Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #13 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $79.95. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #39, rated 3.8/5, at $74.91, $5.04 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Flip 6 is the better-sounding, lighter option. A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the JBL Flip 5. At 1.2 lbs (544 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Charge Essential 2 at 2.1 lbs (930 g). It links with other speakers (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers), which the JBL Charge Essential 2 cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Charge Essential 2 lacks. The catch: Some slight upper mids emphasis.
The JBL Charge Essential 2 is the longer-running choice. A tough, compact 2.1 lbs (930 g) speaker with IPX7 water resistance, USB-C charging, a USB-A power-bank output and a claimed 20-hour battery life. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Flip 6. The tradeoff: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option.
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $5.04 with the JBL Charge Essential 2 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 6 | JBL Charge Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.95 | $74.91 |
| Ranked | #13 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #39 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (544 g) | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Flip 6 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Flip 6 vs EarFun Uboom L
- JBL Flip 6 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- JBL Flip 6 vs Soundcore Motion+
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Flip 6
- JBL Flip 6 vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 6: $79.95 Amazon $114.95 Woot $79.95 Lowest eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025. It adds USB audio input, but drops stereo pairing. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.
Older models: the JBL Flip 5 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5) and the JBL Flip 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5). See every JBL Flip generation.
Pros: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the JBL Flip 5. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Some slight upper mids emphasis. The TL version (made in Vietnam) tweeter can sound somewhat scratchy and doesn’t sound as good as the GG version (made in China)
Full JBL Flip 6 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (544 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best? More from Oluv’Sone →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 7 is screech-fest heaven! vs Flip 6! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs Maxsound Plus and Soundcore Boost - ultimate travel speaker!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Mifa WildRod Review and new firmware comparison vs JBL Flip 6 - things got interesting 👀
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs Marshall Emberton review - mono or pseudo surround sound? 🤷♀️
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex or JBL Flip 6 (eq adjusted) or Denon Envaya - best speaker for travel!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex Review! vs JBL Flip 6 and JBL Charge 5. Travel heaven?? 🤞
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion 300 or JBL Flip 6 or Soundcore Boost v2? we all have issues!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 4 and JBL Charge 3 - small one or a large one? 🤷♂️
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei sound joy vs JBL Charge 5 and Flip 6 - top mono speaker! 🤓
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Beats Pill (by Apple) 2024 version review vs JBL and Soundcore!
- Techder Audios: JBL Flip 6 Martin Garrix Edition VS Wisetiger P3 "PRICEY VS REAL CHEAP?!" More from techderaudios →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Flip 6 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 (Indoor Mode)⚔️ Battle of the Handheld Bluetooth Speakers. More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- CEONTHEMAKING: Earfun Uboom L - This Speaker Replaced My JBL Flip 6… More from CEONTHEMAKING →
- Storytripper HD: Huawei Sound Joy 2 vs JBL Flip 6 vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor More from storytripperhd →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Flip 7 Review - Is It Worth Upgrading Over The JBL Flip 6 Or Flip 5? More from GYMCADDY →
- FishBee Product Reviews: Xiaomi Mi Sound Outdoor 30W Speaker vs JBL Flip 6 - CRAZY GOOD! More from FishBee Product Reviews →
- New Stuff TV 2: Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Flip 6, JBL Charge 5 & Soundcore Motion 300 More from NewStuffTV1 →
- SpeakerBlowUpMan Lee: Broke Man’s JBL Flip 6! Miatone Boompro Bluetooth Speaker Review
- Audio y Mas 🔊: Altavoces JBL Flip 6 vs W-King D320: ¿Cuál es el mejor en calidad de sonido? 🔊
- Daniel Pérez: Tronsmart T7 vs JBL Flip 6
- Luan Tech: JBL FLIP 6 vs LG XBOOM XG5 COMPARATIVO COMPLETO!
- Audio 503: Tronsmart T7 Lite (24w) vs JBL Flip 6 (30w)
- AudioPro Reviews: Tronsmart Mirtune C3 vs JBL Flip 6
- Chrispy Things [EDC]: JBL Flip 7: My thoughts & sound test VS the Flip 6!
- AudioTribe: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Flip Essential 2 FULL TEARDOWN in Just 15 Minutes!
- AudioPro Reviews: Tronsmart T8 vs JBL Flip 6 | Which one sounds BETTER?
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: JBL Flip Essential 2 vs. Flip 6 | Bass Sound Test!
- Speaker Fan: JBL Flip 6 VS JBL Flip Essential 2 VS JBL Grip Loudness Test - Which Is Louder?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Charge Essential 2: $74.91 Sam’s Club $74.91 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE, ranked lower, rated 3.7/5, released Apr 2026. It adds app control, adjustable EQ, stereo pairing and party mode.
Older model: the JBL Charge Essential (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Charge Essential generation.
Pros: A tough, compact 930g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, USB-C charging, a USB-A power-bank output and a claimed 20-hour battery life. It delivers much of the JBL Charge 5’s familiar punch and volume in a simpler package, with bass that reaches roughly 55Hz for this size. Measured bass extension of ~55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: It is a pared-back Charge: no app EQ, no PartyBoost/party mode and no stereo-pair option. It plays mono, has a little less bass authority than the JBL Charge 5, and its IPX7 rating does not promise dust protection. Choose it for a good sale price, not for extra features.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (930 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Huawei Sound Joy
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Teufel Rockster XS
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Charge Essential 3 SE
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs EarFun Uboom Slim
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Soundcore Motion 100
- See all 141 comparisons