Short answer: the Bogasing M5. It ranks #58 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $52.99; the JBL Flip 5 ranks #70, rated 3.3/5, and costs $64.97, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the Bogasing M5: Compact enough for a backpack side pocket at under 1.7 lb. Watch for: Front/rear driver configuration.
The case for the JBL Flip 5: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. The catch: Not stereo.
One note: the JBL Flip 5 is no longer sold new, but at #70 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering.
Buy the Bogasing M5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Flip 5 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bogasing M5 | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $52.99 | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #58 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #70 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 61Hz | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No (front/rear drivers) | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (757 g) | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 3” x 2.8” (160 x 76 x 71 mm) | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W RMS |
| Drivers | 30W system | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 200ms |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Strap | - | Yes (lanyard) |
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- JBL Charge 6 vs Bogasing M5
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bogasing M5: $52.99 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Bogasing M4 (ranked higher, rated 4/5).
Pros: Compact enough for a backpack side pocket at under 1.7 lb. Up to 30 hours of battery life. USB-C charging: no proprietary cable to lose. Measured bass extension of 61Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Front/rear driver configuration. Use bass mode for the flattest response. Sounds thin in the midrange. Hot treble and rolled off bass in default mode. Treble a bit rolled off in bass mode.
Full Bogasing M5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 61Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 3” x 2.8” (160 x 76 x 71 mm) |
| Drivers | 30W system |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (757 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Flip 5: $64.97 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass. Piercing sound when turned up. Peaky lower treble at higher volumes. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Techder Audios: #JBL Flip 5 VS #JBL Flip Essential "IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON!?" More from techderaudios →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Head-to-Head Comparisons