Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential for better sound quality, the Soundcore 2 for the lower price. The JBL Flip Essential ranks #66 of 136 medium speakers at $130. The Soundcore 2 ranks #81 at $29.98, $100.02 cheaper.
What the JBL Flip Essential offers: Aux input for wired sources. IPX7 rated. Genuinely portable at under a pound; a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5. Watch for: Less bass than a Flip 5.
What the Soundcore 2 offers: 24+ hour battery life from a 5200mAh cell. Very light (0.8 lb) and compact. IPX7 rated with a soft, grippy silicone coating. Watch for: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others
Buy the JBL Flip Essential if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Soundcore 2 is rated for 24 hours versus 10 hours for the JBL Flip Essential.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Soundcore 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $29.98 |
| Ranked | #66 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #81 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g | 0.7 lbs / 318 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 2x 38mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 6.6" x 1.9" x 2.2" (168 x 47 x 56 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | 12W |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge 3
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge 3
- Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Soundcore 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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 eBay
Pros: Aux input for wired sources. IPX7 rated. Genuinely portable at under a pound; a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5.
Cons: Less bass than a Flip 5.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Flip Essential vs Klipsch Nashville
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Flip Essential vs Sony XB23
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge Essential
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 2
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Flip 5
- JBL Flip Essential vs Beats Pill 2024
- See all 73 comparisons
Soundcore 2: $29.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: 24+ hour battery life from a 5200mAh cell. Very light (0.8 lb) and compact. IPX7 rated with a soft, grippy silicone coating.
Cons: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others
Full Soundcore 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.6" x 1.9" x 2.2" (168 x 47 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 12W |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs / 318 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore 2 vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Soundcore 2 vs LG Xboom Grab
- Soundcore 2 vs Tribit Xsound Surf
- Soundcore 2 vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
- Soundcore 2 vs Tribit Xsound Go
- Soundcore 2 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Soundcore 2 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
- Soundcore 2 vs Sony ULT Field 1
- See all 71 comparisons