Short answer: the Soundcore Glow on measured sound quality, the JBL Flip 5 on price. The Soundcore Glow ranks #43 of 136 medium speakers at $80. The JBL Flip 5 ranks #62 at $64.97, $15.03 cheaper.
What the Soundcore Glow offers: Nice light show. Treble boosted 7db. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Watch for: Bass falls off quickly at louder volumes, leaving mostly treble; distortion on bass-heavy tracks at full volume. Light effects and bass-boost noticeably shorten battery life. USB-C port doesn’t support power-bank charging.
What the JBL Flip 5 offers: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated. Watch for: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass. Piercing sound when turned up. Peaky lower treble at higher volumes.
Buy the Soundcore Glow if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Flip 5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Soundcore Glow is rated for 18 hours, the JBL Flip 5 only 12 hours.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Glow | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #43 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #62 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 59Hz |
| Max Volume | 100dB | 92dB |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 4.7" x 4.3" (290 x 120 x 110 mm) | 7.1" x 2.7" x 2.9" (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.5mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g | 1.2 lbs / 540 g |
| Output Power | 30W | 20W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 200ms |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- JBL Flip 5 vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Flip 5 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 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 Glow: $80 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Nice light show. Treble boosted 7db. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Cons: Bass falls off quickly at louder volumes, leaving mostly treble; distortion on bass-heavy tracks at full volume. Light effects and bass-boost noticeably shorten battery life. USB-C port doesn’t support power-bank charging.
Full Soundcore Glow review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4" x 4.7" x 4.3" (290 x 120 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.5mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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JBL Flip 5: $64.97 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated.
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 →
| Aux Input | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| 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 →
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