JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Flip 4

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Charge 5. It ranks #30 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $114.95 and is still sold new; the JBL Flip 4 ranks #83 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Flip 4’s replacement, the JBL Flip 7, is rated 4.2/5 at $89.95.

JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Flip 4

The JBL Charge 5 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 10dB, against 66Hz for the JBL Flip 4. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Flip 4. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip 4 lacks. The catch: Shouty upper mids.

The JBL Flip 4 is the lighter pick. At 1.1 lbs (510 g), JBL Flip 4 combines 2x 40mm fullrange with Bluetooth and aux. At 1.1 lbs (510 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge 5 at 2.1 lbs (960 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Charge 5. Watch for: Battery failures are common.

Buy the JBL Charge 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Flip 4 is discontinued, so it is only available used.

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Check JBL Charge 5 price at Woot ($114.95) →Check JBL Flip 4 price at Amazon ($70) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Charge 5 JBL Flip 4
Price$114.95$70 Discontinued
Ranked#30 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#83 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz66Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (3 band)No
Bluetooth Latency125ms300ms
Maximum SPL99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)92dB (Manufacturer specified)
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)-
StereoNoYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesNo
Weight2.1 lbs (960 g)1.1 lbs (510 g)
Aux InputNoYes
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBCSBC
Bluetooth Version5.14.2
Dimensions8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)6.9” x 2.8” x 2.6” (175 x 70 x 65 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter2x 40mm fullrange
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67IPX7
Power InputUSB-CMicro USB
Amplifier Power40W16W RMS
Built-in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)-
Digital Aux InputNoNo
StrapNoYes (lanyard)
Check JBL Charge 5 price at Woot ($114.95) →Check JBL Flip 4 price at Amazon ($70) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Charge 5:

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.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Charge 5: $114.95 Amazon $139.95 Woot $114.95 Lowest eBay

JBL Charge 5 ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025. It adds USB audio input, but drops the built-in mic. Battery life goes from 20 to 24 hours. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.

Older models: the JBL Charge 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5), the JBL Charge 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge generation.

Same family: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi (larger model, ranked higher, rated 4/5).

Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. ~20 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.

Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →

ReleasedMar 2021 (5 years ago)
Amplifier Power40W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)53Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC
Bluetooth Latency125ms
Bluetooth Version5.1
Built-in MicrophoneYes (dual microphones)
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm)
Drivers53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter
EQYes (3 band)
Frequency Response60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapNo
TWSYes
Weight2.1 lbs (960 g)
Check current price at Woot ($114.95) →Check current price at Amazon ($139.95) →Search eBay for JBL Charge 5 →

JBL Flip 4: $70 Discontinued Amazon $70 eBay

JBL Flip 4 ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025. See every JBL Flip generation.

Pros: At 510 g, JBL Flip 4 combines 2x 40mm fullrange with Bluetooth and aux. Claimed 12 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx7 protection, up to 92db and single-box playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 66Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Bass is limited by its 66Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.

Full JBL Flip 4 review and specifications →

ReleasedFeb 2017 (9 years ago)
Amplifier Power16W RMS
AppYes
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)66Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency300ms
Bluetooth Version4.2
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions6.9” x 2.8” x 2.6” (175 x 70 x 65 mm)
Drivers2x 40mm fullrange
EQNo
Frequency Response70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIPX7
Maximum SPL92dB (Manufacturer specified)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers)
Power InputMicro USB
StereoYes
StrapYes (lanyard)
TWSNo
Weight1.1 lbs (510 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($70) →Search eBay for JBL Flip 4 →