JBL Flip 6 VS JBL Flip 5 – Which is Better?
By Robert Jones · 2022-02-28
Alright, let's sort out the JBL Flip 6 versus the Flip 5. I've had both knocking about the workshop, giving 'em a proper thrashing. Is the newer model really worth the extra quid, or is the old dog still got some fight? Let's see what's what.
Right, so you're eyeing up a portable speaker, probably for the garden, a picnic, or maybe just to shift tunes around the house without fuss. JBL's Flip series has been a staple in that market for years now. Good bits of kit, generally. But the big question always pops up when a new model hits the shelves: is it *really* an upgrade, or just a bit of a marketing push? We're talking about the JBL Flip 6 and the Flip 5 here. I've had both knocking about the workshop and the garden shed for a good while, put 'em through their paces, blasted everything from Bristol basslines to classical guitar through them. Let's see what the crack is. **Quick Verdict: The JBL Flip 6 is a worthwhile upgrade for sound quality and durability, especially if you can snag it for a decent price.**  *JBL Flip 6 VS JBL Flip 5 – Which is Better? — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## First Impressions: Unboxing and Feel When the Flip 5 first arrived, I was impressed by how solid it felt in the hand. That classic cylindrical JBL design, nice grippy fabric finish, and those exposed passive radiators on the ends – always a nice touch, giving you a bit of visual flair when the bass kicks in. It didn't feel cheap, which is a good start for something you're planning to chuck in a bag or hang from a backpack. The Flip 6, honestly, didn't feel dramatically different straight out of the box. And that's not a bad thing. If something ain't broke, don't fix it, eh? The size and weight are practically identical, which means they're both dead easy to carry around. I mean, they both fit snugly in a cupholder, if you're that way inclined. The fabric weave on the 6 feels perhaps a touch more premium, a bit tighter, but that might just be my imagination or the fact it's newer. The rubberised ends are still there, giving it some decent protection if it takes a tumble. One minor change I did notice on the Flip 6 was the new JBL logo – a bit bolder, perhaps, more modern. Not something that affects the sound, obviously, but it’s there. Both speakers are available in a decent array of colours, too, so you can pick one that doesn't offend your eyes. My Flip 5 is a rather fetching blue, whilst the Flip 6 I've got is a more subdued grey. ### The Build Quality: Ready for the Real World Durability is a massive factor with portable speakers. You're not buying these to sit on a shelf and gather dust, are you? They're for outdoor adventures, clumsy mates, and the occasional splash from a paddling pool. Both models feel tough. The Flip 5 was rated IPX7, meaning it could handle being submerged in up to a metre of water for 30 minutes. I’ve dropped mine in the bath once or twice (purely for scientific testing, you understand) and it came out singing. No worries there. That's a proper confidence booster when you're near the sea or the pub garden after a few too many pints. Now, the Flip 6 takes it up a notch. It's IP67 rated. That extra '6' means it's also dustproof. Now, for me, living in Bristol, dust isn't usually my primary concern unless I'm out in the Mendips hiking. But if you're taking this camping, to a building site, or anywhere sandy, that's a solid upgrade. It means the internals are better protected from grit and grime that could eventually cause issues. It's good to see JBL thinking about that broader use-case. It's reassuring, honestly. ## Getting Connected: Bluetooth and App Features Both the Flip 5 and Flip 6 are pretty straightforward when it comes to connecting. Bluetooth pairing is a doddle. Turn it on, hit the Bluetooth button, find it on your phone, done. No faffing about, which is exactly what you want from a portable speaker. The Flip 5 uses Bluetooth 4.2. Perfectly fine, solid connection for most uses. I've rarely had it drop out within a reasonable range, say 10 metres or so. The Flip 6, however, rocks Bluetooth 5.1. Now, this is one of those upgrades that might not sound huge on paper but can make a real difference in practice. You get a more stable connection, potentially better range (though that always depends on obstructions), and usually a bit more power efficiency, which ties into battery life. For most folks, just playing tunes from their phone in the garden, 4.2 is probably enough. But if you're in a busy area with a lot of wireless interference, or if you like to wander a bit further from your speaker, Bluetooth 5.1 is definitely a plus. I find the connection on the 6 feels just that bit snappier, a little more robust. Handy. ### The JBL Portable App: More Control, Less Guessing Both speakers work with the JBL Portable app (it used to be called JBL Connect, but they rebranded it). And this is where some of the magic happens, or at least where you get a bit more control. With the Flip 5, the app primarily lets you manage PartyBoost – that's JBL's tech for linking multiple compatible speakers together. You can pair two for stereo sound or link up to 100 (yes, 100!) for a proper party. I've only ever tried it with two, and it works a treat for filling a larger space. The Flip 6 brings a crucial addition to the app: an EQ. Finally! This is something I've been wanting from JBL for ages. On the Flip 5, you're stuck with the factory sound profile. It's generally well-tuned, but sometimes you just want a bit more bass, or to tame the treble a touch depending on the music or the acoustics of your space. With the Flip 6, you can tweak the bass, mids, and treble to your liking. It's not a full parametric EQ, but it's enough to make a noticeable difference and tailor the sound to your preference. This is a genuinely useful upgrade, especially for an audio engineer like myself who likes a bit of fine-tuning. I find myself using the EQ on the Flip 6 quite a lot. If I'm outside, I might dial up the bass a fraction to compensate for the sound dissipating into thin air. If I'm listening to podcasts, I might pull back the bass and boost the mids a bit for clearer vocals. It's a small thing, but it gives you more ownership over your sound. Big tick for the Flip 6 here. ## Battery Life: How Long Can the Party Go On? Battery life is a common concern with portable gear. Nobody wants their tunes cutting out halfway through a barbecue. Both the Flip 5 and Flip 6 promise up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge. And in my testing, that's pretty accurate, provided you're not blasting it at full volume constantly. At moderate listening levels, say around 50-60% volume, I was consistently getting between 10-12 hours from both. Pushing them to max volume will obviously drain them quicker – you're looking at more like 5-6 hours then. So, for a full day out, they both hold up well. Charging is via USB-C on both, which is brilliant. No messing about with old micro-USB cables, and it means you can use the same charger as your phone or laptop. Fast charging isn't specified, but they juice up in a couple of hours from flat. Pretty standard, really. No complaints on the battery front for either of them. They do what they say on the tin. ## The Nitty-Gritty: Sound Quality – Where the Rubber Meets the Road Alright, here we go. This is the bit that really matters, isn't it? All the fancy features in the world don't mean a thing if it sounds like a tin can full of bees. The Flip 5 set a pretty high bar for its size and price point. It's got a decent amount of punch, good clarity for vocals, and a surprisingly weighty bass for such a compact unit. It uses a single racetrack-shaped driver and two passive radiators. It sounds lively and engaging. When the Flip 6 came out, JBL talked about an all-new audio configuration. And you can tell. While the Flip 5 has that single driver, the Flip 6 introduces a separate tweeter in addition to an optimised racetrack-shaped woofer and the dual passive radiators. This is a significant change, and it pays off. ### The Flip 5's Sound Profile The Flip 5 has a warm, energetic sound. Bass is prominent and well-controlled for a speaker of its size, giving pop, hip-hop, and electronic music a good foundation. Mid-range is clear enough for vocals, though sometimes they can feel a touch recessed when the bass is really thumping. Treble is present but not overly bright, avoiding harshness. It's a very listenable sound, good for background music or smaller gatherings. It really fills a small room or a corner of the garden with decent sound. I've used my Flip 5 for countless garden parties, and it always gets the job done. It doesn't distort much even at higher volumes, though the bass response does tend to roll off a bit to protect the drivers. For £90-£100, it's a cracking little speaker. ### The Flip 6's Sound Profile: A Clear Step Up The moment I fired up the Flip 6, the difference was immediately apparent. That separate tweeter makes a world of difference. The soundstage feels wider, more open, and the detail in the higher frequencies is noticeably improved. Cymbals have more shimmer, acoustic guitars have more texture, and vocals just pop more. The bass on the Flip 6 feels tighter, more defined, and still delivers that satisfying thump JBL is known for. It doesn't just rely on sheer quantity; there's more quality there. The mid-range is clearer and more present, benefiting from the tweeter handling the highs. This means instruments and vocals don't get as muddy or lost, even in busy tracks. I played some of my go-to test tracks – 'Teardrop' by Massive Attack for the bass and atmosphere, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen for vocal layers and dynamics, and some jazz for instrument separation. The Flip 6 handled them all with more finesse than the Flip 5. The stereo imaging, even though it's a mono speaker technically speaking, feels more expansive thanks to that extra clarity. And when you pair two of them for stereo, oh boy, it's a proper treat. You get a much more immersive experience. The power output is slightly different too, though not hugely. The Flip 5 has 20W RMS, while the Flip 6 boasts 20W RMS for the woofer and 10W RMS for the tweeter, totalling 30W RMS. This extra power, particularly dedicated to the highs, contributes to that improved clarity and ability to push sound further without sounding strained. It just sounds bigger and more refined. For me, as someone who lives and breathes audio, this is the main reason to go for the Flip 6 if your budget allows. It's not just marginally better; it's a genuinely noticeable improvement in fidelity. ## PartyBoost: Linking Up for a Bigger Sound Both speakers feature JBL's PartyBoost technology. This is pretty clever stuff. You can connect multiple PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers together. Want stereo? Link two. Want to fill a whole house with sound or have a massive garden party? Link up to 100. (Again, I've only ever linked two, but the idea is there). It works reliably. Pairing is done through the app, or sometimes just by pressing the PartyBoost button on both speakers simultaneously. It's fantastic for spreading sound evenly, rather than having one speaker blasting in one spot. It really adds to the atmosphere. The good news is that the Flip 5 and Flip 6 are *both* PartyBoost compatible, so if you already own a Flip 5, you could grab a Flip 6 and link them up for an even better stereo experience. They'll play together nicely. However, it's worth noting that PartyBoost isn't compatible with older JBL Connect+ speakers (like the Flip 4). So if you're upgrading from an older model, bear that in mind – you'll need PartyBoost on all your speakers to link them up. But if you're buying new, or adding to an existing Flip 5 setup, you're golden. ## The Verdict: Which One Should You Buy? This is where it gets tricky, because a lot of it comes down to what you're after and how much dosh you've got in your pocket. Both are excellent portable speakers for their respective price points. ### JBL Flip 5 * **Pros:** * Excellent sound for its size and price. * Robust, IPX7 waterproof design. * Good battery life (12 hours). * USB-C charging. * PartyBoost compatible. * Often available at a lower price (£80-£100). * **Cons:** * No dustproofing. * Bluetooth 4.2 (older standard). * No EQ control in the app. * Sound can be a bit less refined than the Flip 6, especially at higher frequencies. ### JBL Flip 6 * **Pros:** * Significantly improved sound quality with dedicated tweeter. * IP67 dustproof and waterproof – genuinely more durable. * Bluetooth 5.1 for a more stable connection. * EQ control in the JBL Portable app – a real game-changer for customisation. * PartyBoost compatible. * Same great battery life and USB-C charging. * **Cons:** * More expensive than the Flip 5 (typically £120-£140). * Similar design, so not a huge visual departure. ### Comparison Table | Feature | JBL Flip 5 | JBL Flip 6 | | :------------------- | :--------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------- | | **Price (RRP)** | ~£100 | ~£140 | | **Drivers** | 1x Racetrack Woofer | 1x Racetrack Woofer, 1x Separate Tweeter | | **Power Output** | 20W RMS | 20W Woofer + 10W Tweeter (30W RMS total) | | **Frequency Resp.** | 65 Hz – 20 kHz | 63 Hz – 20 kHz | | **Bluetooth** | 4.2 | 5.1 | | **Water/Dustproof** | IPX7 (Waterproof only) | IP67 (Waterproof & Dustproof) | | **Battery Life** | Up to 12 hours | Up to 12 hours | | **Charging** | USB-C | USB-C | | **JBL App EQ** | No | Yes | | **PartyBoost** | Yes | Yes | | **Dimensions (cm)** | 18.1 x 6.9 x 7.4 | 17.8 x 6.8 x 7.2 | | **Weight** | 540g | 550g | ### Who it's for: * **JBL Flip 5:** * Anyone on a tighter budget who still wants excellent sound and JBL reliability. * Those who already own a Flip 5 and want to expand their PartyBoost system without spending much. * If you primarily listen to bass-heavy music and don't need absolute top-end clarity. * **JBL Flip 6:** * Anyone who prioritises sound quality and wants more detail and clarity. * Those who need extra durability (dustproofing is a big plus). * Listeners who like to tweak their sound with an EQ. * If you want the latest Bluetooth standard for better connectivity. * If you're building a new PartyBoost system from scratch and want the best sound from the get-go. ### Who should skip it: * **JBL Flip 5:** * If sound fidelity is your absolute top priority and you can afford the Flip 6. * If you frequently take your speaker to dusty environments. * If you really want to fine-tune your sound with an EQ. * **JBL Flip 6:** * If you're only upgrading from a Flip 5 and the extra cost isn't justified for your listening habits. * If you primarily use your speaker indoors in a clean environment and don't need dustproofing. * If you can find the Flip 5 at a significant discount and only need a basic, robust portable speaker. ## Practical Advice from an Old Hand Honestly, I've seen a fair few portable speakers come and go over the years. JBL has consistently delivered reliable, good-sounding kit. The Flip series is no exception. My biggest piece of advice with these kinds of speakers is to think about where and how you'll actually use it. If it's mostly for chilling in the garden, or taking on the odd camping trip, either of these will serve you well. The Flip 5 is still a fantastic speaker, especially if you can pick it up for around £80. That's a bargain for the performance. However, if you're a bit more discerning about your sound, or if you know you'll appreciate the extra clarity and the ability to tweak the EQ, the Flip 6 is worth the extra thirty or forty quid. That separate tweeter really does make a difference. And the dustproofing is a nice bonus if you're prone to dropping things in sand or taking them to rougher environments. Don't forget about PartyBoost either. If you're thinking of getting two speakers for stereo, it's a brilliant feature. I've found two Flips in stereo mode really elevate the experience, making it much more like a proper hi-fi setup, just portable. The soundstage expands, and you get proper instrument separation. Well worth considering if you're serious about your tunes on the go. ## FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered ### Q: Can the JBL Flip 6 connect to the Flip 4? A: No, sadly not. The Flip 6 uses PartyBoost technology, while the Flip 4 uses the older Connect+. They're not cross-compatible. You'll need PartyBoost-enabled speakers (like the Flip 5, Flip 6, Charge 5, Pulse 5, etc.) to link up. ### Q: Is the Flip 6 really louder than the Flip 5? A: Not dramatically louder in terms of raw decibels, but the Flip 6 sounds fuller and clearer at higher volumes due to its improved driver setup (the dedicated tweeter helps a lot). So it *feels* more powerful and less strained when cranked up. ### Q: Can I use the JBL Flip 6 as a speakerphone? A: Neither the Flip 5 nor the Flip 6 has a built-in microphone, so they can't be used for hands-free calls. If that's a must-have feature for you, you'd need to look at other portable speakers like the JBL Charge series or some of the older Flip models (Flip 4 had a mic, for example). ### Q: How long does it take to fully charge a JBL Flip 6? A: From completely flat, both the Flip 5 and Flip 6 typically take around 2.5 hours to fully charge using a standard 5V/3A (15W) USB-C charger. It's pretty quick and convenient. ### Q: Should I wait for the JBL Flip 7? A: That's always the million-dollar question, isn't it? JBL tends to release new Flip models every couple of years. The Flip 6 came out in late 2021. So, a Flip 7 might be on the horizon, but there's no official word yet. If you need a speaker now, I wouldn't wait. The Flip 6 is a very capable and well-rounded unit. Technology moves fast, but incremental updates are common. The Flip 6 was a decent jump, so the next might be more subtle. ## Final Word For my money, the JBL Flip 6 is the superior speaker. The audio improvements, particularly that dedicated tweeter and the ability to tweak the EQ in the app, make a genuine difference to the listening experience. Couple that with the added dustproofing and the newer Bluetooth standard, and it's a compelling package. However, the Flip 5 is still a cracking bit of kit, and if you find it at a significantly reduced price, it absolutely offers fantastic value. It's robust, sounds good, and does exactly what you need a portable speaker to do. If you're building a new system or simply want the best sound you can get from a compact JBL Flip, go for the 6. If your budget is tight, or you just need something reliable and punchy without the bells and whistles, the 5 will not let you down. Both are solid choices, but the Flip 6 just edges it for the discerning ear. Happy listening, whatever you go for!