Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #13 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $114.95. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 ranks #180, rated 2.0/5, at $62.99, $51.96 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Flip 6 is the better-sounding, lighter choice. A small, rugged speaker with very neutral sound for its size, an excellent choice for most people. At 1.2 lbs (544 g) it weighs much less than the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 at 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg). It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: Some slight upper mids emphasis.
The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 is the longer-running pick. A nearly indestructible waterproof speaker that doubles as a power bank, with a clip for bikes, kayaks or backpacks. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Flip 6. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Flip 6 lacks. The catch: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews of the line generally.
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $51.96 with the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 6 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $62.99 |
| Ranked | #13 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #180 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (544 g) | 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm) | 8.6” x 4.2” x 4.6” (218 x 107 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 4.5” (114mm) woofer |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 10W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (mounting clip) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JBL Flip 6: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Oluv and Alan Ross.
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2: reviews by GYMCADDY.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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