Home / Technology / JBL Go 5 Redefines Budget Bluetooth Audio
JBL Go 5 Redefines Budget Bluetooth Audio
25 Apr
Summary
- Go 5 boasts superior bass and sound clarity over Go 4.
- New Go 5 features LED lighting and enhanced durability.
- Go 5 offers 10 hours of battery life, improved from Go 4.
JBL has unveiled the Go 5, the successor to its popular Go 4 pocket speaker, as of April 2026. This latest iteration aims to redefine the budget Bluetooth speaker market, building upon the Go 4's strengths while addressing its shortcomings.
The Go 5 features a design largely similar to its predecessor, maintaining a compact, boxy form factor. However, it introduces subtle yet impactful upgrades, including LED lighting strips and a slightly increased weight. The new model boasts an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, an improvement over the Go 4's IP67, making it more robust for outdoor use.
Connectivity sees an upgrade with Bluetooth 6.0 and LC3 codec support on the Go 5, promising better sound quality. It also enhances the Auracast feature for easier multi-speaker pairing and introduces AirTouch stereo pairing for Go 5 units. Battery life has been extended to 10 hours with Playtime Boost enabled, a notable increase from the Go 4's performance.
In terms of audio performance, the JBL Go 5 delivers a significant leap forward. It provides richer sub-bass and clearer overall bass response compared to the Go 4, which could sound hollow in comparison. Dynamic management is also improved, handling complex tracks with greater clarity and balance. The Go 5 is rated as the superior option for sound quality and overall value.
While the Go 4 remains a competent speaker, especially when found on sale, the JBL Go 5 emerges as the clear winner in this comparison. It excels in value, design, sound, and battery life, making it JBL's best budget Bluetooth speaker to date. The Go 5 was released with a launch price of $54 / £39, a modest $5 increase from the Go 4's initial retail price.
