Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Mini. It ranks #56 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $128.67; the JBL Flip Essential ranks #66 and costs $130, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Bose Soundlink Mini side: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Watch for: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers.
What the JBL Flip Essential gets right: Aux input for wired sources. The tradeoff: Less bass than a Flip 5.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Mini is discontinued, but it still ranks #56 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Mini. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Flip Essential and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Flip Essential at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Mini at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Mini | JBL Flip Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $128.67 Discontinued | $130 |
| Ranked | #56 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #66 of 136 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 | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
| 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 | - |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | No |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.1 |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 16W RMS |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini 2 vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Flip Essential
- JBL Charge 4 vs Bose Soundlink Mini
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Mini: $128.67 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact aluminum build feels sturdy and dense. Comes with a charging cradle.
Cons: Boosted upper bass like most Bose speakers. Upper treble rolled off. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others. Failures of the mainboard are common. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Mini review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2" x 2.3" (180 x 51 x 58 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 50mm full-range driver with passive radiators |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary connector |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Xiaomi Mi Portable
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Sony XB33
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs Beats Pill 2024
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Mini vs JBL Flip 5
- See all 22 comparisons
JBL Flip Essential: $130
Pros: Aux input for wired sources. IPX7 rated. Genuinely portable at under a pound; a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5.
Cons: Less bass than a Flip 5.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Flip Essential vs Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Flip Essential vs Sony XB23
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 5
- JBL Flip Essential vs Beats Pill 2024
- See all 23 comparisons