Short answer: the Soundcore Motion+. It ranks #3 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $79.99; the JBL Flip Essential ranks #66 and costs $130, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Soundcore Motion+ offers: The previous best sounding in class, still a great speaker with separate tweeters, more bass at full volume and better off-axis treble frequency response than the Uboom L. Just okay with the default EQ, I highly recommend using this EQ setting from r/kai7895 to get it more neutral. To achieve the absolute best sound you’ll need the Wavelet app (Android only) and set the provided Wavelet EQ in there too. Turn off the wavelet EQ for outdoor use. An alternative is Oluv’s EQ which only needs the Soundcore app EQ. Watch for: Not quite as neutral or detailed as the Uboom L. Without the above EQ, this speaker will rank around #25 in the rankings.
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 Motion+. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Flip Essential and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Motion+ | JBL Flip Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 used, Discontinued | $130 |
| Ranked | #3 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #66 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (9 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 130ms | - |
| Max Volume | 104dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.3 lbs / 1050 g | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 3.1" x 3.2" (257 x 79 x 81 mm) | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 30W | 16W RMS |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm (2.75") neodymium woofers + 2x silk dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
Other pairings from the same speaker class worth checking:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs W-King T9
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Charge 3
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Flip Essential
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 Motion+: $79.99 used, Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: The previous best sounding in class, still a great speaker with separate tweeters, more bass at full volume and better off-axis treble frequency response than the Uboom L. Just okay with the default EQ, I highly recommend using this EQ setting from r/kai7895 to get it more neutral. To achieve the absolute best sound you’ll need the Wavelet app (Android only) and set the provided Wavelet EQ in there too. Turn off the wavelet EQ for outdoor use. An alternative is Oluv’s EQ which only needs the Soundcore app EQ.
Cons: Not quite as neutral or detailed as the Uboom L. Without the above EQ, this speaker will rank around #25 in the rankings. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Motion+ review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 130ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 3.1" x 3.2" (257 x 79 x 81 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm (2.75") neodymium woofers + 2x silk dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (9 band) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.3 lbs / 1050 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Plus and Sony XB33 - ultimate travel speaker 2021 🤗 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: 2x Soundcore Boost (stereo) vs Motion Boom and Motion+ - Best Soundcore speaker? 😋
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Earfun Uboom Review - full test - vs tribit maxsound and motion plus!
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D8 Mini vs Anker Soundcore Motion Plus Speaker
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Motion+ 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
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