Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Soundcore Glow is the better pick: it ranks #50 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5), against #81 (rated 3.3/5) for the JBL Flip 5. If you want one new, the JBL Flip 7 replaces the JBL Flip 5 and is rated 4.2/5 at $89.95.
The Soundcore Glow is the better-sounding, louder pick. Nice light show. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 100dB at full volume, against 92dB for the JBL Flip 5. It is rated for 18 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Flip 5. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip 5 lacks. The tradeoff: Bass falls off quickly at louder volumes, leaving mostly treble; distortion on bass-heavy tracks at full volume.
The JBL Flip 5 is the lighter choice. Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. At 1.2 lbs (540 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Soundcore Glow at 1.8 lbs (800 g). The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass.
Buy the Soundcore Glow only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Flip 7, which replaces the JBL Flip 5.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Glow | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #50 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #81 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 59Hz |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 20W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 200ms |
| Frequency Response | - | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Strap | - | Yes (lanyard) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Soundcore Glow:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Soundcore Glow
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- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Flip 6 vs Soundcore Glow
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Nice light show. Treble boosted 7db. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
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. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Soundcore Glow review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2023 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Glow vs W-King D320
- Soundcore Glow vs JBL Pulse 5
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- Soundcore Glow vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
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- Soundcore Glow vs Soundcore Motion 100
- Soundcore Glow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- See all 71 comparisons
JBL Flip 5: $64.97 Discontinued Amazon $64.97 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older model: the JBL Flip 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5). See every JBL Flip generation.
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 →
| Released | Jul 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
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