Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) for better sound quality, the JBL Flip 5 for the lower price. The Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) ranks #51 of 150 medium speakers, rated 3.6/5, at $194. The JBL Flip 5 ranks #70, rated 3.3/5, at $64.97, $129.03 cheaper.
The case for the Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II): RTINGS measured a fairly neutral sound with a balanced midrange, so vocals and lead instruments come through clearly, and excellent directivity from the 360° design for an open, even sound around the room. The tradeoff: RTINGS found it lacks low bass, so there’s little deep thump or rumble.
Why pick the JBL Flip 5: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. The catch: Not stereo.
Worth knowing: the JBL Flip 5 is discontinued, though it still ranks #70 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, so a used unit beats most of what is still sold new.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the JBL Flip 5 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $194.00 | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #51 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #70 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Bose Connect | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP55 | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 59Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 200ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
| Drivers | - | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | - | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W RMS |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| EQ | - | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Strap | - | Yes (lanyard) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II):
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II)
- JBL Charge 6 vs Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II)
- JBL Flip 6 vs Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II)
- JBL Flip 7 vs Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II)
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II)
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II): $194.00 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Bose Soundlink Revolve (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5).
Pros: RTINGS measured a fairly neutral sound with a balanced midrange, so vocals and lead instruments come through clearly, and excellent directivity from the 360° design for an open, even sound around the room. In a side by side test against the Revolve+ II and B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen, several listeners preferred its clearer, less bass heavy tuning to the Revolve+ II. Up to 13 hours of battery, IP55 dust and water resistance, a built-in microphone for calls and voice assistants, and multi-connect for two devices at once.
Cons: RTINGS found it lacks low bass, so there’s little deep thump or rumble. It doesn’t get loud either: DXOMARK measured only about 73 to 74 dBA at maximum volume, against 85 to 89 dBA for speakers like the Sony SRS-XB43 in the same test, and bass compresses and pumps as you turn it up. There is no EQ in the Bose Connect app, a single unit plays mono, and it still charges over micro USB.
Full Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) review and specifications →
| App | Bose Connect |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP55 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- RTINGS: Bose SoundLink Revolve II Review More from Rtings.com →
- DXOMARK: Bose SoundLink Revolve II Speaker review
- SoundGuys: Bose SoundLink Revolve II review More from Soundguys →
- techkiste.net: B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) vs Bose Revolve 2 vs Bose Revolve+ 2 sound-comparison
- Danny Pops: BEST Bose Speaker? Bose is getting lazy. More from DannyPops →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) vs Sonos Play
- Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) vs JBL Pulse 5
- Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) vs JBL Charge Essential 3 SE
- Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- See all 31 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