JBL Go 4 vs JBL Go 5: Which Should You Buy?
The Go 5 is the newer palm-sized JBL, with better waterproofing, a little more battery and instant stereo pairing.
JBL JBL GO 4 Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Big
JBL JBL Go 5, Ultra‑Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Waterproof, Black
Side by side
| JBL GO 4 Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker | JBL Go 5, Ultra‑Portable Bluetooth Speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | See on Amazon → | See on Amazon → |
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.7 | ★★★★★ 4.8 |
| Review count | 23,543 | 1,291 |
| Brand | JBL | JBL |
| Highlights |
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Our verdict
The JBL Go 5 is the newer model and the one to buy if the two are close in price on the day: it moves from IP67 to IP68, from up to 7 hours to up to 8 hours (10 with Playtime Boost), adds AirTouch stereo pairing and ambient edge lighting, and moves to Bluetooth 6.0. The Go 4 is still a good pocket speaker and keeps Auracast and stereo pairing, so there's no need to upgrade if you own one. It only makes sense to pick the Go 4 if it's clearly the better deal.
Which one is for you?
- The JBL Go 4 suits anyone who wants a small, waterproof, everyday speaker and doesn't need the newer extras. Read our full look at the JBL GO 4 Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker →
- The JBL Go 5 suits buyers who want the latest model, IP68 protection, a slightly longer battery and quick one-bump stereo pairing. Read our full look at the JBL Go 5, Ultra‑Portable Bluetooth Speaker →
What changed from Go 4 to Go 5
The Go 5 is the newer speaker. Going by JBL's listing copy and a spec comparison from SoundGuys, the main changes are: waterproofing up from IP67 to IP68, playtime up from 7 hours to 8 hours (plus 2 hours with Playtime Boost on both), Bluetooth 6.0 instead of 5.3, extra codecs (AAC and LC3 alongside SBC), and output rated at 4.8 W against 4.2 W. JBL says the Go 5 has louder sound and deeper bass than before.
The Go 4 is the one it replaces, with JBL Pro Sound, up to 7 hours of playtime, and IP67 water and dust protection.
Battery
JBL quotes up to 7 hours plus 2 with Playtime Boost for the Go 4, and up to 8 hours plus 2 for the Go 5, so the extra is an hour on the standard figure and both top out near 9 to 10 hours. Playtime Boost trades some bass for longer play. Comparison write-ups say the battery cell size is the same, with the extra hour coming from efficiency, though we couldn't confirm cell size on JBL's pages.
Multi-speaker and pairing
Both support Auracast, which lets you link multiple compatible JBL speakers, and JBL's Go 4 listing also mentions pairing two Go 4s for stereo. The Go 5's new trick is AirTouch: bump two Go 5 speakers together and they pair as a left and right stereo pair. If you only ever use one speaker, that won't matter to you.
The Go 5 also adds ambient edge lighting, with light themes and visual cues for power, pairing, low battery and Auracast mode. SoundGuys lists the JBL Portable app for both, with a 7-band EQ on the Go 5 and 5-band on the Go 4, though we couldn't confirm app details on JBL's own pages.
Waterproofing and durability
IP67 means dust-tight and able to survive immersion to 1 metre for up to 30 minutes. IP68 is dust-tight with immersion beyond that, to a depth the maker specifies. For poolside, beach or shower use either is fine. JBL's Go 5 copy adds a drop-proof build, while the Go 4 copy says only that it's a sturdy little speaker.
Which one makes sense now
Because the Go 5 is the current model, the Go 4 is the one most likely to be found at a lower price or to turn up as old stock. That's the only real reason to buy it. The two look and carry the same, both are palm-sized, both come with USB-C charging, and for a single speaker on a shelf, in a bag or by a pool the day-to-day experience is similar. If the gap is small, take the Go 5 for the IP68 rating and the longer rated battery. If you want two for stereo and plan to bump them together, the Go 5 is the only one with AirTouch.
Who should skip both
If you want more bass or room-filling volume, a Go won't do it. Look at the larger speakers in the home audio range, and see our Flip 7 vs Charge 6 comparison. For headphones, see JBL Tune 520BT vs Sony WH-CH520.
Questions people ask
Is the JBL Go 5 better than the Go 4?
Yes on paper: it's IP68 rather than IP67, has a slightly longer rated battery, newer Bluetooth, AirTouch stereo pairing and edge lighting. The core size and role are the same.
Is it worth upgrading from the Go 4 to the Go 5?
Usually not. The Go 4 already has Auracast and stereo pairing. Upgrade only if you want IP68, AirTouch or the lighting.
How long does the Go 5 battery last?
JBL's listing says up to 8 hours, plus an extra 2 hours with Playtime Boost. The Go 4 is quoted at up to 7 hours plus 2.
Is the Go 5 waterproof?
JBL lists IP68 waterproof and dustproof protection for the Go 5. The Go 4 is IP67.
Do the Go 4 and Go 5 support Auracast?
Yes. JBL's Go 4 listing mentions Auracast, and the Go 5 listing refers to Auracast mode in its lighting cues.
Sources
- SoundGuys, JBL Go 5 vs Go 4: which tiny JBL speaker should you buy
- Notebookcheck, JBL Go 5 launch report
- JBL Store Indonesia, JBL Go 4 product page
Prices are pulled live from Amazon.
Prices move around, so always confirm on Amazon before deciding. Browse more options in Hi-Fi & Home Audio or see the whole Electronics department. New to the category? Start with our buying guide.