Short answer: the JBL Flip 5 ranks #65 of 140 medium speakers by sound quality at $79.99; the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 ranks #139 at $79.99. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
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. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 at the same price, so there is no real case for the other one.
The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 140 medium speakers; there are better options higher up.
If battery life is a priority, the Altec Lansing 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 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 Discontinued | $79.99 |
| Ranked | #65 of 140 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #139 of 140 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs JBL Flip 4
- Tribit Stormbox Pro vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Flip 4 vs LG Xboom Grab
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Flip 5
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Flip 5
Prices on this page were last checked September 1, 2026 at 2:15 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip 5: $79.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 540 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Techder Audios: #JBL Flip 5 VS #JBL Flip Essential “IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON!?” More from techderaudios →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3: $79.99 Amazon eBay
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. True wireless pairing lets you link two units.
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 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg |
- 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❓ More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 3
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs Beats Pill 2024
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 4
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Flip 7
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 6