Compare JBL Go 5 vs Edifier ES60

The box omits a USB-C cable or charger, and this is one of the most repeated customer complaints. Several buyers still like the speaker but lower their rating or question the value because basic charging accessories are absent.

The included USB-C cable is appreciated, with one reviewer specifically calling it sturdy and high quality.

Support for SBC, AAC, and LC3 is viewed as modern and useful, especially for efficiency and stability. Reviewers do not present it as audiophile-grade, but it is strong for the category.

Codec support is a recurring limitation: the ES60 is criticized for SBC-only Bluetooth with no AAC, LDAC, or aptX options.

Pairing is generally fast and easy across phones, laptops, and Android Fast Pair. The basic wireless experience is polished and accessible.

Standard Bluetooth pairing was described as straightforward, though without the faster platform-specific pairing conveniences some users may expect.

The Go 5 has no built-in speakerphone function, which some reviewers list as a clear drawback. It cannot handle calls without a separate microphone accessory.

Hands-free calls are generally usable and sometimes very clear, but other tests found the mic muffled. One owner also notes that microphone use is unavailable during USB-C audio playback.

The seven-band EQ is one of the most useful app features and can meaningfully improve bass, vocals, or room tuning. One customer calls it gimmicky, and it becomes unavailable when two speakers are stereo-paired.

EQ control is one of the most repeated complaints. The four presets can be useful, but many reviewers say they change too little and strongly miss a true manual or custom EQ.

The edge LEDs can serve as status cues and add personality, but color choice is fixed to the speaker finish. Dark-room users object to flashes that cannot be completely suppressed.

The underside LED lighting is widely liked for adding soft ambience without overwhelming the retro design, and its customization is a frequent plus.

A single Go 5 remains a focused mono speaker with limited width. Two units paired through AirTouch create a much wider, believable left-right image and noticeably clearer presentation.

Imaging is mixed: some reviewers criticize weak vocal and instrument separation, while another heard a noticeably wider soundstage from the front/rear tweeter layout.

One customer reports that USB-C charging is quick. The broader complaint is not the charging method itself, but that no cable is included.

USB-C charging is normally convenient and quick, but one customer reported a frustrating failure to resume charging automatically after the battery reached full.

The speaker lacks a built-in microphone, so it cannot natively handle calls. Reviewers treat this as a minor-to-moderate omission rather than a deal breaker.

Microphone quality is serviceable rather than standout. Voices remain understandable, but reviewers describe the mic as somewhat muffled and less clear than hoped.

Lighting is the most polarizing feature: many users find it tasteful, fun, or useful at night, while others call it gimmicky, distracting, or impossible to fully disable. Limited color customization is a common complaint.

Ambient lighting is usually praised as tasteful, cozy, and well matched to the design, though one reviewer wanted more color options.

A single Go 5 is well suited to desks, kitchens, bathrooms, hotel rooms, and other modest spaces. Unavoidable light flashes can make it less appealing for dark bedrooms or movie watching.

The ES60 is particularly well suited to desks, bedrooms, nightstands, bookshelves, and other small-to-medium spaces because it produces far more volume than its footprint suggests.

The integrated loop is handy for bags, bikes, and one-finger carrying. Several reviewers wish it were more elastic or included a carabiner for easier attachment.

The included carrying strap or lanyard is generally liked as a practical, premium-feeling portability extra.

The Go 5 is a directional mono speaker rather than a true 360-degree design. It is adequate for personal listening, but omnidirectional rivals may serve groups better.

The front-and-rear driver layout gives the ES60 convincing room coverage and fairly consistent sound from multiple angles. Placement still matters if you want the strongest frontal presentation.

Portability is one of the strongest points: the Go 5 fits in pockets, bags, and backpacks and is easy to carry all day. A few Go 4 comparisons note that it is slightly heavier or bulkier.

At roughly a kilogram, the ES60 has noticeable heft but remains portable for most reviewers. It fits in backpacks and is easy to move around, though one customer wished for a smaller form.

Reviewers hear clean mids, crisp highs, defined instruments, and musical details that are easy to miss on lesser mini speakers. Fine separation is still constrained by the single small driver.

Detail is mixed by source. Some listeners praise excellent clarity and refinement, while more critical reviewers say the ES60 misses the nuance available from similarly priced rivals.

The speaker works especially well for desks, kitchens, showers, travel, commuting, work, biking, and casual outdoor use. Its small size and simple controls make it easy to use without planning.

Most reviewers find the ES60 easy to fit into desks, kitchens, travel, and general home use. A charging-resume issue and some PC/size quirks are notable exceptions.

Vocals, podcasts, and spoken content come through cleanly and prominently. Reviewers especially praise clear mids and crisp speech from such a small enclosure.

Vocals are often clear and forward enough to follow easily, but some tracks expose reduced accuracy or separation compared with the strongest competitors.

The physical playback, volume, Bluetooth, and Auracast controls are straightforward and dependable. Familiar JBL layouts help returning users operate it immediately.

Physical controls are usually simple, tactile, and easy to use. The main weakness is that volume-button behavior can be inconvenient when the speaker is connected to a PC over USB.

Reviewers value the upgraded dust protection for beaches, hiking, and outdoor travel. IP68 coverage is repeatedly treated as a meaningful durability improvement.

The IP66 dust protection is viewed positively for portable use, even if it is not the highest ruggedness rating in the category.

IP68 protection is a major strength, with reviewers confidently using the speaker near pools, in showers, in rain, and after submersion. Multiple hands-on accounts describe water exposure without damage.

IP66 is considered useful for rain, splashes, poolside use, and outdoor listening. Multiple reviewers note that rivals with IP67 or IP68 ratings offer stronger protection against submersion.

Most experts consider the launch price affordable for the sound, durability, and feature set. A few reviewers think roughly $55 is high for such a small speaker, especially without a cable.

Value is highly price-sensitive. Some reviewers call the ES60 excellent for the money, while others find the regular price steep because rivals offer longer battery life, stronger sound refinement, or tougher water protection.

A full charge generally takes about 2.5 to three hours. Some reviewers find that acceptable, while others consider it slow for a small battery.

Charging feedback is mostly positive, with reviewers saying USB-C charging is quick, though one wanted faster charging.

Most reviewers describe the JBL Portable app as stable, clean, responsive, and useful for EQ, lights, updates, and grouping. One customer experienced failed connections, lengthy troubleshooting, and a highly frustrating setup.

The ConneX app is usually described as easy or useful, but experiences vary: one firmware update was very slow, one source flagged regional availability, and a customer called the app limited.

Bluetooth setup is usually quick and intuitive, with Fast Pair and AirTouch reducing friction further. One customer had a severe app-connection problem that required hours of troubleshooting.

Initial Bluetooth setup was extremely quick in one hands-on test, connecting successfully in under ten seconds on the first try.

AirTouch and Auracast pairing are usually fast, synchronized, and reliable. One customer reports more difficult cross-generation pairing and repeated Bluetooth loss with older Go 4 units.

An owner using two ES60s reported being thrilled with the stereo result, providing a strong real-world endorsement of paired operation.

Bass is punchy, clean, and fuller than expected for the size, especially after EQ adjustment. Deep sub-bass and room-shaking impact are absent, and Playtime Boost weakens the low end substantially.

Bass is one of the ES60’s clearest strengths, repeatedly described as punchy, warm, powerful, and impressive for the size. A few listeners wanted deeper extension or noted thinning at very high volume.

The tuning is generally warm, clear, and mid-forward, with clean highs and enjoyable bass for the size. Deep lows remain limited, and Playtime Boost can make the balance thin.

Tuning draws mixed reactions: many hear a warm, balanced sound with clear mids and punchy bass, while others find the treble too aggressive, mids recessed, or the default sound over-bassy.

The dense build survives rough handling, dirt, concrete, and several real-world drops in the supplied reviews. It is consistently described as rugged, solid, and easy to carry without babying.

The enclosure is generally viewed as sturdy and rugged, with reviewers expecting it to handle normal portable knocks and occasional drops.

Support for 24-bit/48kHz lossless playback over USB-C is a standout capability at this size and price. Reviewers hear modest improvements in clarity and detail when using wired playback.

USB-C playback up to 48kHz was praised for sounding cleaner and sharper from a laptop.

Typical expectations are about eight hours, or up to ten with Playtime Boost, and many users find that adequate. Real-world reports range from roughly four to nine hours, while the boost mode noticeably reduces bass and sound quality.

Battery opinions are sharply split. Several reviewers found roughly nine hours adequate or even good, while others called it underwhelming, terrible, or a major weakness—especially at higher volume.

Most testing reports seamless pairing, no dropouts, and stable playback through walls. A minority report problems when mixing the Go 5 with older JBL speakers.

Bluetooth performance is consistently positive where tested, with fast pairing, seamless connections, and no reported dropouts in those use cases.

The compact fabric-wrapped design feels premium, colorful, and rugged, with many buyers praising its looks. The fixed-color lighting and slightly larger Go 4 footprint divide opinion.

Design is the strongest point of agreement: reviewers repeatedly praise the retro styling, faux leather, metal grille, gold accents, and premium feel. The ES60 is often treated as a speaker that doubles as a décor piece.

At low and moderate volume, the speaker remains clear and works very well for background music, podcasts, and close listening. Several users specifically praise bass and clarity at quieter levels.

The speaker also works well at modest levels, with quarter-volume listening repeatedly described as comfortable and suitable for personal spaces.

The Go 5 sounds punchy and energetic at sensible levels and stays more composed than the Go 4 when pushed. Its tiny driver still limits large-scale dynamics and deep impact.

One reviewer singled out the ES60’s dynamism as especially impressive, helping the compact speaker sound larger and more energetic than expected.

One reviewer reports no noticeable delay when watching video from a phone. Broader TV-specific testing is limited.

Movies and video playback were reported to stay in sync without distracting delay. The latency problem appears mainly in fast-paced gaming rather than normal video watching.

The overall consensus is that the Go 5 delivers excellent sound, ruggedness, and connectivity for the money. Value weakens for existing Go 4 owners, buyers who need longer battery life, or those frustrated by missing accessories.

Several reviewers and customers see strong value when focusing on the big sound, build, and design, especially at lower prices. Full-price value is less universally convincing.

The Go 5 plays surprisingly loud for its palm-sized body and works well for desks, showers, job sites, and small gatherings. It still cannot replace a larger room-filling speaker, and some reviewers hear strain near maximum output.

The ES60 plays unexpectedly loud for its size and can fill bedrooms, living rooms, garages, and even larger social spaces. Wired USB-C playback can be noticeably quieter for at least one owner.

The Go 5 sounds composed, full, and musically coherent for its size. Its tuning favors an engaging overall presentation over analytical precision.

On dense rock material, the ES60 stayed controlled enough to deliver a well-rounded listening experience rather than becoming overwhelmed.

Multipoint support makes switching between a phone and laptop straightforward and lets two people share playback control.

Multipoint worked smoothly in hands-on testing, including seamless switching between two connected devices after playback was paused.

Several reviewers find the Go 5 cleaner than expected when pushed, with little obvious distortion. Others hear harsh mids, compression, or mild bass distortion at the highest settings.

High-volume behavior depends on the listener and material. Some found no noticeable distortion or heard the speaker stay composed, while others reported compression, harsh treble, or thinner bass near the top of the range.

The dominant view is that the Go 5 sounds exceptionally good for a palm-sized speaker, with clear mids, crisp highs, and lively tuning. It remains best for casual listening rather than critical or large-room playback.

Music playback is generally enjoyable, with strong bass, good scale, and engaging dynamics. The main reservation is that more critical listeners hear less nuance and refinement than top rivals.

Most buyers are highly enthusiastic about the compact sound, portability, and ruggedness. A smaller group is strongly dissatisfied because of lighting behavior, app setup, or missing accessories.

Most reviewers like or recommend the ES60, especially for its style and energetic sound. The more cautious verdicts center on battery life, treble balance, EQ limits, and full-price competition.

AirTouch is a standout feature, making two-speaker stereo pairing almost instant, while Auracast supports larger JBL groups. True stereo requires two Go 5 units, and older PartyBoost products are not fully compatible.

Stereo pairing is appealing and, for one owner using two ES60s, genuinely satisfying enough to earn an enthusiastic recommendation.

USB-C audio provides clearer lossless wired playback from compatible devices, an uncommon bonus in such a small budget speaker. Activating it requires holding the play button while connecting the cable, so the process is easy to miss.

USB-C audio is a widely appreciated extra, often praised for stable, cleaner playback and desktop flexibility. One customer, however, found USB-C output much quieter than Bluetooth.

The raised physical controls are simple, familiar, and quick to respond. Reviewers report near-instant reactions from both the buttons and companion app.

Top-panel controls earned strong praise for quick response, easy operation, and satisfying feedback.

AirPlay is absent, but one reviewer said that omission was not a dealbreaker given the speaker’s other connection options.

Auracast can synchronize the Go 5 with several current JBL models, including the Go 4. AirTouch stereo requires two Go 5 units, and older PartyBoost speakers are excluded.

Range testing is strong, including stable playback through walls, closed doors, and multiple floors. The connection generally holds farther than reviewers expected from a speaker this small.

One customer specifically misses Chromecast and considers its absence a meaningful limitation. No reviewer reports native Chromecast support.

Playtime Boost can extend runtime by roughly two hours, but it does so by reducing bass and flattening the sound. Reviewers generally treat it as an emergency setting rather than the preferred listening mode.

Fast-paced gaming is a clear weak spot, with noticeable audio delay reported in PUBG-style play even though movies and ordinary video stay acceptably synchronized.

Google Fast Pair makes Android setup quick and nearly effortless.

Build quality is consistently strong, with reviewers describing the ES60 as solid, premium, well made, and better finished than its price or size might suggest.

Overall sound earns broad praise for scale, clarity, warmth, and bass impact from a compact enclosure. Critical voices still point to treble harshness, weaker vocal nuance, and limited refinement versus leading rivals.

Presentation is consistently positive, with neat, well-organized packaging that reinforces the premium impression before the speaker is even used.

One reviewer specifically disliked that no wall charger is supplied in the box, leaving charging speed dependent on the adapter already available.

A customer reported a serious charging-resume problem: after reaching full charge, the speaker would not automatically begin charging again without reconnecting the cable.

Some reviewers praise the app for working without forced registration. One customer reports mandatory account setup and data sharing, creating a sharply conflicting privacy experience.

AirTouch, Auracast, app-based EQ, lighting control, firmware updates, and USB-C audio make the Go 5 unusually sophisticated for its size. The feature set is a major reason it feels more mature than a basic budget speaker.

The edge lights provide helpful cues for volume, power, pairing, battery, and Auracast. The same persistent status flashes can be annoying in dark rooms.

Recycled fabric, plastic, magnet materials, and simpler cardboard packaging receive positive attention. Reviewers see these changes as meaningful in a high-volume product line.