Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential for wired aux input and a lower price, the Sonos Roam for wireless Qi charging and a more neutral sound. The Flip Essential is a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5 with less bass. The Roam is very neutral and IP67 rated at about 1 lbs (454 g), but its bass extension is not very good, it is not stereo and it distorts if you turn up the bass.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 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, start with the Earfun Uboom L instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Sonos Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $179.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #80 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #86 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Sonos S2 App |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | - |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| 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) | - | 63Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to 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 October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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, ranked higher, 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 | 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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Flip Essential vs Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Flip Essential vs Sony XB23
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Flip Essential vs Sonos Roam 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip Essential 2
- See all 90 comparisons
Sonos Roam: $179.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Sonos Roam 2, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5.
Pros: Very neutral. IP67 rated at ~1 lb. Wireless (Qi) charging: rare for a portable speaker. Works with Alexa/Sonos Voice Control and the wider Sonos ecosystem over Wi-Fi. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass extension isn’t very good. Not stereo. Gets distorted if you turn up the bass. Discontinued.
Full Sonos Roam review and specifications →
| App | Sonos S2 App |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons