Short answer: the JBL Flip 7. It ranks #15 of 164 medium portable speakers against #80 for the Flip 5, a gap of 65 places, for $54.98 more.
The sound quality gap is real, not just a spec sheet difference. Our notes describe the Flip 7 as a very neutral speaker with only a slight 4kHz bump keeping it from matching the excellent Flip 6. The Flip 5, by contrast, is called out for boosted upper bass, a piercing sound when turned up, and peaky lower treble at higher volumes. That is a meaningful difference for anyone who listens above moderate volume.
The driver layout explains part of it. The Flip 7 uses a two-way setup with a 45x80mm racetrack driver plus a dedicated 16mm tweeter, while the Flip 5 relies on a single 44x80mm full-range driver to cover the whole range, which is a common cause of the kind of treble harshness described in its cons. The Flip 7 also reaches 100dB of max volume against 92dB for the Flip 5, and its EQ still works through the app; the Flip 5’s app-based EQ was sunsetted in 2024 and effectively no longer functions.
Everything else favors the newer speaker too: IP68 versus IPX7, AAC codec support versus SBC only, Bluetooth 5.4 versus 4.2, and 14 hours of battery versus 12. The two are nearly identical in size and weight.
Buy the JBL Flip 7 for meaningfully better sound quality, a still-working EQ, and a tougher IP rating.
Buy the JBL Flip 5 only if you find one secondhand for well under its original price and don’t push the volume high, since its treble harshness only shows up when you crank it.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 7 | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.95 | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #15 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #80 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (560 g) | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Drivers | 45x80mm racetrack driver + 16mm tweeter | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| Amplifier Power | 35W total (25W main + 10W tweeter) | 20W RMS |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.2” x 2.7” x 2.8” (182.5 x 69.5 x 71.5 mm) | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V 7.5W-15W) | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (detachable PushLock accessory) | Yes (lanyard) |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 200ms |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Flip 7 vs Earfun Uboom L
- JBL Flip 7 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- JBL Flip 7 vs Soundcore Motion+
- JBL Flip 7 vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
- JBL Flip 7 vs Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
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 7: $119.95 Amazon eBay
Older models: the JBL Flip 6 (ranked higher, rated 4.2/5), the JBL Flip 5 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5) and the JBL Flip 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5).
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. IP68 protection, a 7-band app EQ, Auracast and a USB-C digital audio input. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-10dB).
Cons: A little bit of a bump at 4kHz, not quite as neutral as the Flip 6. On balance it is the slightly worse of the two.
Full JBL Flip 7 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 35W total (25W main + 10W tweeter) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V 7.5W-15W) |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable PushLock accessory) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (560 g) |
- Links
- 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?? More from FishBee Product Reviews →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Flip 5: $64.97 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass. Piercing sound when turned up. Peaky lower treble at higher volumes. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Techder Audios: #JBL Flip 5 VS #JBL Flip Essential "IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON!?" More from techderaudios →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Head-to-Head Comparisons