New JBL Go 5 for $58 (2026) vs Go 4 — USB-C DAC connection, Bluetooth 6.0, and IP68

JBL has updated the smallest speaker in its lineup with the JBL Go 5, priced at $58. The previous JBL Go 4 cost $49.95 and ranked among the best-selling portable speakers globally. I’m taking a look at why they’re charging $8 more.

• Bluetooth: 5.3 → 6.0 (LC3 and LE Audio kept)
• Power: 4.2W → 4.8W RMS average (nominal) power (+14%)
• Battery: 7h → 8h (+ Playtime Boost up to 10h)
• Protection: IP67 → IP68, full protection got an upgrade
• USB-C audio with built-in DAC — lossless wired
• WINK backlight
• Auracast now via BT 6.0 (was in Go 4 via 5.3)

Sound. The JBL Go 5 speaker’s power increased by 14%, going from 4.2 to 4.8W RMS. The 45mm driver is the same size as the one in the Go 4, but it’s more powerful. Codecs: SBC, AAC, and LC3 via LE Audio.

USB-C Audio. This is the standout new feature in the JBL Go 5 specs. On the Go 4, the USB-C port only handled charging. On the Go 5, you get a built-in DAC. Plug it into your laptop or phone with a cable, and you can play audio losslessly. For a $58 speaker, that’s unexpected. However, what kind of lossless quality you’ll actually get through a single mono speaker remains an open question =)

Protection. IP67 jumped to IP68. While the Go 4 could survive a meter of water for 30 minutes, the Go 5 promises more, though JBL hasn’t detailed the exact parameters yet.

Battery. You get 8 hours of basic playback, or up to 10 hours with Playtime Boost, an economy mode that cuts down on bass. The battery is 1000 mAh, which is the same capacity as the Go 4, meaning they optimized power consumption rather than increasing the size. Recharging takes 3 hours via USB-C at 5V/1A. The Go 4 offered 7 plus 2 hours. That extra hour isn’t revolutionary, but I’ll take it.

WINK. There’s a built-in backlight you can customize through the JBL Portable app. It adds visuals, but it also adds 40 grams of weight, bumping the speaker up from 190 to 230g. It comes in 6 colors: black, red, sky blue, pink, orange, and dark blue (cloisonné).

Auracast. This lets you broadcast sound to multiple wireless speakers at once. The Go 4 handled this via Bluetooth 5.3, while the Go 5 uses 6.0 for better synchronization.

Stereo Pair. The AirTouch feature lets you place two Go 5s side-by-side and turn them on to automatically link them into a stereo pair. No app or setup required.

Release Date. The JBL Go 5 speaker is currently up for pre-order in China, with open sales kicking off on March 19, 2026. JBL hasn’t announced a global release date yet, but it’s expected in the coming weeks.

The Go 5 is more than just a color and battery refresh. The USB-C DAC turns a pocket-sized speaker into a mini sound card. At $58, it’s an interesting option as long as the global price stays put. Our testing will tell.

What’s your take — does a $58 speaker really need a built-in DAC, or is it just a marketing gimmick? Drop a note in the comments, I’d love to chat about it.

Source: Gizmochina