Short answer: the Bose Soundlink Revolve for better sound quality, the JBL Flip 5 for the lower price. The Bose Soundlink Revolve ranks #48 of 136 medium speakers at $220. The JBL Flip 5 ranks #62 at $89.95, $130.05 cheaper.
What the Bose Soundlink Revolve gets right: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers. The tradeoff: Not stereo. Strange sizzling treble, peaks and dips.
What the JBL Flip 5 offers: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Set against that: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass.
One note: the Bose Soundlink Revolve is discontinued, but it still ranks #48 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 Revolve if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Flip 5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Flip 5 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose Soundlink Revolve at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Revolve | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $220.00 Discontinued | $89.95 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #48 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #62 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | 59Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | - |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 660 g | 1.2 lbs / 540 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 3.2" x 6" x 3.2" (82 x 152 x 82 mm) | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.9" (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| App | Bose Connect | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Drivers | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 200ms |
| Max Volume | - | 92dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 20W RMS |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs JBL Flip 4
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
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- Bose Soundlink Flex vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Revolve: $220.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers.
Cons: Not stereo. Strange sizzling treble, peaks and dips. Overly boosted boomy bass at 75hz. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Revolve review and specifications →
| App | Bose Connect |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.2" x 6" x 3.2" (82 x 152 x 82 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 660 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org) More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Reddit Search for Bose Soundlink Revolve Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore Glow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Pulse 5
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Mini 2
- See all 21 comparisons
JBL Flip 5: $89.95 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated.
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 →
| Aux Input | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 540 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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 🤓
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons