JBL Flip 5 Vs. Bose SoundLink Flex: Which One Should You Buy?

Portable speakers are one of the most significant audio devices that allow the flexibility of partying wherever you go. Many brands tend to provide fantastic portable speakers, and they sure do an excellent job nowadays. JBL and Bose are some of the most incredible brands out there when it comes to speakers; they always provide cutting-edge products.

In this article, I will compare the two speakers, JBL Flip 5 and Bose Soundlink Flex. I am looking forward to this comparison because I cannot predict who will be the victor since they both have so much to offer and are equipped with intriguing features. So, let’s get down to business.

Introducing The Speakers

Let me first introduce the speakers and make an overall review of them. This will be better because you will get some essential information about the speakers and prepare for the comparison part, which will be challenging.

JBL Flip 5 – Short Review

When we think of a great portable speaker, the first brand that comes to our mind is JBL, without any doubt. JBL is amongst the best brands in the audio industry. The Flips series was simply a new era of portable speakers. The JBL Flip 5 was launched on April 9, 2019, and is an upgraded version of its predecessors. This speaker has so much to offer and is equipped with many features.

The JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth speaker is waterproof, so you can take it to the beach or a pool and enjoy your time there. This speaker has all that you want and even more. No worries, guys, this is not all. There are many other crucial features to discuss with this speaker, so this is the reason why you should keep reading this article.

Bose Soundlink Flex – Short Review

I am sure all of you are familiar with Bose since it is a fantastic brand that provides top-notch audio devices. Nothing different with the Bose Soundlink Flex; the company did a tremendous job. The Bose Sondlink Flex is one of the most outstanding devices when considering a well-built, high-quality portable Bluetooth speaker.

The Bos Soundlink Flex is a state-of-art speaker; it is waterproof and dustproof, so you can take it wherever you want. It has a sturdy build to withstand harsh conditions as well. This speaker is packed with exclusive and innovative technologies and many intriguing features that most of you will find immersive. There’s really not much to complain about this speaker.

JBL Flip 5 Vs. Bose Soundlink Flex – Head-to-Head Comparison

Now, it’s time for a serious discussion. In this section, you will read the comparison between JBL Flip 5 and Bose Soundlink Flex. It will be challenging, but I am a bit more confident now because I will compare two portable speakers from different brands this time, which is way easier than comparing two products from the same brand. I am curious to see who will be the winner, and I am sure that most of you feel the same way as I do. Now, let’s see what these two products have to offer.

Key Specifications

JBL Flip 5

Dimensions: 7.1 x 2.7 x 2.9 inches

Weight:  1.2 pounds

Frequency Response: 65 Hz – 20k Hz

Battery life: Up to 12 hours

Bose Soundlink Flex

Dimensions: 2.06 x 7.93 x 3.56 inches

Weight:  1.75 pounds

Frequency Response: not specified

Battery life: Up to 12 hours

Design and Built Quality

I always start describing the speaker’s design and built quality because I think that the built quality of a speaker has a lot of impact on the overall worth of a product. The JBL Flip 5 has a sturdy build, and the material used in the speaker’s construction is plastic. It is very durable and can withstand many harsh conditions. The speaker has a cylindrical shape, and you can place it vertically or horizontally, which is all up to you. It includes a strap that indicates how portable this speaker is. It is worth mentioning that this speaker is IPX7 rated, which means that it is water resistant; it also includes a built-in microphone, which is a unique feature of this speaker. It is very easy to operate the speaker due to its perfectly built controls and buttons. You will notice the Party boost button as well. This button lets you link with other Party boost speakers as well.

The Bose Soundlink Flex has impressive built quality and design. This is a small and lightweight speaker. It possesses a built-in strap, so you can carry it wherever you want. The speaker has a stylish design and is covered by silicone rubber. The front and rear of this speaker are made of steel grille, which also protects the drivers. These all indicate that this speaker is very durable. The Bose Soundlink Flex is IP67 rated; it is dustproof and waterproof as well. This speaker has a built-in microphone, so you can also take or make calls. It is also equipped with the Connect app, which helps the speaker to access your phone’s Siri or google assistant. Let me mention that you will efficiently operate with this speaker; it has simple controls.

Battery Life

Both speakers have remarkable battery life. Both the JBL Flip 5 and Bose Soundlink Flex can last up to 12 hours. The time that this speaker requires to be fully charged in 2.5 hours due to its Type-C charging port. When it comes to Bose Soundlink Flex, unfortunately, it needs more time to be fully charged when compared to the JBL Flip 5. The time that Bose Soundlink Flex needs is 4 hours.

Connectivity

The JBL 5 portable speaker supports Bluetooth 4.2 for connection, which can be paired simultaneously with two devices. The connection of the speaker is excellent, and you won’t face any issues regarding connectivity. This speaker is not wired, so you can’t use cables to connect it to any device.

The Bose Soundlink Flex is not equipped with AUX input, so you cant connect this speaker to any device by using cables. The Bose Soundlink Flex supports Bluetooth 4.2 version connection, the same as the JBL Flip 5. 

Sound Quality

The JBL Flip 54 has a great overall sound quality, but there is something I have to mention as a drawback. This speaker lacks the low-bass, but the mid-range is perfect. You can hear the vocals and instruments very clearly. Let me note that this speaker has a great soundstage as well, and the dynamics are OK.

The Bose Soundlink Flex sound quality is perfect. It has a well-balanced sound, and everything is very accurate. The mid-range and highs are well expressed. The high bass sounds good, and it gives warmth to the sound. This speaker has some issues with producing low bass as well, but you can’t expect something more from a small speaker.

Final Words and Conclusion

This is all I have to say about the JBL Flip 5 and Bose Soundlink Flex. They both bring so much to the table which also makes them great portable speakers. Which one you will choose depends on your demands. I can’t state a winner in this case, but I prefer the Bose Soundlink Flex as per my preferences.

I hope you will like this article and find value in it.

Have a nice day!

Further Reading

I frequently experience problems with my earbuds abruptly disconnecting; let’s explore the causes and try to find a solution. This is not the only problem that can arise with your earbuds; you may also notice that one of the earbuds being louder than the other; I’m very interested in the causes and solutions to both of these issues.

Here are some more resources you may look at while I’m talking about earbuds if you want to learn why your ears itch when wearing headphones and how to stop your earphones from slipping out, which is really irritating.