Short answer: the Huawei Sound Joy for better sound quality, the JBL Flip Essential for the lower price. The Huawei Sound Joy ranks #38 of 142 medium speakers at $180. The JBL Flip Essential ranks #69 at $130, $50 cheaper.
What the JBL Flip Essential offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Huawei Sound Joy offers: Use Devialet and +6db EQ for best sound quality Watch for: Boosted treble, not quite as deep of bass as a Charge 5. Very expensive
Buy the JBL Flip Essential if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Huawei Sound Joy if sound quality is the priority over the price.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Huawei Sound Joy is rated for 26 hours, the JBL Flip Essential only 10 hours.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Huawei Sound Joy | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $180 |
| Ranked | #69 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #38 of 142 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 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) | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes (3 microphones) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Stereo | - | No |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Power Input | - | USB-C (5V/2A, 9V/2A, 10V/4A) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip Essential: $130 eBay
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) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
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Huawei Sound Joy: $180 Aliexpress eBay
Pros: Use Devialet and +6db EQ for best sound quality. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted treble, not quite as deep of bass as a Charge 5. Very expensive
Full Huawei Sound Joy review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 30W total (20W + 10W) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (3 microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8" x 2.9" (202 x 73 mm) (height x width) |
| Drivers | 1x 50x75mm racetrack woofer (20W) + 1x 19mm silk dome tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (with G-sensor orientation switching) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/2A, 9V/2A, 10V/4A) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
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