Short answer: the DBSONO X-Blast F37, if you are buying new. The JBL Flip Essential ranks higher than it (#71 vs #96 of 144 medium speakers, 3.2/5 vs 2.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the DBSONO X-Blast F37 is still sold new.
The case for the JBL Flip Essential: A genuinely portable 471g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. Watch for: Bass is lighter than the 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: 25W woofer + 10W tweeter + rear passive radiator. Watch for: Very recessed lower mids, peaky upper mids, just not a great frequency response overall.
Buy the DBSONO X-Blast F37 if you want one new; the JBL Flip Essential is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | DBSONO X-Blast F37 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | - |
| Ranked | #71 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #96 of 144 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 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 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 49Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Flip Essential:
- Earfun Uboom L vs JBL Flip Essential
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Flip Essential
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Flip Essential
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Flip Essential
- JBL Flip Essential vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip Essential: $130 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip Essential 2, rated 3.3/5.
Pros: A genuinely portable 471g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. It is a simple, no-app option for wired sources, travel and casual listening where its cylindrical shape and modest size are a genuine advantage.
Cons: Bass is lighter than the Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight. Battery life is only a claimed 10 hours, there is no speakerphone, EQ or party mode, and its older Bluetooth 4.1 platform and discontinued status make it a basic used-market choice.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Flip Essential vs Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Flip Essential vs Sony XB23
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip Essential 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 5
- See all 90 comparisons
DBSONO X-Blast F37 eBay
Pros: 25W woofer + 10W tweeter + rear passive radiator. Bluetooth 6.0 with a 30m range and TWS stereo pairing. IPX5 water resistance. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Very recessed lower mids, peaky upper mids, just not a great frequency response overall.
Full DBSONO X-Blast F37 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 35W |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8” x 2.5” x 3.6” (202 x 64 x 90.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 25W woofer, 10W tweeter, passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes (Bass Boost) |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (771 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2 - They all want to be me 😊 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs Tribit StormBox Flow - Cheap But Cheerful? 🙈
- Alan Ross - The Anti Shill!: DBsono X-Blast F37 is warmer than the Bahamas in a heatwave!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs Sony SRS-XE300
- DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs Marshall Emberton III
- DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs Marshall Emberton II
- DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs Soundcore 2
- DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs KEF Muo gen2
- DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs Sonos Roam 2
- See all 17 comparisons