Short answer: the Bogasing M5. It ranks #61 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5) at $52.99 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 pick. 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 M5 at 1.7 lbs (757 g). Watch for: 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 M5 is the longer-running option. A compact, backpack friendly speaker with very long battery life and USB-C charging at a budget price. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The tradeoff: Front/rear driver configuration.
Buy the Bogasing M5. 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.
A light, simple waterproof speaker with an aux input, good for travel and casual listening.
A compact, backpack friendly speaker with very long battery life and USB-C charging at a budget price.
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 M5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $52.99 |
| Ranked | #89 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #61 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) | 1.7 lbs (757 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 30W system |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 6.3” x 3” x 2.8” (160 x 76 x 71 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | 40W |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Stereo | No | No (front/rear drivers) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 61Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | - | Yes |
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