Short answer: the JBL Charge 4. It ranks #50 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $119.95; the JBL Flip Essential ranks #66 and costs $130, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Charge 4 gets right: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. The tradeoff: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver.
What the JBL Flip Essential offers: Aux input for wired sources. Set against that: Less bass than a Flip 5.
One note: the JBL Charge 4 is discontinued, but it still ranks #50 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the JBL Charge 4. 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 battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 4 is rated for 20 hours versus 10 hours for the JBL Flip Essential.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 4 | JBL Flip Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.95 Discontinued | $130 |
| Ranked | #50 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) | 54Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | - |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 30W RMS | 16W RMS |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 4: $119.95 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers.
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 4 Review
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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.
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