Short answer: the JBL Flip 7. It ranks #14 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $129.95; the LG Xboom Go PL5 ranks #114 and costs $289, 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 LG Xboom Go PL5 side: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. LED lights sync to music via the LG XBOOM app; Wireless Party Link connects up to 100 speakers. The catch: Barely any bass. 14khz peak, bright on top. Soundboost mode makes the top end even harsher.
Buy the JBL Flip 7. It ranks higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Go PL5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the LG Xboom Go PL5. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Flip 7 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the LG Xboom Go PL5 at IPX5 (water jets).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 7 | LG Xboom Go PL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.95 | $289.00 |
| Ranked | #14 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #114 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 100dB | 100dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 560 g | 1.4 lbs / 640 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Drivers | 45x80mm racetrack driver + 16mm tweeter | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| Output Power | 35W total (25W main + 10W tweeter) | 20W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Dimensions | 7.2" x 2.7" x 2.8" (182.5 x 69.5 x 71.5 mm) | 7.9" x 3.1" x 3.1" (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V 7.5W-15W) | USB-C |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- B&O Beosound Explore vs LG Xboom XG5
- Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- B&O Beosound Explore vs Doss E-Go II
- JBL Flip 7 vs Harman Kardon Luna
- JBL Flip 7 vs B&O Beosound Explore
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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??
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 7 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
LG Xboom Go PL5: $289.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. LED lights sync to music via the LG XBOOM app; Wireless Party Link connects up to 100 speakers. USB-C charging.
Cons: Barely any bass. 14khz peak, bright on top. Soundboost mode makes the top end even harsher.
Full LG Xboom Go PL5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.1" x 3.1" (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 640 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons