Short answer: the JBL Flip 7. It ranks #15 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $149.95; the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE ranks #42, rated 3.7/5, and costs $199.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Flip 7 is the better sounding speaker. It is very neutral, with only a small bump at 4kHz, and reaches about 100dB measured. The Charge Essential 3 SE plays louder and deeper, but in side by side tests its bass distorted on bass-heavy tracks even with the bass turned down.
Size: the Flip 7 weighs 1.2 lbs (560 g) and is almost pocket size. The Essential 3 SE is a full Charge-size speaker at 2.1 lbs (960 g).
Features split. The Flip 7 has IP68, a 7-band app EQ, AAC and a USB-C wired audio input, with a claimed 14 hours of battery. The Essential 3 SE has IP67, a claimed 20 hours, a USB-C power bank output and Auracast stereo pairing, which the Flip 7 lacks. Both link to other Auracast JBL speakers.
Buy the JBL Flip 7. It is rated higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge Essential 3 SE and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 7 | JBL Charge Essential 3 SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.95 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #15 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (560 g) | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Drivers | 45x80mm racetrack driver + 16mm tweeter | 52mm x 90mm racetrack woofer, 20mm tweeter, two passive radiators |
| Amplifier Power | 35W total (25W main + 10W tweeter) | 40W total (30W woofer + 10W tweeter) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 7.2” x 2.7” x 2.8” (182.5 x 69.5 x 71.5 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V 7.5W-15W) | USB-C (5V/3A) |
| Strap | Yes (detachable PushLock accessory) | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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