Wireless speakers are, for many people (myself included) an essential accessory for going to the beach, to the pool or on a rural weekend. And if there is a leading brand in sound technology that I trust, it’s JBL. But how do we know which of all the JBL speaker ranges and models is the most suitable? That’s what I try to answer in this review, in which I compare the JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Flip 6 wireless speakers. Do you want to know how they are similar and what the differences are? Here we go!
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JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Flip 6: What are the highlights of each speaker?
Not all speakers are the same, even if they are from the same company. That’s why the first thing I want to do is tell you what the most representative qualities of each one are in this section.
JBL Charge 5 – Ample power to boost the sound
The JBL Charge 5 has a sleek, modern design that is available in a variety of colours. It also has an integrated carrying handle that makes it easy to carry. In terms of sound, it delivers a powerful, clear and balanced sound thanks to its 40W RMS output and dual passive radiators.
It has a 7500mAh battery that can provide up to 20 hours of playback on a single charge. It also has a USB port that allows you to charge your devices. Moving on to connectivity, the JBL Charge 5 is Bluetooth 5.1 compatible, allowing it to connect wirelessly to any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops.
The speaker is IP67 water and dust resistant, which means it can withstand immersion in water up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. It is also rugged and durable, making it ideal for outdoor use. It features a PartyBoost function that allows you to connect multiple JBL PartyBoost compatible speakers to create a bigger sound.
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JBL Flip 6 – A perfect size to take with you on the road
Let’s start by talking about design, and we see that the Flip 6 is a speaker very similar to the Charge 5. It has a sleek, cylindrical design that is available in a variety of colours. It also has a fabric strap that makes it easy to carry when you’re on the move.
The JBL Flip 6 delivers clear and powerful sound with its 20W RMS output and dual passive radiators. It is also PartyBoost compatible, allowing you to connect multiple JBL PartyBoost compatible speakers together to create a bigger sound. It has a 4800mAh battery that can provide up to 12 hours of playback on a single charge.
The speaker is IP67 water and dust resistant, which means it can withstand immersion in water up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. It is also rugged and durable, making it ideal for outdoor use. In addition, it supports voice assistant integration with Siri and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your music and other functions with your voice. The JBL Flip 6 supports Bluetooth 5.1, allowing it to connect wirelessly to any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops.
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JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Flip 6: The most noticeable differences
First of all, I’ll tell you what the main differences between these two speakers are:
Size and weight: The JBL Charge 5 is a larger and heavier speaker compared to the Flip 6. The Charge 5 weighs 1.8 kg and measures 22.3 x 9.7 x 9.4 cm, while the Flip 6 weighs 0.96 kg and measures 18.1 x 7.4 x 6.9 cm. The smaller size and lighter weight of the Flip 6 make it more portable and easier to carry.
Sound quality: The JBL Charge 5 has a slightly higher power output of 20 W RMS compared to the 16 W RMS of the JBL Flip 6. The Charge 5 also has a larger driver and dual passive radiators, which can provide a more powerful and fuller sound compared to the Flip 6.
Battery life: The JBL Charge 5 has a higher capacity 7500 mAh battery compared to the 4800 mAh battery of the Flip 6. This translates into longer battery life. This translates into longer playback time on a single charge: up to 20 hours for the Charge 5 and up to 12 hours for the Flip 6.
PartyBoost vs. Connect+: The JBL Charge 5 is compatible with JBL’s PartyBoost feature, which allows multiple PartyBoost-compatible speakers to be connected together to amplify the sound. The JBL Flip 6, on the other hand, supports JBL’s Connect+ feature, which is compatible with older JBL speakers that support this feature.
Charging port: The JBL Charge 5 uses a USB-C charging port, while the JBL Flip 6 uses a micro-USB charging port. USB-C provides faster charging times compared to micro-USB, which may be a consideration for some users.
JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Flip 6: What they have in common
Here are the most important similarities between the two JBLs:
Waterproof and durable: Both speakers are designed to be waterproof and durable, making them ideal for outdoor use. The Charge 5 is IP67 certified, which means it can be submerged in water up to 1 metre for up to 30 minutes, while the Flip 6 is IP67 certified and can also be submerged in water up to 1 metre for up to 30 minutes.
Bluetooth connectivity: Both speakers support Bluetooth connectivity, allowing them to easily connect wirelessly to any Bluetooth-enabled device such as smartphones, tablets and laptops.
Voice Assistant integration: Both speakers support voice assistant integration with Siri and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your music and other functions with your voice.
PartyBoost support: Both speakers are compatible with JBL’s PartyBoost feature, which allows you to connect multiple PartyBoost-compatible speakers together to amplify the sound.
Rechargeable battery: Both speakers have a built-in rechargeable battery, allowing you to take them with you wherever you go. In addition, both the Charge 5 and Flip 6 have a strap or handle for easy carrying.
Who would get the most out of each wireless speaker?
In reality, either speaker is ideal for anyone looking for audio quality and technology. However, if I had to specify, I would say that the JBL Charge 5 is more suited to people who tend to use the wireless speaker outdoors, as it has a higher sound power and plays music better in a swimming pool or in the countryside.
The JBL Flip 6, on the other hand, is recommended for those who prioritise ease of transport and portability over other aspects, as well as the cheaper price. It’s a great choice for music lovers on the go, those who go to the pool or beach, those looking for an affordable wireless speaker, those who prefer home entertainment, and those who want to set up audio in multiple rooms.
JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Flip 6: What’s my conclusion?
Personally, I’m going with the JBL Charge 5 because it’s a speaker with more sound power, and that’s the factor I place most importance on when buying this type of audio device. It is a little more expensive, but the difference is not so great that I would go for the cheaper speaker. In fact, if you get a good deal, it’s fairly easy to get the price between the two.
However, if you go for the JBL Flip 6, the choice will also be very good, as both are wireless speakers that come with the guarantee of a brand like JBL. And, apart from a few minor differences, they are quite similar in performance.
That said, choose which one suits your preferences best, and you’ll get a perfect wireless speaker.