JBL Pulse

895 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
sound (195)
usability (182)
design (87)
size (72)
price (70)

Negative

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 895 reviews of JBL Pulse. The average rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Comments about the size and design are on the whole positive. The price and usability also get good comments, whereas there are mixed views on the reliability and bass quality.

sound, usability, price, design, size

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the JBL Pulse is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 93/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 895 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Showing 1 - 631 of 704 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (179)

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for JBL Pulse

alaTest has collected and analyzed 621 user reviews of JBL Pulse from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the size and design. The price and sound also get good feedback. Many are less positive about the reliability. There are some mixed comments about the bass quality.

usability, sound, price, design, size

reliability

90% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Derek Malcolm (digitaltrends.com)

JBL Pulse 5 review: decent sound, trippy lava-lamp light show

The JBL Pulse 5 Bluetooth speaker isn't going to blow you away with its sound, but it might with its beautifully trippy lava-lamp lights and waterproof design.

Bright, vivid light features Dustproof, waterproof IP67 rating Clear, dynamic sound Feature-rich app Basic EQing in-app

A bit lacking in bass No AUX input Lacks physical controls

“The JBL Pulse 5 is a decent-sounding, waterproof, Bluetooth speaker that puts on an LED show to fit any mood”

Feb, 2023

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Expert review by : Tim Gideon (pcmag.com)

JBL Pulse 5 Review

Rich, bright audio signature ; Nice LED effects ; App features basic EQ ; Waterproof, dust-tight design

No physical playback or volume controls ; Exterior is prone to smudges and fingerprints ; Lacks speakerphone function and aux input

The JBL Pulse 5 Bluetooth speaker casts impressively vibrant light, but mono sound and a dearth of physical controls give similarly priced competitors an advantage.

Feb, 2023

Partner Source

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Expert review by : David Carnoy (cnet.com)

JBL Pulse: Wireless Bluetooth speaker with a built-in light show

The $199.99 Pulse is designed to be both heard and seen. That makes it a unique product in a crowded field of mobile speakers vying for your attention.

The ; is a compact wireless Bluetooth speaker that delivers good sound for its size and distinguishes itself with an integrated light show with preprogrammed and customizable themes. The built-in rechargeable battery offers 10 hours of battery for...

Can distort at higher volumes with rock tracks and bass-heavy material; no carrying case included.

It may not sound quite good as some $200 competitors, but the JBL Pulse's integrated light show adds a flashy new dimension to the listening experience that makes it a worthy contender in a crowded market.

Jan, 2014

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Expert review by : Will Greenwald (pcmag.com)

JBL Pulse

The JBL Pulse is a good-sounding, good-looking Bluetooth speaker that displays a customizable light show to go with your music.

Mesmerizing light show. Impressive volume. Good general sound quality.

Weak, shallow bass response.

Still, the JBL Pulse is the ultimate small-sized party speaker thanks to its unique light show. It's mesmerizing enough to make us accept its $200 price tag despite falling short of class-leading sound quality. It does sounds good, though, and the...

Jan, 2014

Partner Source

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Expert review by : David Carnoy (cnet.com)

JBL Pulse portable Bluetooth speaker review

The portable Bluetooth speaker market is very crowded these days, with a lot of products that don't sound all that different from one another. It's nice then to come across a product like JBL's Pulse, which attempts to shake things up by throwing a...

The JBL Pulse is a compact wireless Bluetooth speaker that delivers good sound for its size and distinguishes itself with an integrated light show with preprogrammed and customizable themes. The built-in rechargeable battery offers 10 hours of battery...

Can distort at higher volumes with rock tracks and bass-heavy material; no carrying case included.

Nov, 2013

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Expert review by : Alex Hernandez (techaeris.com)

JBL Pulse 5 review: The flashiest Bluetooth speaker you can buy

If you're looking to light up your music with a flashy Bluetooth speaker, then you can't go wrong with the JBL Pulse 5.

Still a nice looking design ; Still has that great looking light show ; Adding a carrying strap was a nice touch ; Easy to use ; Nice controls in the app for lighting ; Good battery life ; IP67 dust and waterproof

Much thicker this year and hard to hold, this is why they added the carrying strap. ; Clear design picks up a lot of fingerprints and smudges ; The sound is just okay and maybe not enough for this price point ; No physical controls, previous models all...

if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'techaeris_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',185,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-techaeris_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); The JBL Pulse 5 continues to live up to its name and...

Feb, 2023

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Expert review by : Michael Gowan (tomsguide.com)

JBL Pulse Bluetooth Speaker Review: See Your Music

Fun LED light show ; Loud speakers

No speakerphone ; Limited battery life

The JBL Pulse's LED lights are a treat for the eyes, but the sound is just average.

Apr, 2014

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Expert review by : YugaTech (yugatech.com)

JBL Pulse Wireless Bluetooth Speaker Review

The JBL Pulse is definitely one of the best portable speakers out there. It packs a great build, portable body, long battery life, good set of wireless functions, visually enticing customizable light themes, and very good sound quality. On the...

Apr, 2014

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Expert review by : thinkdigit.com (thinkdigit.com)

JBL Pulse Bluetooth speaker Review

This Bluetooth speaker stands out in a crowd quite effortlessly. The flashing lights are perhaps the biggest attraction. With an adequate sound quality to keep you interested, the Pulse could very well be the Bluetooth speaker of choice for the...

LED lights are the biggest attraction, Good sound for its size, Good battery life

Volume can be stretched only to a certain level

Apr, 2014

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Expert review by : Chip Chick (chipchick.com)

JBL Pulse Bluetooth Speaker: Review

The JBL Pulse will mesmerize you as it fills the room with its booming sound and bright colors. This is hands down the most fun we have had in a long time with a Bluetooth speaker. We were disappointed that there was no included carrying case; since...

Ingenious design that will intrigue everyone. Loud booming sound that fills the room. Very portable. Great app integration. The most fun you’ll ever have with a Bluetooth speaker.

No carrying case. Some songs might experience some very light distortion.

Jan, 2014

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