JBL’s colorful Bluetooth speakers and ultra-portable designs were very well known. The brand’s particular, bass-heavy audio profile makes it a favorite among party speakers and personal speakers alike, producing rich sound and startling volume even in the tiniest of the speakers.
Some of the most popular JBL speakers are built to be carried or attached into backpacks and bikes, and almost all of them are splash-proof if not entirely waterproof.
If you’re looking for something small and portable or something powerful enough to shake the room, JBL’s varied range is guaranteed to have something to suit your needs. But which one is the better one? Let’s find out.
JBL Flip 5
The Flip 5 is an excellent successor to the Flip 4, and it’s well worth the asking price if you’re going on a mini vacation or simply going to the park.With Bluetooth-only playing and limited functions, JBL Flip 5 is a simple yet gorgeous , but if you want a durable, great-sounding portable speaker and are willing to forego voice control or hands-free call ability, you won’t be disappointed.
Many Bluetooth speakers these days don’t follow Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe’s renowned adage that “less is more,” as manufacturers aim for Wi-Fi and multi-room this, voice control and AirPlay that. The JBL Flip 5 portable speaker’s basic design is surprising, especially given that it lacks some of the functionality of its predecessor, the JBL Flip 4.
There aren’t many goods that receive unanimous approval. Before buying anything, from vehicles to kitchen knives, customers may read a profusion of evaluations and comments. That isn’t the case with inexpensive, waterproof Bluetooth speakers. For years, my recommendation has been to acquire the JBL Flip if you want a speaker that you can take to the beach and won’t break the budget.
Pros
- Simple design
- Good sound quality
- Excellent sound
- 11 color options
- Able to pair multiple JBL speakers
- Waterproof
- Long battery life excellent sound
- Fast USB-C charge
Cons
- No speakerphone or voice assistant
- Not the strongest bass
- No 3.5mm input
JBL Flip Essential
The Flip Essential is a budget-friendly version of the Flip range. The price difference between the Essential and the Flip 5 is, however, insufficient to make the Essential a good deal.The developing world is one of the most important target markets for Bluetooth speakers.
The growing demand for good-sounding yet affordable Bluetooth speakers prompted the JBL team to create the Flip Essential, a more cost-effective version of the well-known Flip series with only essential capabilities, as the name suggests.
If you want to choose a speaker from the JBL Flip line-up, you may have a difficult time because the products are quite similar. The new Flip 5 and Essential are on the market, while the previous Flip 4 model is still accessible in many retailers. The Flip 5 is the largest device, followed by the Flip 4, which is somewhat smaller, and the Essential, which is the smallest. Accordingly, the Flip 5 is the most expensive of the three, while the Flip 4 and the Essential are almost the same prices.
Aside from the speaker, the only other item provided in the box is a micro-USB cord, which is also the case with the other Flip models.
Pros
- Battery life
- Bluetooth range
- Affordable
- 5mm audio input
- Waterproof
Cons
- No micro usb
- 1 bluetooth version
JBL Essential vs JBL Flip 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Balanced sound in the compact size. Good build quality as well rugged. Perfect for outdoor use. Rich's bass. | Bluetooth 4.2 Not compatible with voice control. |
Design: JBL Essential vs JBL Flip 5
Flip 5
Fortunately, the Flip 5’s design allows you to flaunt its abilities practically everywhere. Its compact yet durable Flip 5 weighs half a kg / one pound and is the size of a small thermos flask. It may be simply carried in one hand, tucked into a purse, or hung on a door handle in a bedroom or a tree in a park owing to the shoelace strap.
Have you already imagined your new portable speaker providing music for your summer picnic? Know that the weather would have to be addressed to save your food, but not this speaker. Its IPX7 waterproof rating implies it can be submerged for up to 30 minutes in water up to a meter deep.
The passive bass radiators at each end are sufficiently inserted into the tubular housing to easily prevent them from being damaged, even if we would be careful to pull them into a bag with sharp or pointy items.
However, we doubt JBL receives any returns for faulty speakers during the guarantee period. The Flip 5, like so many of its JBL lookalikes, is well-made, flawlessly finished, and very easy to use, with to a simple button layout and useful battery indication.
JBL Flip Essential
The Flip Essential is inspired by the design of one of the earlier generations of Flip, the Flip 3, but due to some functionality being reduced, some buttons are missing on the Flip Essential.
The gray color appears to be consistent and does not stick out. The device is protected from fall damage by the rubberized corners and rear panel. A wire loop may be attached to your Flip Essential, just like the other Flip models, allowing you to carry the speaker with one hand.
The majority of the speaker is covered in a sturdy cloth that will not get broken over time. The Flip Essential kinda has the same design as the Flip 3 and 4, with two 40mm speakers from the Flip 4 and the round shape on the corners and older Bluetooth standard from the Flip 3.
It features the same IPX7 water resistance as the Flip 5, which we shall discuss in greater detail below. The charging connector still uses the outdated micro-USB standard rather than the USB Type-C found on the Flip 5, thus it takes an hour longer to charge than the Flip 5.
The Flip Essential, on the other hand, retains the AUX connector in case you wish to use your speaker with a computer or other device that does not support Bluetooth.
Music control and other features: JBL Essential vs JBL Flip 5
Flip 5
The Flip 5 is somewhat larger and heavier than Flip 4, but the change is barely noticeable. The new driver with a racetrack shape is 4mm wider, 44mm wider, 40mm wider, with a 20W amplification on the Flip 5, so you will have additional 4W power over the Flip 4 as well.
.JBL has chosen not to include an AUX connection for hardwiring a smartphone or other audio device, as well as a built-in microphone for hands-free calls and Siri and Google Assistant activation.
Reviewers put the JBL to the test by soaking it in water for a few minutes. The music continues to play throughout, and when we pull it out, it quickly fades. Nothing has been jeopardized, and everything is in working order.
Although JBL states that you may stand the Flip 5 on one of its ends or lay it lengthwise for listening, it does not stand completely vertical when upright. We set it up in landscape mode for testing so that both passive bass radiators are exposed to the elements.
The Flip 5 is really portable, and the wrist strap fits snugly over our hand and the controls are immediately accessible while it’s in our palm.
Aside from a charging indication next to the Flip 5’s lone connector, the device has light-up power and Bluetooth buttons along its rubberized spine, as well as a play/pause button, volume controls, and a PartyBoost button on top.
JBL Flip Essential
On the grille, unlike the Flip 5, the Flip Essential only has play/pause, volume up, volume down, Bluetooth and power on/off controls, as well as the power button on the opposite side. There is no Connect+ / PartyBoost button available for connecting several devices together. but it can be found on the other models.
The volume up and down buttons may be touched once for precise volume control or held down for extra ease in maxing out the volume or muting the speaker, and the play button can be double-tapped to skip the song.
It has the ability to be used wirelessly and more mobility using a wireless gadget. It also supports a remote smartphone therefore users will be able to use their smartphone as a remote control for the gadget with this technology.
Voice commands are available, and you may use your voice to manage important device tasks. You can also effortlessly use your device without pressing any buttons. There are voice prompts. With voice prompts, you’ll get information in the form of audio messages – for example, you’ll learn that the battery is low and that it’s time to charge the device.
Waterproof: JBL Essential vs JBL Flip 5
Jbl Flip 5
JBL claims that the Flip 5 has an IPX7 grade that is waterproof. This indicates that you can immerse yourself in water for 30 minutes at a depth of one meter. The USB-C charging connector is not covered, and although it is washable, no beach salt or sand is tested.
Reviewers put the JBL to the test by soaking it in water for a few minutes. The music continues to play throughout, and when we pull it out, it quickly fades. Nothing has been jeopardized, and everything is in working order.
JBL Flip Essential
The Flip Essentials has the same IPX7 waterproof rating as the Flip 5, allowing it to be used underwater for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter (3ft 3in). The charging port is protected from water damage by a rubber flap that covers it.
Although the flap is composed of robust rubber and does not degrade rapidly, we recommend opening the charging port only when absolutely essential to ensure waterproofness, as the flap loosens over time.
The IPX7 rating also implies that you can use the speaker in dusty environments without fear of it being damaged.
Connectivity and Bluetooth: JBL Essential vs JBL Flip 5
JBL Flip Essential
The device uses the Bluetooth 4.1 protocol, which allows for a range of roughly 30 meters. There were no hiccups in the playback, and there were no glitches. Although you can connect numerous phones to the speaker at the same time, the speaker will only play music from one of them at a time.
The Flip 3’s speakerphone, which was used to make hands-free calls and for the voice assistant, is now missing. We discovered that the manufacturer’s claim of up to 10 hours was only valid when listening at up to 30% of full volume.
The speaker had over 6 hours of playback time at a comfortable 50-55 percent listening loudness. The speaker, on the other hand, gets about 3 hours of playing at full power.
JBL Flip 5
Another thing to note is that, unlike previous JBL speakers, the Flip 5 does not contain a microphone for making phone calls or sending commands to a voice assistant, thus it cannot be used as a Bluetooth speakerphone. This may be a concern for some, as prior models were ideal for making phone conversations around a table while on vacation, allowing everyone to hear and be heard simultaneously. I’m not sure why JBL decided to remove this feature, although it could be related to the IPX7 waterproof rating.
To connect the Flip 5 to a smartphone, just press the Bluetooth button on the back of the speaker and look for the JBL Flip 5 in your smartphone’s Bluetooth control list of discoverable devices. You only have to do this once, and then the Flip 5 will look for your smartphone and connect to it by releasing an audible chime to let you know it’s ready to use. Although this may not concern many people, JBL has chosen to remain with the older Bluetooth 4.2 version rather than the more recent 5.0.
The sound of the Flip 5 has been upgraded with more bass and a cleaner treble. The overall output is 20W, and the frequency response ranges from 65 Hz to 20kHz. The sound enhancement is incremental rather than revolutionary, but it is significant and closer to the Flip 3 than the Flip 4. Given the speaker’s size, it’s a meatier sound that’s robust and forceful. It’ll never be as powerful as a boombox, but it’ll be enough for a small poolside party, picnic, or hearing to a podcast.
Sound performance: JBL Essential vs JBL Flip 5
Jbl Flip 5
The JBL Flip 5 has a simple soul – perhaps too plain for some – but that simplicity has allowed JBL to focus on performance and develop one of the best-sounding affordable portable speakers on the market.
That on-paper promise comes true in practice as well. The Flip 5, like a mutt with small-dog syndrome, demands to be heard (the difference being that you’ll want to hear it).
Whether it’s Mac Miller’s languid-yet-sharp rapping or Explosions in the Sky’s post-rock instrumentalism, the JBL delivers it with razor-sharp clarity, a smattering of detail, and a touch of dynamics.
We’d be surprised how clear and melodious this inconspicuous small speaker sounds if we weren’t so familiar with JBL’s audio quality. Instead, we’re reminded of it in a pleasant way. Both the hollow baseline and crisper percussion come through thick, quick, and defined, making it nearly impossible to critique the speaker’s low-end performance.
The similarly intriguing voices that wash over the electronica come through with clarity and precision, and each piece in the mix appears to fit together just right thanks to the Flip 5’s spaciousness and rhythmic intuition.
JBL Flip Essential
The Flip Essential features a sound profile that is comparable to that of the other Flip models, and it offers balanced sound without noticeable distortions that is enjoyable to listen to.
In a straight comparison, though, the Flip 5 is clearly the more advanced speaker because its sound is broader, with deeper lows and more bass. As a result, the reduced price and smaller dimensions are reflected in the sound quality.
Even when comparing the Essential to the earlier Flip 4, we found that this was the case. The Essential featured the most basic sound of the three.
Key Differentiators: JBL Essential vs JBL Flip 5
The Essential is the smaller variant, as the name implies. However, this does not necessarily imply that the JBL Flip 5* is the superior option for you. The JBL Flip Essential* is a combination of the two predecessors, the JBL Flip 3 and 4. The appearance is similar to that of the third generation. This is a fourth-generation loudspeaker.
Life of the battery
The next distinction is with the battery. The JBL Flip 5 has a 4800 mAh battery with 12-hour battery life. The JBL Flip Essential comes in second with a 3000 mAh battery and a 10-hour battery life.
Dimensions, weight, and height
The JBL Flip Essential shares a lot of visual similarities with the JBL Flip 5. The traditional JBL Flip design is visible. The JBL Flip Essential, on the other hand, is significantly smaller and less in weight:
JBL Flip 5- 18.1 x 6.9 x 7.4 cm / 540 g
JBL flip essential- 6.4 x 16.9 x 6.4 cm / 470 g
Bluetooth
Both loudspeakers, of course, are Bluetooth-enabled and can thus play music wirelessly. The version, however, has some differences. The JBL Flip 5 comes with Bluetooth 4.2, while the JBL Flip Essential comes with Bluetooth 4.1. This, in my perspective, is not a major change in terms of usability.
Waterproof
Both JBL speakers are labeled with the same IPX7 rating. Both speakers are therefore waterproof up to a depth of one meter. This isn’t a really impressive ranking. Even using the pool later can be problematic. Nonetheless, the company uses it to promote the items.
JBL Connect Plus
JBL Connect Plus is a significant distinction between the two speakers. Only the fifth generation has this. This feature is not available on the JBL Flip Essential. As a result, other speakers cannot be connected to the Flip Essential. A function that, in my opinion, is irrelevant to many people.
Sound quality
The JBL Flip Essential is equipped with two 8-watt speakers. The JBL Flip 5 includes a single 20 Watt speaker. As a result, the total power of the JBL Flip 5 is slightly higher.
Winner: JBL Flip 5 is clearly the winner here for its better sound quality, upgraded Bluetooth feature, and superior battery life.
Alternative Products
JBL charge 4
You wouldn’t know it from looking at the JBL Charge 4, but it’s one of the sweetest-sounding sub-£200 Bluetooth speakers available.
Pros
- Good build
- Rugged and water-resistant
- Gets loud
- Long battery life
- Can charge your portable devices
- USB-C charging
- Plenty of color options
Cons
- Perhaps too subtle for some
- Slightly bigger and heavier than the previous model
JBL charge 5
The new JBL Charge 5 is the newest model in JBL’s iconic line of Bluetooth speakers, offering improved connectivity and a more rugged design.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Can charge your portable devices
- Built-in USB charging port
- Plenty of color options
- Silicon bumpers
- Dustproof and waterproof design
- Can charge your portable devices
- Racetrack-shaped driver
- Fuller sound
Cons
- Not directional sound
Verdict: Which of the two speakers is the best?
Which JBL Flip is the better option for you? Of course, it varies depending on your circumstances. Is this a new purchase or a change you’d like to make? As a result, I’ve divided this question into two parts. It also depends on your requirements.
Author’s Pick: JBL Flip 5
The better speaker is the JBL Flip 5. It does, however, come at a higher price. Buy the JBL Flip Essential* if you don’t require JBL Connect Plus. I even consider the reduced size to be advantageous in terms of transportation.
The form factor and weight are significant differences. Both gadgets are equipped with 2 x 8 watts of power. Aside from that, both are IPX7 certified. The Bluetooth version has a minor variation. Version 4.2 is available for the JBL Flip 4, while version 4.1 is available for the JBL Flip Essential.
If you own a JBL Flip 3, upgrading is a no-brainer. You should make your decision as if you were making a new buy. In both circumstances, you will receive significantly more. The JBL Flip Essential* is the finest option if you have a limited budget. For a few euros more, the JBL Flip 5* delivers you additional power and battery life.
FAQs
If you still have some questions to be answered, check out this section.
Is the JBL Flip crucial worth the money?
For the price, the JBL Flip Essential is an excellent piece of equipment. The sound is amazing for all sorts of music, it’s simple to connect, it has a decent battery, and it has a lot of power for its size.
Is it possible to overcharge a JBL speaker?
Yes, you should overcharge and it will stop charging when the battery reaches 100%. To stop any memory, it’s usually best to detach the battery when using the speaker and let it charge entirely before reconnecting it.
Is it safe to use the speaker when it’s being charged?
Yes, really. Instead of using the USB AC adaptor, you should use the battery to power your Bluetooth amplifier. To complete this task, simply connect the USB AC adaptor to an alternating current outlet.
Is the JBL Flip super loud?
The JBL Flip Essential is a portable speaker that is ultra-compact and waterproof, with surprisingly strong sound and a long list of functions. Dual passive radiators on the outside produce strong, ear-catching JBL sound that echoes loud and clear, enabling you to hear, feel, and see the bass.
Hi, my name is Afnan Bin Ibrahim, and I’m an aspiring freelance writer. Read more
