Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential 2 if sound quality matters most, the Klipsch Groove if price matters most. The JBL Flip Essential 2 ranks #75 of 157 medium speakers, rated 3.3/5, at $85.90. The Klipsch Groove ranks #105, rated 2.8/5, at $9, $76.90 cheaper.
The JBL Flip Essential 2 is the better-sounding, lighter choice. Essentially a Flip 5 in a new shell: the same single 44 x 80mm racetrack driver and 20W amplifier, rated down to 65Hz. At 1.1 lbs (520 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Klipsch Groove at 1.7 lbs (770 g). It is rated IPX7 against IPX4 for the Klipsch Groove. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: 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.
What the Klipsch Groove does well: Pretty balanced sound in a compact, splash-resistant form factor. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip Essential 2 lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Flip Essential 2 lacks. The catch: Bass doesn’t go as deep as class leaders.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 2 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Klipsch Groove when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential 2 | Klipsch Groove | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $85.90 | 9.00 |
| Ranked | #75 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm racetrack fullrange + 2x passive radiators | 1x 3” full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 10W RMS |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (520 g) | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (175 x 68 x 70 mm) | 5” x 6” x 2.6” (127 x 152 x 67 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Flip Essential 2 compares with other leading options:
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- JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Flip Essential 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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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Klipsch Groove: 9.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Pretty balanced sound in a compact, splash-resistant form factor. IPX4 water resistance and ~8 hour battery life make it durable for outdoor and poolside use. 3-inch high excursion full-range driver paired with dual side-firing passive radiators.
Cons: Not stereo. Bass doesn’t go as deep as class leaders. Distortion sets in at higher output levels. Older Bluetooth 4.0 architecture without app EQ.
Full Klipsch Groove review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5” x 6” x 2.6” (127 x 152 x 67 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 3” full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
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