Short answer: the JBL Flip 5 for better sound quality, the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 for the lower price. The JBL Flip 5 ranks #62 of 135 medium speakers at $89.95. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 ranks #134 at $60, $29.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Flip 5 offers: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Watch for: Not stereo.
What the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 offers: Tank-like build quality - reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. Watch for: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews.
Buy the JBL Flip 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3. It ranks near the bottom of the 135 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 is rated for 30 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 5 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.95 Discontinued | $60 |
| Ranked | #62 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #134 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms | - |
| Max Volume | 92dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 540 g | 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange | 4.5" (114mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.9" (181 x 69 x 74 mm) | 8" x 3.8" x 4.2" (203.2 x 96.5 x 106.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 20W RMS | 80W |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | - | Yes |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Flip 4 vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Flip 4 vs LG Xboom Grab
- Beats Pill 2024 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Beats Pill 2024 vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3
- JBL Charge 3 vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip 5: $89.95 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated.
Cons: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass. Piercing sound when turned up. Peaky lower treble at higher volumes. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 5 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.9" (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 540 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Techder Audios: #JBL Flip 5 VS #JBL Flip Essential “IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON!?”
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3: $60 Amazon
Pros: Tank-like build quality - reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. IP67 rated; doubles as a power bank. Universal mounting clip for a bike, kayak, or backpack.
Cons: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews. Gets distorted with a lot of bass. The entire Altec Lansing Bluetooth speaker line likely also sounds similarly bad.
Full Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8" x 3.8" x 4.2" (203.2 x 96.5 x 106.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5" (114mm) woofer |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 🦨 (2022 Version) How Many Versions Have They Made❓ How Bad Is It❓
- Ivan T: Altec lancing lifejacket 3
- Altec lansing bass test: bass test altec lansing lifejacket 3 (mambo lambo crazy bass)
- Fewishaツ: Altec Lansing Life Jacket 3 Bass Test
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- Reddit Search for Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 3
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs Beats Pill 2024
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 4