Short answer: the JBL Flip 7. It ranks #14 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $129.95; the JBL Pulse 5 ranks #42 and costs $199.12, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Flip 7 gets right: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size. Just slightly more treble than the Flip 6 which was already a great speaker. Set against that: 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.
On the JBL Pulse 5 side: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. The tradeoff: Not quite as deep bass as others. Plastic scratches easily.
Buy the JBL Flip 7. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Pulse 5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 7 | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.95 | $199.12 |
| Ranked | #14 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 100dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 560 g | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Drivers | 45x80mm racetrack driver + 16mm tweeter | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Output Power | 35W total (25W main + 10W tweeter) | 40W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 7.2" x 2.7" x 2.8" (182.5 x 69.5 x 71.5 mm) | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V 7.5W-15W) | USB-C |
| Frequency Response | - | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 21, 2026 at 5:30 AM 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 →
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- 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 →
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- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 7 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Pulse 5: $199.12 Amazon eBay
Pros: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2.
Cons: Not quite as deep bass as others. Plastic scratches easily.
Full JBL Pulse 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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