Short answer: the Minirig 4 if sound quality matters most, the JBL Flip 5 if price matters most. The Minirig 4 ranks #6 of 150 medium speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $229.95. The JBL Flip 5 ranks #70, rated 3.3/5, at $64.97, $164.98 cheaper.
The case for the Minirig 4: Modular, can easily attach a subwoofer. Watch for: Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating.
Why pick the JBL Flip 5: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Watch for: Not stereo.
One note: the JBL Flip 5 is discontinued, but it still ranks #70 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Minirig 4 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the JBL Flip 5 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Minirig 4 is rated for 30 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 5.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Flip 5 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Minirig 4 at Splash resistant (splashing).
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Minirig 4 | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229.95 | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #6 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #70 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 60ms | 200ms |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 4” x 2.9” (101.6 x 73 mm) (diameter x height) | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 70mm custom driver | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 20W RMS |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Strap | - | Yes (lanyard) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Minirig 4 compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom L vs Minirig 4
- Minirig 4 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Minirig 4 vs Soundcore Motion+
- Minirig 4 vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
- Denon Envaya DSB-250BT vs Minirig 4
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
Minirig 4: $229.95 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Minirig 3 (ranked lower, rated 4.3/5) and the Minirig 2 (ranked lower, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: Modular, can easily attach a subwoofer. Finally USB-C charging. Dynamically changes sound based on forward facing or upward facing orientation. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating. App is buggy. A bit expensive. Has reliability issues more often than any other speaker
Full Minirig 4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 60ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4” x 2.9” (101.6 x 73 mm) (diameter x height) |
| Drivers | 70mm custom driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Flip 5: $64.97 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass. Piercing sound when turned up. Peaky lower treble at higher volumes. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Techder Audios: #JBL Flip 5 VS #JBL Flip Essential "IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON!?" More from techderaudios →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Head-to-Head Comparisons