Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #12 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $114.95; the JBL Charge 5 ranks #26 and costs $134.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Charge 5 gets right: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. The tradeoff: Not stereo. Warm sound.
What the JBL Flip 6 offers: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the Flip 5. Set against that: Not stereo. Some slight upper mids emphasis.
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge 5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 5 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 6.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 | JBL Flip 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $134.95 | $114.95 |
| Ranked | #26 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #12 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (3 band) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms | 116ms |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 98dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g | 1.2 lbs / 544 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 6.9" x 2.7" x 2.8" (176 x 68 x 72 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Output Power | 40W | 30W |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 5: $134.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
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.
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.
Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
Check current price at Amazon ($134.95) →Check current price at Bhphotovideo →Search eBay for JBL Charge 5 →
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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JBL Flip 6: $114.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the Flip 5.
Cons: Not stereo. Some slight upper mids emphasis. The TL version (made in Vietnam) tweeter can sound somewhat scratchy and doesn’t sound as good as the GG version (made in China)
Full JBL Flip 6 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.7" x 2.8" (176 x 68 x 72 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 98dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 544 g |
Check current price at Amazon ($114.95) →Check current price at Bhphotovideo →Search eBay for JBL Flip 6 →
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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