Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. It ranks #42 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) at $199.95 and is still sold new; the JBL Flip 5 ranks #79 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Flip 5’s replacement, the JBL Flip 7, is rated 4.2/5 at $149.95.
The JBL Charge Essential 3 SE is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. A fully waterproof speaker with plenty of volume and bass, long battery life, a phone charging port, app EQ and Auracast pairing. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Flip 5. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip 5 lacks. The tradeoff: In side-by-side listening against the JBL Charge 6, its bass is weaker and less stable and distorts on bass-heavy tracks even with the bass turned down in the app, while a narrow boost in the upper mids makes it sound less natural.
The JBL Flip 5 is the lighter choice. A compact, light waterproof speaker with a carry strap and USB-C charging. At 1.2 lbs (540 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE at 2.1 lbs (960 g). The catch: Boosted upper bass.
Buy the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Flip 5 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 3 SE | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #42 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast) | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 52mm x 90mm racetrack woofer, 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| Amplifier Power | 40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter) | 20W RMS |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A) | USB-C |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (lanyard) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 59Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 200ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Charge Essential 3 SE: reviews by Mateusz Cholewa.
- JBL Flip 5: reviews by Alan Ross, DLX Willington and Techder Audios.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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