Short answer: the JBL Flip 7, if you are buying new. The JBL Flip 5 ranks higher than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 (#77 vs #170 of 172 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Flip 7, is rated 4.2/5 at $89.95 and is still sold new.
The JBL Flip 5 is the better-sounding, lighter choice. Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. At 1.2 lbs (540 g) it weighs much less than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 at 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg). It has an adjustable EQ, which the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Boosted upper bass.
The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 is the longer-running choice. Tank-like build quality: reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Flip 5. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Flip 5 lacks. Watch for: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews.
Buy the JBL Flip 7, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Flip 5; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Tank-like build quality: reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 5 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.95 Discontinued | $72.76 |
| Ranked | #77 of 172 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #170 of 172 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 80W |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| App | Yes | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | Yes (mounting clip) |
| Power Bank | - | Yes |
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