Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential 2. It ranks #80 of 179 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.3/5) at $85.90 and is still sold new; the JBL Flip Essential ranks #89 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Flip Essential’s replacement, the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.6/5 at $115.99.
A new driver design. The original Flip Essential uses two small full-range drivers with 16W and lighter bass, rated only down to 80Hz. The Flip Essential 2 uses a single larger 44 x 80mm racetrack driver with 20W, rated to 65Hz.
Connections: the original keeps a 3.5mm aux input, which the Flip Essential 2 drops. The Flip Essential 2 moves to USB-C charging and Bluetooth 5.1 with two phones connected at once.
Same basics: both are IPX7, both claim 10 hours, and neither has an app, EQ or party mode. The Flip Essential 2 weighs 1.1 lbs (520 g) against 1 lbs (471 g).
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Flip Essential is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential 2 | JBL Flip Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $85.90 | $130 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #80 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #89 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm racetrack fullrange + 2x passive radiators | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 16W RMS |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (520 g) | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (175 x 68 x 70 mm) | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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