Short answer: the JBL Flip 7 if sound quality matters most, the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 if price matters most. The JBL Flip 7 ranks #14 of 140 medium speakers at $129.95. The Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 ranks #139 at $79.99, $49.96 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Flip 7: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size. Just slightly more treble than the Flip 6 which was already a great speaker. Watch for: A little bit of a bump at 4khz, not quite as neutral as the FLip 6. I believe this one is slightly worse than the Flip 6.
What the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 2/ Lifejacket 3 offers: Tank-like build quality - reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. The catch: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews. Gets distorted with a lot of bass.
Buy the JBL Flip 7 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Skip the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 140 medium speakers.
If battery life is a priority, the Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 is rated for 30 hours versus 14 hours for the JBL Flip 7.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 7 | Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.95 | $79.99 |
| Ranked | #14 of 140 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #139 of 140 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 100dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 560 g | 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Drivers | 45x80mm racetrack driver + 16mm tweeter | 4.5" (114mm) woofer |
| Output Power | 35W total (25W main + 10W tweeter) | 80W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Dimensions | 7.2" x 2.7" x 2.8" (182.5 x 69.5 x 71.5 mm) | 8" x 3.8" x 4.2" (203.2 x 96.5 x 106.7 mm) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V 7.5W-15W) | Micro USB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs JBL Charge 2
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs Marshall Emberton III
- JBL Flip 7 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- JBL Flip 7 vs Soundcore Motion+
Prices on this page were last checked September 1, 2026 at 2:15 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 7: $129.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size. Just slightly more treble than the Flip 6 which was already a great speaker. Slightly deeper bass than the Flip 6
Cons: A little bit of a bump at 4khz, not quite as neutral as the FLip 6. I believe this one is slightly worse than the Flip 6.
Full JBL Flip 7 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 7.2" x 2.7" x 2.8" (182.5 x 69.5 x 71.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 45x80mm racetrack driver + 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 35W total (25W main + 10W tweeter) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V 7.5W-15W) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 560 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 7 is screech-fest heaven! vs Flip 6!
- Chrispy Things [EDC]: JBL Flip 7: My thoughts & sound test VS the Flip 6!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Flip 7 Review - Is It Worth Upgrading Over The JBL Flip 6 Or Flip 5? More from GYMCADDY →
- Musou1: JBL flip 7 vs KEF muo vs Bose flex 2
- FishBee Product Reviews: LG XBOOM Grab (2025) by Will.i.am - BETTER Than JBL Flip 7??
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3: $79.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Tank-like build quality - reviewers have frozen it, dropped it, and buried it in sand with no issues. IP67 rated; doubles as a power bank. Universal mounting clip for a bike, kayak, or backpack. True wireless pairing lets you link two units.
Cons: Barely any bass, “pathetic sounding” said Jay’s Reviews. Gets distorted with a lot of bass. The entire Altec Lansing Bluetooth speaker line likely also sounds similarly bad.
Full Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8" x 3.8" x 4.2" (203.2 x 96.5 x 106.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5" (114mm) woofer |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.7 lbs / 1.22 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 🦨 (2022 Version) How Many Versions Have They Made❓ How Bad Is It❓ More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Ivan T: Altec lancing lifejacket 3
- Altec lansing bass test: bass test altec lansing lifejacket 3 (mambo lambo crazy bass)
- Fewishaツ: Altec Lansing Life Jacket 3 Bass Test
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs Skullcandy Terrain/Terrain XT/Terrain XL
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge Essential
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 3
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Flip 5
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs Beats Pill 2024
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 4
- Altec Lansing Lifejacket 3 vs JBL Charge 6