Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #13 of 164 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5) at $114.95 and is still sold new; the Xiaomi Mi Portable ranks #75 (rated 3.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
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 Flip 5. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Xiaomi Mi Portable lacks. Watch for: Some slight upper mids emphasis.
The Xiaomi Mi Portable is the lighter choice. Good battery life for a 16W speaker: around 12 hours at moderate volume. At 0.8 lbs (373 g) it weighs noticeably less than the JBL Flip 6 at 1.2 lbs (544 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Flip 6 lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Flip 6. The tradeoff: A bit of a sharp treble.
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Xiaomi Mi Portable is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 6 | Xiaomi Mi Portable | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $55 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #75 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (544 g) | 0.8 lbs (373 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (176 x 68 x 72 mm) | 8.4” x 2.9” x 2.9” (213 x 74 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 2x 57mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C (5V/1A) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 16W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 7 is screech-fest heaven! vs Flip 6! More from alanrossreviews →
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- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs Maxsound Plus and Soundcore Boost - ultimate travel speaker!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex Review! vs JBL Flip 6 and JBL Charge 5. Travel heaven?? 🤞
- 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 →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Mifa WildRod Review and new firmware comparison vs JBL Flip 6 - things got interesting 👀
- New Stuff TV 2: Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Flip 6, JBL Charge 5 & Soundcore Motion 300 More from NewStuffTV1 →
- FishBee Product Reviews: Xiaomi Mi Sound Outdoor 30W Speaker vs JBL Flip 6 - CRAZY GOOD! More from FishBee Product Reviews →
- 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)
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Newly Released! Skullcandy Terrain XL 🦨 Quick Overview & Sound Comparison with JBL Flip 6 & Tozo PA1
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best? More from Oluv’Sone →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Xiaomi Mi Portable: $55 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Good battery life for a 16W speaker: around 12 hours at moderate volume. USB-C charging, stereo pairing support.
Cons: A bit of a sharp treble. Discontinued.
Full Xiaomi Mi Portable review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 13 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4” x 2.9” x 2.9” (213 x 74 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 57mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/1A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (373 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Sony ULT Field 3
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Sony XB33
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- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs Soundcore 3
- Xiaomi Mi Portable vs JBL Flip 4
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