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 #90 (rated 3.2/5) for the JBL Flip Essential. If you want one new, the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE replaces the JBL Flip Essential and is rated 3.6/5 at $113.82.
The Soundcore Glow is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. Nice light show. It is rated for 18 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. It links with other speakers (PartyCast up to 100 speakers), which the JBL Flip Essential cannot. The tradeoff: Bass falls off quickly at louder volumes, leaving mostly treble; distortion on bass-heavy tracks at full volume.
The JBL Flip Essential is the lighter pick. A genuinely portable 1 lbs (471 g) speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. At 1 lbs (471 g) it weighs much less than the Soundcore Glow at 1.8 lbs (800 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Soundcore Glow lacks. The catch: Bass is lighter than the JBL Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight.
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 Essential 3 SE, which replaces the JBL Flip Essential.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Glow | JBL Flip Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $130 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #50 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 11.4” x 4.7” x 4.3” (290 x 120 x 110 mm) | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 63.5mm full-range driver + 2x passive radiators | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (800 g) | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 16W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Soundcore Glow compares with other leading options:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Soundcore Glow
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Soundcore Glow
- 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
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JBL Flip Essential: $130 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5, released Apr 2026. See every JBL Flip Essential generation.
Pros: A genuinely portable 471g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. It is a simple, no-app option for wired sources, travel and casual listening where its cylindrical shape and modest size are a genuine advantage.
Cons: Bass is lighter than the JBL Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight. Battery life is only a claimed 10 hours, there is no speakerphone, EQ or party mode, and its older Bluetooth 4.1 platform and discontinued status make it a basic used-market choice.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2019 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Flip Essential vs JBL Charge 3
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