Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #12 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $114.95; the LG Xboom Go PL5 ranks #125, rated 2.4/5, and costs $179, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the JBL Flip 6: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the Flip 5. The catch: Not stereo.
What the LG Xboom Go PL5 does well: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. Watch for: Barely any bass.
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It is rated higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Go PL5 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 6 | LG Xboom Go PL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $179.00 |
| Ranked | #12 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #125 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (544 g) | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm) | 7.9” x 3.1” x 3.1” (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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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 6: $114.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the 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 →
| 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 →
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- 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 →
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- 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 →
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- 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)
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
LG Xboom Go PL5: $179.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. LED lights sync to music via the LG XBOOM app; Wireless Party Link connects up to 100 speakers. USB-C charging. Measured bass extension of 71Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Barely any bass. 14kHz peak, bright on top. Soundboost mode makes the top end even harsher.
Full LG Xboom Go PL5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9” x 3.1” x 3.1” (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (640 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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