Short answer: the Tronsmart T8. It ranks #54 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5) at $49.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Flip 5 ranks #79 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Flip 5’s replacement, the JBL Flip 7, is rated 4.2/5 at $149.95.
The Tronsmart T8 is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. An affordable waterproof speaker with upward firing drivers that spread sound around, plus lights, app EQ, an aux input and stereo pairing. It is rated for 18 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Flip 5. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Flip 5 lacks. Watch for: Against the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor, listeners in Mateusz Cholewa’s comparison found the T8 harsh and tiring, and Techder Audios’ test showed the Xiaomi Sound Party with deeper, heavier bass.
The JBL Flip 5 is the lighter choice. A compact, light waterproof speaker with a carry strap and USB-C charging. At 1.2 lbs (540 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Tronsmart T8 at 1.8 lbs (800 g). The tradeoff: Boosted upper bass.
Buy the Tronsmart T8. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Flip 5 is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Tronsmart T8 | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #54 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Stereo | Partially | No |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W RMS |
| App | Yes (Tronsmart) | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 18 hours at 50% volume, lights off (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours | - |
| Dimensions | 8.6”H x 3.2”W x 3.2”D (218 x 82 x 82 mm) | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x upward firing full-range drivers + 1x woofer + 2x passive radiators | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (app) | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (0.80 kg) | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 59Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 200ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Tronsmart T8: reviews by Mateusz Cholewa, Techder Audios and Jagist.
- JBL Flip 5: reviews by Alan Ross, DLX Willington and Techder Audios.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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