Short answer: the Bogasing G4. It ranks #27 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $42.49 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 $115.53.
The JBL Flip Essential is the lighter choice. A light, simple waterproof speaker with an aux input, good for travel and casual listening. At 1 lbs (471 g) it weighs much less than the Bogasing G4 at 1.8 lbs (830 g). The tradeoff: Bass is lighter than the JBL Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight.
The Bogasing G4 is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. A light, affordable waterproof speaker with surprisingly strong bass for its size, solid loudness, long battery life and stereo pairing. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Flip Essential. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: The upper treble is boosted and uneven, while the mids sit slightly behind the bass and highs, so it is not a neutral choice for vocal-focused music.
Buy the Bogasing G4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Flip Essential is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A light, simple waterproof speaker with an aux input, good for travel and casual listening.
A light, affordable waterproof speaker with surprisingly strong bass for its size, solid loudness, long battery life and stereo pairing.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Bogasing G4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $42.49 |
| Ranked | #89 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) | 1.8 lbs (0.83 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | Two drivers and passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 8.9”H x 2.5”W x 3.4”D (225 x 64 x 86 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | 50W |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | LE Audio with LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Aux Latency | - | 16ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 90ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
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