Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, if you are buying new. The JBL Flip Essential ranks higher than the DBSONO X-Blast F37 (#89 vs #117 of 179 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.6/5 at $115.99 and is still sold new.
The JBL Flip Essential is the better-sounding, lighter option. 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 DBSONO X-Blast F37 at 1.7 lbs (771 g). It is rated IPX7 against IPX5 for the DBSONO X-Blast F37. It keeps a wired aux input, which the DBSONO X-Blast F37 lacks. 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.
What the DBSONO X-Blast F37 does well: An affordable splash resistant speaker with a separate woofer and tweeter, long Bluetooth range and stereo pairing. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. Watch for: Very recessed lower mids, peaky upper mids, just not a great frequency response overall.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Flip Essential; it is rated higher for sound quality than the DBSONO X-Blast F37.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | DBSONO X-Blast F37 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $69.99 |
| Ranked | #89 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #117 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (Bass Boost) |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) | 1.7 lbs (771 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 6.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 25W woofer, 10W tweeter, passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 8” x 2.5” x 3.6” (202 x 64 x 90.9 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | 35W |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 49Hz |
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