Short answer: the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2. It ranks #54 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $49.99; the JBL Flip Essential ranks #66 and costs $130, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 offers: Good battery life - 20+ hours on a charge. IPX7 rated. PartyCast mode links multiple speakers; app EQ presets. Watch for: A little less bass than similar size speakers.
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.
Buy the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Flip Essential and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Battery life favors the Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2: rated for 24 hours against 10 hours for the JBL Flip Essential.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 | JBL Flip Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $130 |
| Ranked | #54 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #66 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 372 g | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.2" x 2.3" (174 x 57 x 59 mm) | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Output Power | 16W | 16W RMS |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5") titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Sony XB23 vs JBL Charge 3
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- JBL Charge 3 vs JBL Grip
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
- JBL Flip 7 vs Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2
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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2: $49.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Good battery life - 20+ hours on a charge. IPX7 rated. PartyCast mode links multiple speakers; app EQ presets.
Cons: A little less bass than similar size speakers.
Full Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 180ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.2" x 2.3" (174 x 57 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 38mm (1.5") titanium diaphragm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 372 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Anker Soundcore 3 vs Tribit Maxsound Plus - Best £50 speaker More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boost vs Soundcore 3 - Best small bluetooth speaker❓
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: Anker SoundCore 3 Vs. SoundCore Select 2 Bass Sound Test
- Reddit Search for Soundcore 3/Soundcore Select 2 Review
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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
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