JBL Flip Essential vs Charge 5

Name JBL Flip Essential JBL Charge 5
Image JBL Flip Essential JBL Charge 5
Type Medium Medium
MSRP $129.95 $179.95
Released 2020 2021
Availability Discontinued Available
Check price: Amazon Amazon
Speaker configuration
Audio channels 1.0 (mono) 1.0 (mono)
Woofers (or full range): 2× 40 mm 1× 52×90 mm
Tweeters: - 1× 0,75″
Subwoofers: - -
Audio specs & features
Watts RMS 16 W 40 W
Frequency range 80.0 Hz - 20 kHz 60.0 Hz - 20 kHz
Wireless stereo pairing? ❌ ✔ via app
Party mode? (mono) ❌ ✔ PartyBoost
Other (special) audio features? None None
Connectivity
Bluetooth version? 4.1 5.1
Wi-Fi? ❌ ❌
NFC? (for pairing) ❌ ❌
Radio? ❌ ❌
Audio inputs & outputs
Buit-in mic? (and function) ❌ ❌
Guitar/mic input? ❌ ❌
USB-A playback? ❌ ❌
3.5 mm AUX in? ✔ ❌
3.5 mm AUX out? ❌ ❌
Other in/outputs? ❌ ❌
Battery, power & charging
Battery? ✔ ✔
Battery life 10 hours 20 hours
Charge time 3.5 hrs 4 hrs
Battery capacity 11.1 Wh 27 Wh
Swappable battery? ❌ ❌
Charging port(s): Micro-USB USB-C
Powerbank function? ❌ Yes; 1× USB-A 10W
Buttons & controls
Sound mode button(s)? ❌ ❌
Sound effect buttons? ❌ ❌
Other (special) buttons? ❌ ❌
App? ❌ JBL Portable app
Voice assistant? ❌ ❌
Lights
Colored LEDS? ❌ ❌
Strobe LEDS? ❌ ❌
Size & weight
Size (cm H×W×D): 16.9×6.4×6.4 9.65×22.3×9.4
Size (inch H×W×D): 6.7×2.5×2.5 3.76×8.7×3.67
Weight (kg): 0.47 0.96
Weight (lbs): 1.0 2.11
Physical features
IP Code IPX7 IP67
Transportation method? In hand In hand
Color options: 1 color: Gray 6 colors
Other features? Loop/strap -
In the box
Charger/cables? USB-A to micro-USB USB-A to USB-C
Accessories? - -
More info
Model number JBLFLIPESSENTIAL JBLCHARGE5
User guide / manual Quick start guide Quick start guide
Official site link: JBL.com JBL.com
Check price & reviews
See price and reviews: Amazon Amazon
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Key differences

The JBL Flip Essential is lighter (0.47 kg vs 0.96 kg). The JBL Charge 5 costs $50 more ($179.95 vs $129.95), is newer (2021 vs 2020), is more powerful (40 W vs 16 W), lasts longer per charge (20 hours vs 10 hours) and has a larger battery (27 Wh vs 11.1 Wh).

Only on the JBL Flip Essential: 3.5 mm AUX in. Only on the JBL Charge 5: wireless stereo pairing (via app), party mode (PartyBoost), powerbank function (1× USB-A 10W) and app (JBL Portable app). Other differences: Bluetooth (4.1 vs 5.1), charging port (Micro-USB vs USB-C) and water resistance (IPX7 vs IP67).

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