Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential 2. It ranks #71 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $85.90. The Limitless Innovations TikiTunes ranks #150, rated 2.0/5, at $40, $45.90 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for the JBL Flip Essential 2: Essentially a Flip 5 in a new shell: the same single 44 x 80mm racetrack driver and 20W amplifier, rated down to 65Hz. 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 Limitless Innovations TikiTunes does well: Distinctive flickering-flame LED design: the most-praised feature in owner reviews. The catch: Pretty much no bass at all, weird tuning.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $45.90 with the Limitless Innovations TikiTunes does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential 2 | Limitless Innovations TikiTunes | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $85.90 | $40 |
| Ranked | #71 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #150 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm racetrack fullrange + 2x passive radiators | 2x 2” (51mm) full-range drivers |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 5W |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 9 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP65 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (520 g) | 0.7 lbs (0.3 kg) |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.7” x 2.8” (175 x 68 x 70 mm) | 4” x 4” x 6.5” (102 x 102 x 165 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 185Hz |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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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Limitless Innovations TikiTunes: $40 Amazon eBay
Pros: Distinctive flickering-flame LED design: the most-praised feature in owner reviews. IP65 rated. ~16.5 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of 185Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Pretty much no bass at all, weird tuning. Sounds very very bad
Full Limitless Innovations TikiTunes review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 5W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 185Hz |
| Battery Life | 9 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4” x 4” x 6.5” (102 x 102 x 165 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” (51mm) full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (0.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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