Short answer: the Skullcandy Terrain XL, if you are buying new. The JBL Flip 5 ranks higher than it (#70 vs #140 of 150 medium speakers, 3.3/5 vs 2.1/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Skullcandy Terrain XL is still sold new at $79.99.
The case for the JBL Flip 5: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. The catch: Not stereo.
The case for the Skullcandy Terrain XL: The loudest and longest-running of the Terrain line at 95dB and 18 hours, and the only one with a built-in microphone. Watch for: Shares the Terrain line’s tuning: no bass, very rolled off treble, and distortion in the treble.
Buy the Skullcandy Terrain XL, since the JBL Flip 5 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
If battery life is a priority, the Skullcandy Terrain XL is rated for 18 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 5.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 5 | Skullcandy Terrain XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.97 Discontinued | $79.99 |
| Ranked | #70 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #140 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 95dB SPL (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (SKDY Multi-Link, up to 99 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) | 1.4 lbs (635 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange | 2x 48mm drivers + passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) | 7.5” x 3.5” x 3.5” (190.5 x 88.9 x 88.9 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 2 x 20W |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | Yes (wrist strap) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip 5: $64.97 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | Yes |
| 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
Skullcandy Terrain XL: $79.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: The loudest and longest-running of the Terrain line at 95dB and 18 hours, and the only one with a built-in microphone. IPX7 rated with a nylon wrist wrap. Multi-Link pairs it with other Skullcandy speakers.
Cons: Shares the Terrain line’s tuning: no bass, very rolled off treble, and distortion in the treble. The extra size buys volume and runtime, not better sound.
Full Skullcandy Terrain XL review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2 x 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 3.5” x 3.5” (190.5 x 88.9 x 88.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB SPL (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (SKDY Multi-Link, up to 99 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (wrist strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (635 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Newly Released! Skullcandy Terrain XL 🦨 Quick Overview & Sound Comparison with JBL Flip 6 & Tozo PA1 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- FishBee Product Reviews: Why is NO ONE Buying the New Skullcandy Speakers?? More from FishBee Product Reviews →
- Flossy Carter: All The New SkullCandy Bluetooth Speakers More from FlossyCarter →
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