Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #12 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $114.95; the JBL Charge 5 Wifi ranks #25 and costs $250, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the JBL Charge 5 Wifi: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version. The catch: Not stereo. Warm sound.
On the JBL Flip 6 side: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the Flip 5. Watch for: Not stereo. Some slight upper mids emphasis.
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge 5 Wifi and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 5 Wifi is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 6.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 5 Wifi | JBL Flip 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 | $114.95 |
| Ranked | #25 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) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1000 g | 1.2 lbs / 544 g |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 97 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 |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music | - |
| Output Power | 40W | 30W |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) | No |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 98dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 116ms |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 5 Wifi: $250 Amazon
Pros: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1000 g |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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