Short answer: the JBL Flip 5 for better sound quality, the JBL Charge 3 for the lower price. The JBL Flip 5 ranks #62 of 135 medium speakers at $89.95. The JBL Charge 3 ranks #67 at $80, $9.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Flip 5 offers: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Watch for: Not stereo.
What the JBL Charge 3 offers: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4.
Buy the JBL Flip 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Charge 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 3 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 5 | JBL Charge 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.95 Discontinued | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #62 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms | - |
| Max Volume | 92dB | 100dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 540 g | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.9" (181 x 69 x 74 mm) | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.5" (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 20W RMS | 20W RMS |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| App | - | Yes (JBL Connect) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Beats Pill 2024 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Beats Pill 2024 vs Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3
- JBL Flip 4 vs LG Xboom Grab
- JBL Flip 5 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- JBL Charge 3 vs LG Xboom Grab
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
JBL Charge 3: $80 Discontinued
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank for USB devices. ~20 hour battery life. IPX7 rated; built-in noise/echo-cancelling speakerphone.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 3 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.5" (213 x 88 x 88 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 and Charge 3 - best JBL charge 5 review 2021?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 4 and JBL Charge 3 - small one or a large one? 🤷♂️
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3?
- EnforcerMan: JBL CHARGE 3 VS TREBLAB HD77 - FULL REVIEW
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons