Short answer: the JBL Charge 5 Wifi. It ranks #29 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $139.95 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.
The JBL Charge 5 Wifi is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version. 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 Wifi at 2.2 lbs (1 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Charge 5 Wifi lacks. It links with other speakers (Connect+ up to 100 speakers), which the JBL Charge 5 Wifi cannot. Watch for: Battery failures are common.
Buy the JBL Charge 5 Wifi. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Flip 4 is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 Wifi | JBL Flip 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.95 | $70 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #29 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #83 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) | 1.1 lbs (510 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 97 x 94 mm) | 6.9” x 2.8” x 2.6” (175 x 70 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music | - |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 16W RMS |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (Manufacturer specified) | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (lanyard) |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 300ms |
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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
JBL Charge 5 Wifi: $139.95 Amazon $139.95 eBay
Same family: the JBL Charge 5 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 4/5). See every JBL Charge generation.
Pros: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive. No party mode on the wifi version
Full JBL Charge 5 Wifi review and specifications →
| Released | May 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 97 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Bogasing M4
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs JBL Charge 5
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Bogasing G4
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Harman Kardon Luna
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Harman Kardon Luna 2
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Cleer Audio Scene
- JBL Charge 5 Wifi vs Tribit Maxsound Plus
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JBL Flip 4: $70 Discontinued Amazon $70 eBay
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 →
| Released | Feb 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.8” x 2.6” (175 x 70 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (510 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons