Short answer: the Minirig 4. It ranks #7 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $229.95 and is still sold new; the JBL Flip 5 ranks #79 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Flip 5’s replacement, the JBL Flip 7, is rated 4.2/5 at $149.95.
The Minirig 4 is the better-sounding, louder pick. A small, long lasting speaker that gets loud and can add a matching subwoofer, with a 30 hour battery. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 106dB at full volume, against 92dB for the JBL Flip 5. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Flip 5. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip 5 lacks. Watch for: Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating.
The JBL Flip 5 is the tougher pick. A compact, light waterproof speaker with a carry strap and USB-C charging. It is rated IPX7 against Splash resistant for the Minirig 4. Watch for: Boosted upper bass.
Buy the Minirig 4. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Flip 5 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Measured Differences
- Output: the Minirig 4 was measured at 106 dB maximum against 92 dB for the JBL Flip 5, so it gets clearly louder before it runs out of headroom.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Minirig 4 | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229.95 | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 182 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) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Minirig 4: reviews by Oluv, Alan Ross and Beautiful Zar DJ.
- JBL Flip 5: reviews by Alan Ross, DLX Willington and Techder Audios.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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