Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential for a wired aux input, the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 for build quality. The Flip Essential offers aux input for wired sources, but it has less bass than a Flip 5. The Mini 2 has a compact aluminum build that feels sturdy and dense, though it has boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Earfun Uboom L instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Flip Essential at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini 2 | JBL Flip Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $184.00 Discontinued | $130 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #71 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #87 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm) | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector | Micro USB |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 16W RMS |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Bose Soundlink Mini 2:
- Earfun Uboom L vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Minirig 4 vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini 2: $184.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. ~10 hour battery life; can pair to two devices at once and remembers up to 8. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass is 2db less boosted than the Mini. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2” x 2.3” (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 33mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Soundcore 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Turtlebox Ranger
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Bose Portable Smart Speaker
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs Beats Pill 2024
- See all 95 comparisons
JBL Flip Essential: $130 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip Essential 2, ranked higher, rated 3.3/5.
Pros: A genuinely portable 471g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. It is a simple, no-app option for wired sources, travel and casual listening where its cylindrical shape and modest size are a genuine advantage.
Cons: Bass is lighter than the Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight. Battery life is only a claimed 10 hours, there is no speakerphone, EQ or party mode, and its older Bluetooth 4.1 platform and discontinued status make it a basic used-market choice.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Flip Essential vs Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs Sony XB23
- JBL Flip Essential vs Teufel Rockster Go 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Flip Essential vs Sonos Roam 2
- See all 101 comparisons