Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #13 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5) at $114.95 and is still sold new; the JBL Flip 3 ranks #109 (rated 3.0/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Flip 3’s replacement, the JBL Flip 7, is rated 4.2/5 at $149.95.
The case for the JBL Flip 3: A discontinued compact splashproof speaker with a rated 10 hour battery and a speakerphone. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Flip 6 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Flip 6. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so the rating is estimated from head-to-head listening comparisons.
The JBL Flip 6 is the better-sounding, tougher pick. A small, rugged speaker with very neutral sound for its size, an excellent choice for most people. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the JBL Flip 3. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip 3 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Flip 3 lacks. The catch: Some slight upper mids emphasis.
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Flip 3 is no longer sold new.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 3 | JBL Flip 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $50 Discontinued | $114.95 |
| Ranked | #109 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #13 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 band) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers + passive radiator | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | 30W |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Party Mode | Yes (JBL Connect) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Frequency Response | 85Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Weight | 1 lbs (450 g) | 1.2 lbs (544 g) |
| Dimensions | 2.5” x 6.7” x 2.5” (64 x 169 x 64 mm) | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 116ms |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Strap | - | Yes (built-in loop) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Flip 3: reviews by Alan Ross.
- JBL Flip 6: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Oluv and Alan Ross.
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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