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JBL Go 5 review

No. 2 of 10 in our bluetooth speakers ranking · Updated · How we rank

Our verdict: The JBL Go 5 ranks 2nd of the 10 bluetooth speakers we compare, with 9.5 out of 10. It takes our Value for Money badge.

JBL Go 5

9.5/10Value for Money

The JBL Go 5 is a palm-sized, IP68-rated Bluetooth speaker with a built-in loop for clipping to a bag. It suits anyone who wants a small, waterproof speaker for the shower, a rucksack or a desk, and not one for filling a garden.

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Why it's here

  • IP67 rating covers dust and dunks in water
  • Small and light enough to clip to a rucksack
  • Clear, punchy sound for its size
  • Auracast lets it join other compatible speakers

Keep in mind

  • Around 8 hours per charge, with a short extra boost mode
  • Bass is limited; it will not fill a garden
  • No charger in the box, so you need a USB-C cable and plug

Why the JBL Go 5 scores 9.5

Each bar shows where it places among the 10 bluetooth speakers in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.

  • How happy owners are4th of 10
  • How many rated it6th of 10
  • How new it is1st of 10

Why it sits behind the JBL Charge 6

The JBL Charge 6 (9.6) beats the JBL Go 5 (9.5) because it leaves owners a little happier. The JBL Go 5 is the newer design, but not by enough to close the gap. It takes our Value for Money badge instead.

About the JBL Go 5

The Go 5 is JBL's smallest speaker. It measures about 10.1 cm wide, 7.7 cm high and 4.2 cm deep and weighs 230 g, so it fits in a hand or a jacket pocket. A fabric loop at one end lets you clip it to a rucksack strap or hang it up. A single 45 mm driver delivers 4.8 W, up from 4.2 W on the Go 4.

It is rated IP68 for dust and submersion, and JBL also sells it as drop-resistant. Bluetooth is version 6.0 with SBC, AAC and LC3 codecs. A USB-C port handles charging and also takes a wired audio connection. Two Go 5 speakers can pair for stereo by tapping them together (AirTouch), and Auracast lets it join other compatible speakers, set up through the JBL Portable app. The app also has a 7-band EQ and ambient lighting in a single colour that matches the speaker.

Rated battery life is up to 8 hours, or up to 10 hours with Playtime Boost, which trims the bass to stretch the charge. A full charge takes around 3 hours. The box holds the speaker only, so you need your own USB-C cable and plug. There is no microphone, so it cannot take calls.

What owners report about the JBL Go 5

Owner feedback we could find for the Go 5 is mostly from short-term use, so there is little on how it holds up after many months. What turns up most is surprise at the sound for such a small speaker: owners describe it as loud and full, with more bass than they expected. They also like how light it is, how quickly it pairs, and that two speakers can be linked for stereo.

Complaints are fewer and fairly consistent. The most common is that no charger comes in the box. Some owners find the flashing ambient lights distracting, and at least one could not switch them off. A few wanted more bass or more EQ presets, which matches the independent reviews that call volume and bass limited. Playtime Boost gets less attention from owners than the base battery figure, which most seem to find adequate for a speaker this size.

Who the JBL Go 5 suits

Buy the Go 5 if you want a speaker that goes everywhere: clipped to a bag, left in a bathroom, taken to the beach. It is clear and punchy at personal and small-room volumes, and the IP68 rating covers rain, splashes and a dunk. It also works as a second speaker for pairing with another Go 5.

Look elsewhere if you need bass or volume for a garden or party: the JBL Charge 6 is the bigger, louder choice, and the JBL Flip 7 sits in between. If battery life matters most, the Marshall Emberton III lasts far longer. If you want a speaker for calls, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) has a good microphone. Someone who already owns a Go 4 has little reason to upgrade, as independent reviewers call the Go 5 a small update.

Questions about the JBL Go 5

Which is better, JBL Go 4 or Go 5?

The Go 5 is slightly better, but not by much. It has a higher IP68 rating, 4.8 W against 4.2 W, a 7-band EQ, Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C wired audio and up to 8 hours of battery against 7. SoundGuys says sound differences are slight and Go 4 owners have little reason to switch.

When was the JBL Go 5 released?

It was released in April 2026. SoundGuys gives 26 April 2026 as the release date.

Is the JBL Go 5 waterproof?

Yes. It has an IP68 rating, which covers dust and full submersion. JBL also describes it as drop-resistant.

How many watts is the JBL Go 5?

It outputs 4.8 W from a single 45 mm driver. The Go 4 manages 4.2 W.

Does the JBL Go 5 have a microphone for calls?

No. SoundGuys confirms it has no microphone, so it cannot be used for phone calls.

Other bluetooth speaker picks

The other badge winners in our bluetooth speakers ranking.

All 10 bluetooth speakers, compared

  1. 1 JBL Charge 6Best Choice 9.6 Check Price
  2. 2 JBL Go 5This reviewValue for Money 9.5 Check Price
  3. 3 Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)Best Premium 9.5 Check Price
  4. 4 Soundcore Select 4 GoBest Budget 9.5 Check Price
  5. 5 JBL Flip 7 9.3 Check Price
  6. 6 Beats Pill 9.2 Check Price
  7. 7 Soundcore 3 A3117 9.1 Check Price
  8. 8 Marshall Emberton III 9.0 Check Price
  9. 9 Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 8.8 Check Price
  10. 10 Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 V3 8.6 Check Price
See the full bluetooth speakers ranking

The JBL Go 5 on Amazon

JBL Go 5

The JBL Go 5 is a palm-sized, IP68-rated Bluetooth speaker with a built-in loop for clipping to a bag. 9.5 out of 10.

Check Price on Amazon

How we score it

Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. Too few review sites cover bluetooth speakers for their verdicts to lead, so this ranking is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 20 models for this guide before settling on these ten.

Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in November 2026.

How we rank, in full

Where these facts come from