JBL Flip 6 vs Soundcore Select 3

Last updated: October 11, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #13 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $114.95. The Soundcore Select 3 ranks #87, rated 3.3/5, at $49.88, $65.07 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.

JBL Flip 6 vs Soundcore Select 3

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 Soundcore Select 3 lacks. The tradeoff: Some slight upper mids emphasis.

The Soundcore Select 3 is the longer-running pick. Two 1.5 inch drivers give genuine stereo in a small box, with BassUp for extra punch. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Flip 6. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Flip 6. The tradeoff: A retailer exclusive refresh of the Soundcore Select 2 formula, so bass depth is limited by the small drivers and BassUp compresses at high volume.

Buy the JBL Flip 6. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $65.07 you would save on the Soundcore Select 3 does not close the gap.

Worth knowing: the Soundcore Select 3 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.0 to 3.5, so treat this verdict as provisional.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Check JBL Flip 6 price at Amazon ($114.95) →Check Soundcore Select 3 price at Walmart ($49.88) →

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Flip 6 Soundcore Select 3
Price$114.95$49.88
Ranked#13 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#87 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated
AppYes-
Aux InputNo-
Bass Extension (-10dB)56Hz-
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Built-in MicrophoneNo-
EQYes (3 band)-
IP RatingIP67IPX7
Bluetooth Latency116ms-
Maximum SPL98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)-
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)Yes (PartyCast)
Power BankNo-
StereoNoYes
OmnidirectionalNo-
TWSYesYes
Weight1.2 lbs (544 g)1.3 lbs (576 g)
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBCSBC
Bluetooth Version5.15.0
Dimensions6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm)-
Drivers44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter2x 38mm (1.5”) full-range drivers + passive radiators
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Amplifier Power30W16W
Digital Aux InputNo-
StrapYes (built-in loop)Yes
Check JBL Flip 6 price at Amazon ($114.95) →Check Soundcore Select 3 price at Walmart ($49.88) →

More top alternatives to JBL Flip 6:

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 $114.95 Woot $79.95 Lowest eBay

JBL Flip 6 ranking card

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 →

ReleasedSep 2021 (5 years ago)
Amplifier Power30W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)56Hz
Battery Life12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC
Bluetooth Latency116ms
Bluetooth Version5.1
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm)
Drivers44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter
EQYes (3 band)
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)
TWSYes
Weight1.2 lbs (544 g)
Check current price at Amazon ($114.95) →Check current price at Woot ($79.95) →Search eBay for JBL Flip 6 →

Soundcore Select 3: $49.88 Estimated Walmart $49.88 eBay

Soundcore Select 3 ranking card

Pros: Two 1.5 inch drivers give genuine stereo in a small box, with BassUp for extra punch. 20 hour battery, full IPX7 waterproofing, a carry strap and PartyCast linking to other Soundcore speakers, all for about $50.

Cons: A retailer exclusive refresh of the Soundcore Select 2 formula, so bass depth is limited by the small drivers and BassUp compresses at high volume. No aux input and no app EQ confirmed. Mostly sold through Walmart, Costco and Verizon rather than Amazon.

Full Soundcore Select 3 review and specifications →

ReleasedOct 2024 (2 years ago)
Amplifier Power16W
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.0
Drivers2x 38mm (1.5”) full-range drivers + passive radiators
IP RatingIPX7
Party ModeYes (PartyCast)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
StrapYes
TWSYes
Weight1.3 lbs (576 g)
Check current price at Walmart ($49.88) →Search eBay for Soundcore Select 3 →