Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Huawei Sound Joy is the better pick: it ranks #40 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5), against #89 (rated 3.2/5) for the JBL Flip Essential. If you want one new, the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE replaces the JBL Flip Essential and 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 noticeably less than the Huawei Sound Joy at 1.5 lbs (680 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Huawei Sound Joy lacks. 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 Huawei Sound Joy is the better-sounding, longer-running option. A waterproof speaker with a separate tweeter, long battery life and good loudness, with a Devialet mode for its best sound. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. The tradeoff: Boosted treble, not quite as deep of bass as a JBL Charge 5.
Buy the Huawei Sound Joy only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, which replaces the JBL Flip Essential.
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 waterproof speaker with a separate tweeter, long battery life and good loudness, with a Devialet mode for its best sound.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Huawei Sound Joy | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $180 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #89 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (with G-sensor orientation switching) |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 1x 50x75mm racetrack woofer (20W) + 1x 19mm silk dome tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 8” x 2.9” (202 x 73 mm) (height x width) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | 30W total (20W + 10W) |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes (3 microphones) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C (5V/2A, 9V/2A, 10V/4A) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
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