Short answer: the Xiaomi Sound Party. It ranks #20 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $149.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Flip Essential ranks #89 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Flip Essential’s replacement, the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.6/5 at $115.53.
The Xiaomi Sound Party is the better-sounding, longer-running option. A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle. It is rated for 26 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential. It links with other speakers (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers), which the JBL Flip Essential cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. Watch for: The sound evidence is mixed rather than universally glowing.
The JBL Flip Essential is the lighter choice. A light, simple waterproof speaker with an aux input, good for travel and casual listening. At 1 lbs (471 g) it weighs much less than the Xiaomi Sound Party at 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Xiaomi Sound Party 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 Xiaomi Sound Party. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Flip Essential is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A versatile outdoor speaker with warm, balanced sound, fully waterproof build, long battery life, a phone charging port and a handy retractable handle.
A light, simple waterproof speaker with an aux input, good for travel and casual listening.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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
| Xiaomi Sound Party | JBL Flip Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $130 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #20 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #89 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 10” x 3.6” x 3.6” (255 x 92 x 92 mm) | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1200 g) | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 16W RMS |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) | Micro USB |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
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