Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party. It ranks #20 of 182 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $135.84 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 Xiaomi Sound Party is the better-sounding, louder pick. A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 102dB at full volume, against 92dB for the JBL Flip 5. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Flip 5. The catch: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
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 much less than the Xiaomi Sound Party at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). The catch: Boosted upper bass.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the JBL Flip 5 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Output: the Xiaomi Sound Party was measured at 102 dB maximum against 92 dB for the JBL Flip 5, so it gets clearly louder before it runs out of headroom.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Sound Party | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $135.84 | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #20 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 182 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 20W RMS |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) | USB-C |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | Yes (lanyard) |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 200ms |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Xiaomi Sound Party: reviews by Joy & Oluv’Sone, Oluv and Alan Ross.
- 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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