Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential 2. It ranks #81 of 164 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.3/5) at $85.90 and is still sold new; the EFM Toledo ranks #152 (rated 2.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The JBL Flip Essential 2 is the better-sounding option. Essentially a Flip 5 in a new shell: the same single 44 x 80mm racetrack driver and 20W amplifier, rated down to 65Hz. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: There is no tweeter, and side by side comparisons found it does not sound as good as the Flip 6, with less bass; its bass stops growing above about 70% volume, so turning it up mostly adds loudness, not weight.
The EFM Toledo is the longer-running choice. A compact 1.1 lbs (500 g) speaker with dual drivers, IPX6 protection, speakerphone capability, TWS pairing and a claimed 15-hour battery life. It is rated for 15 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential 2. The catch: With only 10W output, bass is very limited and treble rolls off early, so music lacks the weight, detail and headroom of stronger portable speakers.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the EFM Toledo is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential 2 | EFM Toledo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $85.90 | $99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #81 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #152 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm racetrack fullrange + 2x passive radiators | 2x drivers |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 10W |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX6 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (520 g) | 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg) |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (175 x 68 x 70 mm) | 3.9” x 3.9” x 9.1” (100 x 100 x 230 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
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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 Essential 2: $85.90 Amazon eBay
Older model: the JBL Flip Essential (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).
Pros: Essentially a Flip 5 in a new shell: the same single 44 x 80mm racetrack driver and 20W amplifier, rated down to 65Hz. In a side by side loudness test it got louder than the JBL Grip, and listeners comparing it with the Marshall Emberton found it more open sounding and clearer. IPX7 waterproof, 520 g, USB-C charging and Bluetooth 5.1 with two phones connected at once.
Cons: There is no tweeter, and side by side comparisons found it does not sound as good as the Flip 6, with less bass; its bass stops growing above about 70% volume, so turning it up mostly adds loudness, not weight. No app, no EQ, no PartyBoost or stereo pairing, a claimed 10 hours of battery, and IPX7 covers water but not dust.
Full JBL Flip Essential 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (175 x 68 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm racetrack fullrange + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (520 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- AudioTribe: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Flip Essential 2 FULL TEARDOWN in Just 15 Minutes!
- Speaker Fan: JBL Flip 6 VS JBL Flip Essential 2 VS JBL Grip Loudness Test - Which Is Louder?
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: JBL Flip Essential 2 vs. Flip 6 | Bass Sound Test!
- Cristian Catalin’s Sound&Video: JBL Flip Essential 2 VS Marshall Emberton - sound comparison
- Angelicaaudio: Mini JBL Flip Essential 2 vs. JBL Charge 5 Bluetooth Speaker Review
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EFM Toledo: $99 Discontinued eBay
Pros: A compact 500g speaker with dual drivers, IPX6 protection, speakerphone capability, TWS pairing and a claimed 15-hour battery life. Its simple, rugged format makes it easy to carry for podcasts, background music and casual use around water.
Cons: With only 10W output, bass is very limited and treble rolls off early, so music lacks the weight, detail and headroom of stronger portable speakers. It has no aux input, app or EQ, and this discontinued model is best considered only if its compact weather-resistant design is the priority.
Full EFM Toledo review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 3.9” x 9.1” (100 x 100 x 230 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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