Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #13 of 167 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $114.95; the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE ranks #59, rated 3.6/5, at $113.82. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
The JBL Flip 6 is the better-sounding pick. A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the JBL Flip 5. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE lacks. The catch: Some slight upper mids emphasis.
Why pick the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE: The successor to the JBL Flip Essential 2 adds a separate 16mm tweeter to its racetrack woofer and two passive radiators, with 30W of amplification against 20W, and reviewers found its bass punchy and its sound dynamic. The tradeoff: No side-by-side sound comparisons yet, so its rating is estimated from its predecessor and the JBL Flip 7.
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1.13 with the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Worth knowing: the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.2 to 4.0, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 6 | JBL Flip Essential 3 SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $113.82 |
| Ranked | #13 of 167 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 167 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL Portable) |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (app EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Auracast stereo pair) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (544 g) | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm) | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.8” (180 x 69.5 x 72 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 1x 45x80mm racetrack woofer + 1x 16mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 30W RMS (20W woofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (fixed loop) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Frequency Response | - | 63Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Flip 6:
- 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 11, 2026 at 4:59 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: $114.95 Amazon 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
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- CEONTHEMAKING: Earfun Uboom L - This Speaker Replaced My JBL Flip 6… More from CEONTHEMAKING →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion 300 or JBL Flip 6 or Soundcore Boost v2? we all have issues!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion 300 or JBL Flip 6 or Soundcore Boost v2? we all have issues!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Flip 7 Review - Is It Worth Upgrading Over The JBL Flip 6 Or Flip 5? More from GYMCADDY →
- SpeakerBlowUpMan Lee: Broke Man’s JBL Flip 6! Miatone Boompro Bluetooth Speaker Review
- Techder Audios: JBL Flip 6 Martin Garrix Edition VS Wisetiger P3 "PRICEY VS REAL CHEAP?!" More from techderaudios →
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- Audio y Mas 🔊: Altavoces JBL Flip 6 vs W-King D320: ¿Cuál es el mejor en calidad de sonido? 🔊
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 4 and JBL Charge 3 - small one or a large one? 🤷♂️
- 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 →
- Daniel Pérez: Tronsmart T7 vs JBL Flip 6
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs Marshall Emberton review - mono or pseudo surround sound? 🤷♀️
- Luan Tech: JBL FLIP 6 vs LG XBOOM XG5 COMPARATIVO COMPLETO!
- Audio 503: Tronsmart T7 Lite (24w) vs JBL Flip 6 (30w)
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best? More from Oluv’Sone →
- 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!
- Speaker Fan: JBL Flip 6 VS JBL Flip Essential 2 VS JBL Grip Loudness Test - Which Is Louder?
- Storytripper HD: Huawei Sound Joy 2 vs JBL Flip 6 vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor More from storytripperhd →
- 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!
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: Beats Pill (by Apple) 2024 version review vs JBL and Soundcore!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei sound joy vs JBL Charge 5 and Flip 6 - top mono speaker! 🤓
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Flip Essential 3 SE: $113.82 Estimated Amazon eBay
Older models: the JBL Flip Essential 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5) and the JBL Flip Essential (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Flip Essential generation.
Pros: The successor to the JBL Flip Essential 2 adds a separate 16mm tweeter to its racetrack woofer and two passive radiators, with 30W of amplification against 20W, and reviewers found its bass punchy and its sound dynamic. It brings Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast pairing for stereo or multi speaker use, the JBL Portable app with EQ, IP67 dust and water resistance, a claimed 12 hours of battery and USB-C charging.
Cons: No side-by-side sound comparisons yet, so its rating is estimated from its predecessor and the JBL Flip 7. Reviewers found it gets muddy and rumbly at high volume with dense tracks, where the JBL Flip 7 stays clearer and wider sounding, and the JBL Flip 7 also adds IP68 and longer battery life.
Full JBL Flip Essential 3 SE review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2026 (6 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS (20W woofer + 10W tweeter) |
| App | Yes (JBL Portable) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.8” (180 x 69.5 x 72 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 45x80mm racetrack woofer + 1x 16mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ) |
| Frequency Response | 63Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (fixed loop) |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast stereo pair) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons