Short answer: the Harman Kardon Luna. It ranks #26 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $290.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Flip Essential ranks #90 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Flip Essential’s replacement, the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.6/5 at $113.82.
The Harman Kardon Luna is the better-sounding choice. The sound is fairly balanced apart from the boosted bass. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: Boosted bass, and less detailed than higher-ranked speakers.
The JBL Flip Essential is the lighter choice. A genuinely portable 1 lbs (471 g) speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. At 1 lbs (471 g) it weighs much less than the Harman Kardon Luna at 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Harman Kardon Luna lacks. Watch for: Bass is lighter than the JBL Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight.
Buy the Harman Kardon Luna. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Flip Essential is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Luna | JBL Flip Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $290.99 | $130 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #26 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.1” x 3.1” (210 x 78 x 80 mm) | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 48mm x 90mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 16W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Luna: $290.99 Amazon $290.99 eBay
Newer model: the Harman Kardon Luna 2, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5, released Mar 2026. It adds app control and adjustable EQ. See every Harman Kardon Luna generation.
Pros: Harman Kardon Luna uses 48mm x 90mm woofer, 20mm tweeter. Its 1.13 kg, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. The sound is fairly balanced apart from the boosted bass. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 57Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Boosted bass, and less detailed than higher-ranked speakers.
Full Harman Kardon Luna review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 57Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.1” x 3.1” (210 x 78 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 48mm x 90mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon Luna - sound demo More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Onyx Studio 9 or Go Play 3? Or even the HK Luna?? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beats Pill vs Harman Luna vs Bose Flex vs Soundcore Motion Plus
- Mateusz Cholewa: Harman Kardon Luna 2 UNBOXING vs HK Luna Short Test More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Storytripper HD: Harman Kardon Luna vs Luna 2 More from storytripperhd →
- Storytripper HD: Klipsch Nashville vs Harman Kardon Luna vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Storytripper HD: Huawei Sound Joy 2 vs Tribit XSound Plus 2 vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Harman Kardon Luna 2
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- Harman Kardon Luna vs Bogasing M4
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Harman Kardon Luna vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- Harman Kardon Luna vs JBL Charge 5
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Harman Kardon Luna vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- See all 136 comparisons
JBL Flip Essential: $130 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5, released Apr 2026. See every JBL Flip Essential generation.
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 JBL 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 →
| Released | Nov 2019 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
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