Short answer: the JBL Flip 7. It ranks #14 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $129.95; the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen ranks #33 and costs $129.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen offers: Pretty much identical sounding to the 1st gen. Set against that: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail.
The case for the JBL Flip 7: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size. The catch: A little bit of a bump at 4khz, not quite as neutral as the FLip 6.
Buy the JBL Flip 7. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen | JBL Flip 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $129.95 |
| Ranked | #33 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #14 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (7 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C (5V 7.5W-15W) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 586 g | 1.2 lbs / 560 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) | 7.2" x 2.7" x 2.8" (182.5 x 69.5 x 71.5 mm) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 45x80mm racetrack driver + 16mm tweeter |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 59Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 100dB |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Output Power | - | 35W total (25W main + 10W tweeter) |
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- JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- JBL Charge 6 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- JBL Flip 7 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Teufel Rockster XS vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen: $129.99 Amazon
Pros: Pretty much identical sounding to the 1st gen
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sounding with overly boosted bass which drowns out midrange detail. Self drains the battery about 10% a week.
Full Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.5" x 2" (201 x 90 x 52 mm) |
| Drivers | 60mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 586 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Flex More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen - sound demo
- Tô Thái Trí Hùng: Unbox & Sound Test - Bose Soundlink Flex 2
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen & Soundcore Motion 300 sound test
- Alan Ross: Hall of Fame classic vs latest Bose tech! More from alanrossreviews →
- CEONTHEMAKING: Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd Gen VS Marshall Emberton III - What’s NEW??
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Small speaker, mighty sound, The Flex gen 2 shatters physics!
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Teufel Rockster XS
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion 100
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs JBL Charge 5
- Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- See all 39 comparisons
JBL Flip 7: $129.95 Amazon
Pros: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size. Just slightly more treble than the Flip 6 which was already a great speaker. Slightly deeper bass than the Flip 6
Cons: A little bit of a bump at 4khz, not quite as neutral as the FLip 6. I believe this one is slightly worse than the Flip 6.
Full JBL Flip 7 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 7.2" x 2.7" x 2.8" (182.5 x 69.5 x 71.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 45x80mm racetrack driver + 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 35W total (25W main + 10W tweeter) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V 7.5W-15W) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 560 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 7 is screech-fest heaven! vs Flip 6!
- Chrispy Things [EDC]: JBL Flip 7: My thoughts & sound test VS the Flip 6!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Flip 7 Review - Is It Worth Upgrading Over The JBL Flip 6 Or Flip 5? More from GYMCADDY →
- Musou1: JBL flip 7 vs KEF muo vs Bose flex 2
- FishBee Product Reviews: LG XBOOM Grab (2025) by Will.i.am - BETTER Than JBL Flip 7??
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 7 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons