LG XBoom Go XG2T vs JBL Clip 5: which mini Bluetooth speaker will reign supreme?

LG XBoom Go XG2T vs JBL Clip 5: price & availability

Both of these small speakers launched in 2024 at similar price-points, with the JBL Clip 5 coming in at $79.95 / £59.99 / AU$89.95 and the LG XBoom Go XG2T at $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$89. Now, this isn’t ultra-cheap for speakers that are quite this miniature – but it’s not exactly super-expensive either, given that 2017’s Bose Soundlink Micro is still regularly priced at over $100 / £100.

Good news, though, you can regularly find both the Clip 5 and XG2T on sale for considerably less than their list prices. At the tail end of 2024, I spotted the Clip 5 going for less than $50 / £40 and the XG2T for below $35 / £40. The XG2T can also be purchased from retailers including Costco in a 2-pack bundle, so keep your eyes peeled for that if you want access to stereo sound.

LG XBoom Go XG2T vs JBL Clip 5: specs

LG XBoom Go XG2T vs JBL Clip 5: features

In terms of features, you’re not going to get a huge, industry-leading set of options from these speakers, but both still have a significant amount to play around with.

Luckily, both of these speakers allow you to adjust EQ via companion apps – something we always look for in our hunt for the best Bluetooth speakers. There’s a five band and six band custom EQ option on the Clip 5 and XG2T respectively – ideal for those with a specific sound in mind. But there are also a small handful of presets to choose from if you want to jump straight into the action. The JBL Clip 5 has four options: JBL Signature, Chill, Energetic, and Vocal – all pretty self-explanatory. Meanwhile, the XG2T has just two: Standard and Sound Boost (which ramps up low-end power and volume).

In all honesty, I’d prefer a few more EQ presets from both of these models – perhaps some more genre-specific options. Having said that, there are a bunch of competitors like the Sony SRS-XB100 and Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 that have no EQ adjustment whatsoever, so things could be a lot worse!

Moving on, let’s talk multi-speaker pairing. Both of these are able to link up to other models for stereo sound or just a standalone power boost. You can use either Dual Mode or Multi-mode with the XG2T. The first enables you to connect to one other XG2T or LG XBoom XO2T model for left/right channel stereo sound. The latter can be used to connect to multiple other speakers, simply for more volume. Meanwhile, the JBL Clip 5 harnesses Auracast, which lets you connect to a bunch of the manufacturer’s other models, like the JBL Go 4 and JBL Xtreme 4. Alternatively, you can pair two Clip 5 models for stereo sound – best of both worlds.

There are a few features exclusive to each speaker, however. The JBL has PlayTime Boost for a bit of extra juice in the battery department, whereas the LG alternative has speakerphone and voice assistant compatibility as well as Healing Therapy – a mode which plays a variety of calming sounds like ‘A Still Summer Night with Insect Sounds’ or ‘The Sleepy Sounds of the Deep Sea’. Don’t worry, you can set a sleep timer alongside Healing Therapy, just in case you drift off.

Another point of differentiation is battery life. The Clip 5 can typically live up to 12 hours – or an astonishing 15 hours with PlayTime Boost active. That’s a wonderful amount of playtime for a speaker so small. Meanwhile, the XG2T can muster 10 hours on a good day, which is a bit more middling. Unfortunately, I did find the XG2T’s battery drained pretty quickly with Sound Boost on, so there’s a clear victor in terms of battery performance.

And I'd say the JBL Clip 5 takes the edge overall on features. Sure, these two have a lot in common – a neat in-app experience, multi-speaker pairing and EQ options. But the Clip 5 feels a bit more hi-tech, thanks to the use of Auracast Bluetooth tech, a separate mode for prolonging playtime and a wider range of EQ presets. No Healing Therapy though. Make of that what you will.

LG XBoom Go XG2T vs JBL Clip 5: sound quality

Let’s drill down into the most important category, though – audio performance. Now, as you may expect, neither the JBL Clip 5 or LG XBoom Go XG2T plate up a stellar sonic experience, predominantly due to their limitations as such small speakers. Having said that, both put in a valiant effort in the audio department, with clear sound quality and impressive volume levels.

When it comes to the Clip 5, we found it punched well above its weight in the bass department, first of all, with impressively full-bodied, sometimes pumping low-end output – ideal if you’re in the party mood. For instance, when we tuned into Black Eye by Allie X, the track’s pounding bass bounced dynamically through the track with commendable depth and responsiveness. Low-frequency sounds remained clear and audible, even at lower volumes too, which isn’t always a given for small speakers like this.

Can the same be said of the XG2T? Well, not exactly. With ‘Boom’ in the name, you might expect a hard-hitting, bass-centric sound from this speaker, but it can’t quite live up to that. I compared the XG2T to the Clip 5 when listening to Black Eye and found that the LG speaker couldn’t quite manage the deep notes as adeptly as the JBL, even with Sound Boost activated. Bass was relatively clear and not totally missing, but it was a touch underwhelming compared to the Clip 5.

But let's turn the tables a bit. When listening to Black Eye, I actually found the XG2T had ever-so-slightly clearer vocal clarity and finesse in the mid-range than the Clip 5. And when playing Nothing Can Come Between Us by Sade, vocals were clear in the overall mix at around 50-60% volume without sounding distorted or drowned out by other mid-range or low-frequency sounds.

A common issue for both of these speakers is that they can start to struggle a bit at high volumes. With the Clip 5, we had a bit of treble trouble when listening above the 75% mark, experiencing a bit of harshness with high-pitched vocals and percussion. Similarly, things got a bit edgy when volume surpassed the same level on the XG2T. Songs could get swamped by an almost underwater effect, marked by muddied, tinny audio. So, even if both speakers can get loud for their size, don’t expect amazing quality at the top of their range.

Finally, we were surprised by the JBL Clip 5’s ability to exhibit ample servings of detail when replicating tracks. Instruments sound well separated in more complex mixes and sometimes even the more subtle artefacts can be heard, adding more color to the canvas. The XG2T, though clear sounding, didn’t offer a massively nuanced listen when I tested it out, even though it does support the slightly higher quality AAC codec. Having said that, when tuning in to Everyday by Jamiroquai on the XG2T, strings were well-balanced in the mix and hi-hats sounded sharp and responsive. So, even if some of the finer details remain under wraps, you’re still getting a pleasing overall listening experience.

Have you guessed which speaker came out on top for sound? Yep, it’s the JBL Clip 5. For its size, its talents in uncovering the finer details and delivering impactful bass really set it apart. Both have their flaws, of course, but ultimately the Clip 5 is still one of the best sounding small speakers out there right now.

LG XBoom Go XG2T vs JBL Clip 5: design

This is where things get spicy. Both the JBL Clip 5 and LG XBoom Go XG2T have excellent designs, combining portability, durability and style into two great all-round packages. But only one will emerge victorious…

One aspect that makes these two speakers stand out in a fairly convoluted market, is their attachment style. The XG2T has an ingenious lace attached, which can be taken off the speaker and wrapped around objects like poles and bike frames, or simply dangle from tree branches or a hook, for example. It’s adjustable, meaning you can get it to attach to pretty much anything – extremely practical. The Clip 5 instead opts for a carabiner clip, which is quick and easy to attach to a bag or belt strap. It’s a bit less fiddly than the XG2T’s lace, but less versatile.

Another area in which this pair excel, is protection against the elements. Like a lot of the best waterproof speakers, the JBL Clip 5 is IP67-rated, meaning it can survive being submerged in up to one metre of water, for up to 30 minutes and it's dustproof too. It’s safe to say this lil’ fella isn’t gonna break easily. LG likes to describe the XG2T’s durability as ‘military grade’, but the most important thing to know is that it also has the IP67 rating.

Both of these are very attractive, with rugged-looking speaker grilles and conveniently sized button controls dotted around the speakers’ bodies. They also have rubber feet, enabling you to use the speaker in a face-up configuration. It’s worth noting, though, that the XG2T opts for a volume wheel as opposed to traditional volume up/down buttons, which I personally love. Neither are able to reliably stand upright without some kind of support, though, which some may find slightly frustrating.

In terms of aesthetics, the XG2T has a more rough and ready look than the Clip 5, coming in a classy black and red colorway. Having said that, the Clip 5 carries a more playful vibe, especially due to the fact that it’s available in nine – yes, nine – different color variants. These include: Black; Black and Orange; Blue; Pink; Purple; Red; Sand; Squad (camo); and White. That optionality gives the Clip 5 a lot of plus points in my book.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this is one of the tightest categories overall. If you want some vibrant color options, the JBL Clip 5 is going to be your go-to – its clip design is pretty handy too. But for me, I’m going to give the edge to the LG XBoom Go XG2T. Its hardy looks, flexible lace, volume wheel and diminutive size all combine to make an elite-looking small speaker.

LG XBoom Go XG2T vs JBL Clip 5: value

These two speakers come in at a similar price-point, so it’s a close call in the value department as well. The JBL Clip 5 is typically priced at $79.95 / £59.99 / AU$89.95, while the LG XBoom Go XG2T is $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$89.

Of course, both of these are 2024-issued speakers, so as you’d expect, they’ve popped up on sale a couple of times already. I’ve seen the Clip 5 going for less than $50 / £40 and the XG2T for below $35 / £40 a couple of times. At this price, both are great options for those seeking out a small speaker.

For less than $50 / £40, you’re getting a ton of quality out of these two. In terms of cold, hard value for money, I’d say the Clip 5 is top-tier, however. Given its impressive sound quality, snazzy design and wide feature-set, you’re going to struggle to do better.

Sure, the XG2T is well worth considering too, but it doesn’t sound quite as good – that’s the main issue. Despite that, it does present a class-leading build, unique aesthetic and voice assistant compatibility – that’s undoubtedly impressive in its own right.

LG XBoom Go XG2T vs JBL Clip 5: verdict

And with that, this battle has come to its conclusion. There’s a lot to love about both the JBL Clip 5 and the LG XBoom Go XG2T. But if you only want to buy one, my recommendation goes to JBL on this occasion. The quality of a speaker, ultimately, is largely determined by its audio performance, so, the Clip 5’s superior bass and expression of sonic subtleties is the predominant reason it beats out the XG2T. If you like the more outdoorsy design of the XG2T, I’m sure you’ll have a blast with it. But for now, JBL remains king of the small speaker domain.

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