Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, if you are buying new. The JBL Flip Essential ranks higher than the KEF Muo gen2 (#90 vs #97 of 175 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.6/5 at $113.82 and is still sold new.
The JBL Flip Essential is the lighter choice. A genuinely portable 1 lbs (471 g) speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. At 1 lbs (471 g) it weighs noticeably less than the KEF Muo gen2 at 1.6 lbs (740 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the KEF Muo gen2 lacks. The catch: Bass is lighter than the JBL Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight.
The KEF Muo gen2 is the longer-running option. KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the JBL Flip Essential cannot. The catch: Lacking deeper bass.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Flip Essential; it is rated higher for sound quality than the KEF Muo gen2.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | KEF Muo gen2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $249.99 |
| Ranked | #90 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #97 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) | 1.6 lbs (740 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.4 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 8.5” x 3.2” x 2.3” (216 x 82 x 59 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | 40W |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, aptX Adaptive up to 48 kHz 24 bit |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Maximum SPL | - | 90dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Flip Essential compares with other leading options:
- 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 October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip Essential: $130 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5, released Apr 2026. See every JBL Flip Essential generation.
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 JBL 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 →
| Released | Nov 2019 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
- Links
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KEF Muo gen2: $249.99 Amazon $249.99 eBay
Pros: KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance
Cons: Lacking deeper bass. Very thuddy bass. Appears to be the exact same hardware but with updated tuning. Bass distorts as volume increases, and the claimed 43Hz extension is really only audible at low listening volumes, with a few seconds of lag after volume changes. Loses most of its bass off-axis. Customer reviews are mixed, ranging from praise for detail at low volume to complaints of a boxy, hollow sound.
Full KEF Muo gen2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX Adaptive up to 48 kHz 24 bit |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 8.5” x 3.2” x 2.3” (216 x 82 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs (740 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons