Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party. It ranks #19 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $142.99. The JBL Flip 5 ranks #70, rated 3.3/5, at $64.97, $78.02 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Xiaomi Sound Party does well: An unusually versatile 1.2kg outdoor speaker: IP67 dust/water protection, USB-C power-bank output, NFC pairing, lights, stereo pairing and a claimed 26-hour battery life. The tradeoff: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
The case for the JBL Flip 5: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. The tradeoff: Not stereo.
One note: the JBL Flip 5 is no longer sold new, but at #70 of 150 medium speakers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering.
Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $78.02 you would save on the JBL Flip 5 does not close the gap.
If battery life is a priority, the Xiaomi Sound Party is rated for 26 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 5.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Xiaomi Sound Party | JBL Flip 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $142.99 | $64.97 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #19 of 150 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #70 of 150 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Earfun Uboom L
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Minirig 4
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Xiaomi Sound Party
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
Xiaomi Sound Party: $142.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: An unusually versatile 1.2kg outdoor speaker: IP67 dust/water protection, USB-C power-bank output, NFC pairing, lights, stereo pairing and a claimed 26-hour battery life. Several independent reviews describe a warm, generally balanced sound with clear vocals and useful bass impact when Bass Boost is off. It is also easy to carry thanks to the retractable handle. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing. One lab review found it loud but flat and unclean with blurred treble, while others hear the Bass Boost mode as boomy upper bass that can bottom out at high volume. It is not the strongest choice for a large party: tested output is around 94dB and rivals such as the Soundcore Boom 2 play louder with deeper bass. SBC is the only Bluetooth codec and there is no aux input.
Full Xiaomi Sound Party review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Xiaomi Sound Party - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party - first look
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party vs Boom 2 & Helsinki
- Alan Ross: JBL Charge 6 vs Xiaomi Sound Party – Honest No-BS Comparison More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross: Xiaomi Sound Party or Soundcore Boom 2 - 4 db louder?!
- Grimluck: XIAOMI Sound Party Review and Comparison (Jbl charge and Xiaomi outdoor)
- Jefferson C: XIAOMI Sound Party 2025
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Tribit Maxsound Plus/Thunderbox Plus
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Harman Kardon Luna 2
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Miatone Boompro
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs JBL Flip 7
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- See all 120 comparisons
JBL Flip 5: $64.97 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
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 →
| 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2 More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Techder Audios: #JBL Flip 5 VS #JBL Flip Essential "IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON!?" More from techderaudios →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Head-to-Head Comparisons