Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, if you are buying new. The JBL Flip Essential ranks higher than the Sony SRS-XE200 (#90 vs #143 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 better-sounding, lighter option. 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 much less than the Sony SRS-XE200 at 1.8 lbs (800 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony SRS-XE200 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 Sony SRS-XE200 is the longer-running option. IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. It is rated for 16 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. It links with other speakers (Party Connect up to 100 speakers), which the JBL Flip Essential cannot. The tradeoff: Sounds hollow.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Flip Essential; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XE200.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Sony SRS-XE200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #90 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #143 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (Sony | Music Center app) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 3.5” x 8.2” x 3.7” (90 x 208 x 94 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | 10W |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Strap | - | Yes (included strap) |
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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 3
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- JBL Flip Essential vs Teufel Rockster Go 2
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Sony SRS-XE200: $99.99 Amazon $99.99 eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked higher, rated 3.1/5, released Apr 2024. It drops LDAC. Battery life goes from 16 to 12 hours.
Older models: the Sony XB23 (ranked higher, rated 3.3/5), the Sony SRS-XB20 (ranked higher, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB21 (ranked higher, rated 2.7/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. Can prop up a phone/tablet as a stand. Fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback); Stamina mode extends battery when low.
Cons: Sounds hollow. Very muffled. Rolled off treble, weird midrange boost, just not great overall. Worse than a Sony XB33.
Full Sony SRS-XE200 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 10W |
| App | Yes (Sony | Music Center app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 8.2” x 3.7” (90 x 208 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (included strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: FINALLY! Sony SRS XG300, SRS XE300, & SRS XE200 Are Here. Binaural Sound Samples & First Impressions More from DLXWillington →
- Danny Pops: Sony XE200 XE300 vs Bose Marshall & JBL More from DannyPops →
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment More from GYMCADDY →
- Chrispy Things [EDC]: New Sony XE200 Bluetooth Speaker Sound Test & Review
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