“There’s no contest”: I tested the new JBL Go 5 against the now cheaper JBL Go 4. Here’s Which Bluetooth Speaker I’d Spend My Money On and Why

Recently, I got my hands on the JBL Go 5, the latest edition of the audio specialist’s smallest and most affordable Bluetooth speaker. And to say it impressed me would be an understatement.

With great sound quality in a small package, top-notch durability, and attractive LED lights, this proved that JBL is still the king of the mini Bluetooth speaker world. It is also available at a very low price…

However, with the Go 5 finally on the market, you can now easily swipe the previous generation JBL Go 4 model with deep discounts that could easily tempt you to opt for that option instead, saving a bit of money.

Since the Go 4 was already one of the best Bluetooth speakers in the small size category, I see a lot of people wondering which one to buy. So, is the JBL Go 5 worth buying over its predecessor, even at a higher price?

After testing both side by side, for me the JBL Go 5 is the better buy, even if you have to pay up to 30% more for it – because that difference isn’t really a lot of money, but the speaker itself is a big improvement. Let me explain everything to you.

JBL Go 5 vs JBL Go 4 specs at a glance

How do the features and design of the JBL Go 5 differ from the Go 4?

First, let’s look at the main differences between the Go 5 and Go 4.

Both models have a similar rectangular construction and feature the JBL logo at their center. Buttons are layered on the outer edges, allowing you to quickly turn on your speaker, control playback, and pair it via Bluetooth. They also feature a loop for hanging the speaker on something, which is made from sturdy fabric in both cases.

The differences in terms of construction are really minor. The Go 5 is slightly larger, the logo pops out a bit more, and there are raised “feet” on the back when you lay the speaker flat. It also features IP68 waterproofing and waterproofing, meaning it is fully protected against dust ingress and can survive 30 minutes of immersion under one and a half meters of water.

The Go 4 is rated IP67, meaning it can only swim under a meter of water safely, but this level of protection will be more than enough for most.

The obvious and major difference between the Go 4 and the Go 5 is the inclusion of lighting in the latter. You can select from a number of lighting effects in the JBL Portable app and enjoy ambient effects while listening to your tunes. This is a good idea, but if you prefer to turn it off to save battery power, you can do that.

Speaking of battery life, you get a bit more from the Go 5 than its predecessor. JBL’s new model offers eight hours of playback, with an additional two hours available thanks to PlayTime Boost.

The Go 4 comes close, with seven hours – and up to nine with increasing playback time – so you should have enough charge to continue listening to music during a meal.

Otherwise, things are pretty similar between the two models. You’ll get multi-point connectivity, EQ adjustment in the JBL Portable app, quick pairing, and Auracast connectivity for multi-speaker pairing.

Helpfully, though, the Go 5 supports AirTouch, which lets you instantly connect in stereo to another Go 5 unit simply by touching them together.

Sound quality: more difference than you might expect

So besides the Go 5’s lighting, many of the feature and design differences are the sort of incremental things you’d expect from a next-gen refresh. However, when it comes to sound quality, the upgrade is much bigger than one might expect.

I’ve liked the sound of the Go 4 since I first heard it a few years ago: it was quite clear and punchy given the model’s limited limitations. But the Go 5 has redefined what’s possible for a small speaker.

The Go 5 has a much more open and detailed audio playback quality – the Go 4 sounded compressed and restricted in comparison when I used the two side by side.

In pieces like that of Marco Castello Editto Dal SottoscoglioI was treated to a much more complete presentation on the new JBL release – the definition of a dream voice, the high, expressive hit of the hi-hats and the tone of the soaring guitars appeared with so much more life and color.

Even though the bass is inherently limited on the Go 5, the sound is also a bit cleaner compared to the Go 4, which is relatively punchy but slightly less powerful.

You’ll also be able to get more powerful sound with the Go 5, as its output power has been increased from 4.2W to 4.8W, and the speaker reaches some pretty impressive volumes – both models will succumb to compression at maximum sound levels, however.

Unlike the Go 4, you can also use wired audio on the JBL Go 5, with USB-C audio passthrough. This unlocks lossless playback, resulting in even more agile and responsive bass, surprisingly detailed mids and controlled highs. Most will probably stick with Bluetooth, but this type of functionality is cool to see nonetheless.

Verdict: This is how I would spend my money

So, in the end, which speaker is worth buying, in my opinion? Considering the JBL Go 5 has a modest list price of $54.95 / £39.99 (around AU$75), which is a very small increase over its predecessor in real terms, I’d say there’s no dispute.

With attractive, customizable lighting, incremental feature improvements, and significantly better sound, the JBL Go 5 is almost like a blueprint for how to upgrade properly.

Of course, the Go 4 is often on sale now, and I’ve regularly seen it drop below $40 / £30 / AU$50, so saving the extra $15 / £10 will be tempting. And it still delivers solid sound quality, a durable design, and phenomenal portability.

But the audio improvement alone makes the Go 5 worth choosing over its forebear. For me, this is the best small Bluetooth speaker money can buy.

Follow TechRadar on Google News And add us as your favorite source to get our news, reviews and expert opinions in your feeds.

Harry is a senior opinion editor for TechRadar. He reviews everything from party speakers to wall chargers, and has a particular interest in the worlds of audio and gaming. Harry has a background in business technology journalism, particularly in the telecommunications sector.