3 Bluetooth speakers to buy instead of the JBL Xtreme 5

The JBL Xtreme 5 is a genuinely good portable Bluetooth speaker. It’s loud, delivers enough bass to annoy the neighbors, and is rugged enough to handle just about any sunny beach day or rowdy backyard BBQ.

The problem is the $399 price tag. Whether you’re looking for a better premium speaker, better value, or something that simply isn’t a JBL product, these are the three Bluetooth speakers I’d consider before buying the Xtreme 5.

Sony ULT Field 5 ($329.99)

If you’re already considering spending nearly $400 on a Bluetooth speaker, I’d save a little money and grab the Sony ULT Field 5 instead. It costs less than the JBL Xtreme 5, offers a similar rugged design, and even includes a shoulder strap to make transporting the 3.3kg weight a little easier.

The ULT Field 5 gives you two dedicated ULT sound modes, allowing you to choose between different levels of bass response depending on what you’re listening to. If neither preset is quite right, Sony also includes a 10-band EQ through the Sound Connect app. Add in customizable LED lighting around the passive radiators, LDAC support, a 3.5mm AUX input, and a dual-purpose USB-C port that can both charge the speaker and top up your phone, and you end up with one of the most feature-packed speakers in its class.

The JBL Xtreme 5 is still a great speaker, but Sony gives you more features for less money. If you’re shopping in this price range, the ULT Field 5 is the first alternative I’d consider.

Soundcore Boom 2 ($129, often less)

If you’re looking for the best value in portable Bluetooth speakers, stop reading and buy the Soundcore Boom 2. At its full retail price of $129.99, it’s already a bargain. When it goes on sale for around $90, which happens fairly often, it becomes almost impossible to ignore.

In fact, you could buy two Boom 2 speakers, pair them in stereo, and still spend less than a single JBL Xtreme 5. Like the JBL, the Boom 2 uses a 2.1-channel speaker layout with dedicated left- and right-channel drivers, along with a separate woofer for the low end. It also offers customizable LED lighting, a surprisingly good companion app, and plenty of bass for backyard gatherings and casual outdoor use. Better yet, it’s significantly lighter than the Xtreme 5, making it easier to throw in a backpack and take on the go.

The JBL Xtreme 5 is undoubtedly a better-quality speaker, but it’s not three or four times better. The biggest compromise is durability. While the Boom 2 carries an IPX7 rating for water resistance, it lacks any official dust protection, making it a less ideal choice for beach trips and other sandy environments. Even so, if your goal is getting the most speaker for your money, the Soundcore Boom 2 is one of the easiest recommendations I’ve made in years.

Tribit StormBox Lava ($139.00)

The Tribit StormBox Lava doesn’t exactly hide its influences. Its design takes obvious cues from JBL’s Xtreme series, from the cylindrical shape to the shoulder strap design. The difference is that Tribit sells it for a fraction of the price.

Like the JBL Xtreme 5, the StormBox Lava is designed for outdoor listening. It offers an IP67 rating, a 3.5mm AUX input, USB charge-out, and enough output to keep a backyard gathering or beach day going strong. Tribit even includes two carrying options: a traditional shoulder strap and a shorter carry handle. It’s a small detail, but one that many JBL Xtreme fans have been asking for over the years. The only real compromise is that the courtesy charging port uses USB-A rather than USB-C, so topping up your phone won’t be particularly fast.

The JBL Xtreme 5 still feels and sounds like the more premium product, but the StormBox Lava gets surprisingly close in terms of bass. If you want the Xtreme experience without spending nearly $400, the StormBox Lava delivers much of what makes JBL’s speakers great for a fraction of the price.