hunting for a wall plug. It also pushes a slightly punchier 5W of audio output, features a fully customizable 9-band EQ through the app, and boasts a clever, IP67-rated chassis that actually floats on top of the water if you accidentally drop it in the pool. Ultimately, if you value massive battery life, smart physical durability, and maximum bang for your buck, the Soundcore Select 4 Go is the smarter, more practical pocket speaker for real-world adventures.
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 The Punchy Budget Alternative ★★★★⯪ 4.5 Excellent Why settle for directional audio when you can wrap your entire campsite in immersive sound? While the JBL Go 5 relies on a single front-firing driver that forces you to point it exactly where you’re sitting, the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 completely changes the game with a true 360-degree acoustic design that pushes music evenly in every single direction. Thanks to its dual active drivers and passive radiators, it pumps out significantly heavier bass and a broader soundstage than the tiny JBL brick can ever dream of. It also runs laps around the Go 5 with a massive 14 hours of battery life, features a dedicated “Outdoor Boost” mode to cut through wind noise, and its rugged, drop-proof IP67 body actually floats on top of the water if you drop it in the pool. Overall, if you are looking for a speaker that fills the air with bigger, bassier audio, lasts all day, and shrugs off accidental deep-water plunges, the WONDERBOOM 4 is a powerhouse upgrade that is well worth the extra cash.
JBL Go 4 The Budget Alternative ★★★★☆ 4.0 Good
Why go for the new model for fancy bells and whistles when the classic formula already works perfectly? While the newer model grabs headlines with its shiny new edge lights and minor tech tweaks, the JBL Go 4 remains the absolute champion of smart value and pure portability. Weighing in at a noticeably lighter 6.7 ounces compared to the bulkier Go 5, this pocket-sized brick slides into any backpack corner or jacket pocket with zero friction, while still delivering shockingly punchy sound and clear vocals for its size. Because the two speakers sound virtually identical at normal, casual listening volumes, choosing the Go 4 means you still get a rugged IP67 waterproof design, app EQ support, and reliable Auracast pairing—but usually at a massive discount compared to the newest generation. Overall, if you want ultra-light travel convenience and great everyday sound without paying a premium for cosmetic upgrades, saving your cash and grabbing the discounted JBL Go 4 is the savviest move you can make. 
The Final Verdict
So, is the JBL Go 5 actually worth your hard-earned cash, or is it just clever marketing? Here’s what we say: if you need a Bluetooth speaker that fits in your pocket but still packs a serious punch, the Go 5 is best choice. JBL took everything we loved about the older models and fixed almost every single flaw.
With the addition of lossless USB-C audio, a virtually indestructible IP68 drop-proof body, and that incredibly fun “tap-to-pair” AirTouch feature, it completely redefines what a $55 speaker can do. It is durable, incredibly smart, and loud enough to turn any spontaneous hangout into a party. If you want to grab one for your next adventure, click here to check out the best current deals on the JBL Go 5.
That’s all for now for this JBL Go 5 Speaker Review. Let’s hear from you on the comments below! Would you pick the new JBL Go 5? What do you think about the other portable Bluetooth speakers? Drop us a comment below and let us know what you think 😀