JBL Go 5 vs Go 4: What Changed and Who Should Upgrade
Key takeaways
- The Go 5 adds 4.8W output, IP68, USB-C wired audio, edge lights and AirTouch pairing.
- Battery runs 8 hours, or 10 with Playtime Boost; it weighs about 8.1 oz (230 g).
- Best Buy lists it at $54.95; Go 4 owners do not need to rush an upgrade.
JBL Go 5 vs Go 4 comes down to a handful of real upgrades. The Go 5 plays louder and runs an hour longer per charge, and it adds IP68 protection and USB-C wired audio. Best Buy lists it at $54.95.
The JBL Go 5 keeps the Go 4’s pocketable size while raising output and battery life and adding IP68 dust and water protection, USB-C wired playback and edge lighting. This guide covers what changed and who should upgrade, spec by spec.
Sound and connections: what changed
The JBL Go 5 uses a 45 mm (1.77 in) full-range transducer and a passive radiator for extra bass. Rated output rises from the Go 4’s 4.2W to 4.8W RMS.
On paper the gap is small, but it gives a bit more headroom in a small room and a little more punch in the low end. It suits listening up close, at a desk, by the bed or around a camp table, more than filling a whole living room.
The first change you notice is the ambient edge lighting above and below the grille. The lights show power and connection status, and the JBL Portable app offers effects such as Bounce and Loop. You do not need them, but on a desk or nightstand the design difference from earlier Go models is obvious.
Two Go 5 speakers can pair with AirTouch: bring them close and tap them together to connect, with no trip through a settings screen.
The USB-C port does more, too. Besides charging, it supports wired digital audio up to 24-bit/48kHz through a built-in DAC. Connect a laptop or phone with a USB-C cable and you can play music without Bluetooth, a clear step up from the Go 4 if you plan to keep it next to a PC.
Durability improves to an IP68 dust and water rating. It can survive up to 30 minutes in fresh water 4.9 ft (1.5 m) deep, making it well suited to places where water and dust are likely, such as bathrooms, pool decks and campsites.
JBL Go 5 vs Go 4 at a glance
The extra features brought changes to output, battery and weight. Here is how the two compare.
| Spec | JBL Go 4 | JBL Go 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated output | 4.2W RMS | 4.8W RMS |
| USB-C | Charging | Charging and wired audio |
| Protection | IP67 | IP68 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Battery | 7 hours / 9 with Boost | 8 hours / 10 with Boost |
| Weight | About 6.7 oz (190 g) | About 8.1 oz (230 g) |
| Speaker pairing | Auracast | AirTouch |
The Go 5 weighs about 8.1 oz (230 g), roughly 1.4 oz (40 g) more than the Go 4’s 6.7 oz (190 g). That is no burden to carry, but it feels a little heavier in the hand. The 1,000mAh battery plays for up to 8 hours, and Playtime Boost in the JBL Portable app stretches that to 10, an hour more than the Go 4 in each mode.
Sound quality and limits to know before buying
For its size, the Go 5 sounds pleasant with vocals and acoustic music. At moderate volume, voices are fairly clear and the highs are not harsh, so it is easy to listen to at a desk or by the bed.
A speaker that fits in your hand still has limits. A single Go 5 plays in mono, so do not expect wide left-right sound; it works best up close rather than in a big room. If you want stereo, pair two as left and right channels. AirTouch makes that quick and gives more sense of space than one speaker.
Check what is in the box. A USB-C cable is not included, so you need your own for charging or wired audio. There is no 3.5 mm (1/8 in) AUX jack either: you cannot plug in a desktop or audio device’s headphone output directly, and wired playback works only as USB-C digital audio.
Nine JBL Go 5 colors: which to pick
The JBL Go 5 comes in nine colors. With that many, it is easiest to choose by where it will sit or what devices it sits next to.
- Black
- White
- Blue
- Red
- Pink
- Purple
- Yellow
- Teal Blue
- Squad (camo)
For a calm desk or bedroom, Black and White are safe picks. They match a laptop or monitor easily and are easy to live with for years.
For camping or outdoor use, Squad, with its camo pattern, fits well. It looks clearly different from the solid colors and stands out next to camping gear. If you want something more eye-catching with the lights, look at Pink, Purple or Blue: the body color and edge lighting show together, so the design stands out more than Black or White.
JBL Go 5 price in the US
In the US, Best Buy lists the JBL Go 5 at $54.95. Check the retailer for current color availability before you buy.
Who should buy the JBL Go 5?
In the JBL Go 5 vs Go 4 decision, a current Go 4 owner gains too little to force an upgrade. If this is your first small speaker, you get more features to use.
For a compact Bluetooth speaker to take between the desk, bathroom and campsite, it is worth a look. Next to a laptop, USB-C wired audio is the upgrade that matters. By a pool or in a tent, IP68 and the extra hour of battery are the reasons to pick the Go 5. Shopping for earbuds instead? Our Bose QC Ultra Earbuds comparison walks through the same kind of upgrade question.
