Short answer: the JBL Flip 7. It ranks #15 of 167 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $119.95. The JBL Flip Essential 3 SE ranks #59, rated 3.6/5, at $113.82, $6.13 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The JBL Flip 7 is the better-sounding choice. A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE lacks. The catch: A little bit of a bump at 4kHz, not quite as neutral as the JBL Flip 6.
The case for the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE: The successor to the JBL Flip Essential 2 adds a separate 16mm tweeter to its racetrack woofer and two passive radiators, with 30W of amplification against 20W, and reviewers found its bass punchy and its sound dynamic. Watch for: No side-by-side sound comparisons yet, so its rating is estimated from its predecessor and the JBL Flip 7.
Buy the JBL Flip 7. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $6.13 with the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Worth knowing: the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.2 to 4.0, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 7 | JBL Flip Essential 3 SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.95 | $113.82 |
| Ranked | #15 of 167 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 167 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated |
| App | Yes | Yes (JBL Portable) |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (app EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | No | Yes (Auracast stereo pair) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (560 g) | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, LC3 |
| Drivers | 45x80mm racetrack driver + 16mm tweeter | 1x 45x80mm racetrack woofer + 1x 16mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Amplifier Power | 35W total (25W main + 10W tweeter) | 30W RMS (20W 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) | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.8” (180 x 69.5 x 72 mm) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V 7.5W-15W) | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (detachable PushLock accessory) | Yes (fixed loop) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Frequency Response | - | 63Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Flip 7 vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
- JBL Flip 7 vs Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
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 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). See every JBL Flip generation.
Pros: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size. Just slightly more treble than the JBL Flip 6 which was already a great speaker. Slightly deeper bass than the JBL 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 JBL Flip 6. On balance it is the slightly worse of the two.
Full JBL Flip 7 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 →
- @DJ_Don official: Zealot Mp1 60 w vs Jbl Flip 7 35w camouflage sound battle
- YARNZO Tech: Zealot S167 Vs Jbl Flip7 The Result Will Surprise You🔥🔊 More from YARNZO Tech →
- Dresser: JBL Flip 7 vs Tronsmart T8 Bluetooth speaker sound test
- Importados Neto Rocha: Vale a pena pagar o dobro? Tronsmart C3 Plus vs JBL Flip 7
- YARNZO Tech: Jbl Flip7 Vs Zealot P12. Does Size Tells Everything?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Flip Essential 3 SE: $113.82 Estimated Amazon eBay
Older models: the JBL Flip Essential 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5) and the JBL Flip Essential (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Flip Essential generation.
Pros: The successor to the JBL Flip Essential 2 adds a separate 16mm tweeter to its racetrack woofer and two passive radiators, with 30W of amplification against 20W, and reviewers found its bass punchy and its sound dynamic. It brings Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast pairing for stereo or multi speaker use, the JBL Portable app with EQ, IP67 dust and water resistance, a claimed 12 hours of battery and USB-C charging.
Cons: No side-by-side sound comparisons yet, so its rating is estimated from its predecessor and the JBL Flip 7. Reviewers found it gets muddy and rumbly at high volume with dense tracks, where the JBL Flip 7 stays clearer and wider sounding, and the JBL Flip 7 also adds IP68 and longer battery life.
Full JBL Flip Essential 3 SE review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2026 (6 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS (20W woofer + 10W tweeter) |
| App | Yes (JBL Portable) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.8” (180 x 69.5 x 72 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 45x80mm racetrack woofer + 1x 16mm tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (app EQ) |
| Frequency Response | 63Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (fixed loop) |
| TWS | Yes (Auracast stereo pair) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons