Last 2019, JBL released the JBL Flip 5 which was notably one of the best portable speakers back then, but how does the JBL Flip 5 stand up against the new JBL Flip 6 and other competitors?
Although the JBL Flip 5 is almost 2 years old, you would be very impressed to know that this speaker doesn’t sound that different from its successor at all. In fact, the JBL Flip 5 is even better than some of the 2023 Bluetooth speakers now. The amazing sound quality, portability, and durability definitely make up for it.
But for you to be totally sure of making a purchase decision, here is everything you need to know about the JBL Flip 5 first.
Table of Contents
JBL Flip 5 Overview
| Pros of the JBL Flip 5 | Cons of the JBL Flip 5 |
|---|---|
| Cheaper in 2023 | No 3.5 mm Audio Jack |
| Many Color Options Available | |
| Comes with a Hard Styrofoam Carrying Case | |
| Can be Connected by 2 Devices at the Same Time | |
| IPX7 Waterproof Rating | |
| 20 Watts | |
| Decent Mids and Highs | |
| Powerful Bass | |
| USB C Charging | |
| 12 Hours of Playtime |
View JBL Flip 5 Price on:
Get the JBL Flip 5 if you are looking for a budget speaker that is portable, durable, and excellent-sounding. You can’t go wrong with the JBL Flip 5 since it is fully capable of standing up against its successor despite being almost 2 years old.
Design
The JBL Flip 5 has that classic red JBL emblem embedded at the front of the speaker. 95% of the JBL Flip 5’s body is covered in strong fabric so that this speaker can withstand constant abuse such as accidental drops, scrapes, and bumps.
It is also worth mentioning that the JBL Flip 5 comes with a hard styrofoam carrying case. Although the JBL Flip 5 is already portable itself, the carrying case included is commendable especially since the latest JBL Flip 6 does not come with one.
Overall, the JBL Flip 5 still has the same durable body as both the JBL Flip 4 and JBL Flip 6.
When it comes to colors, the JBL Flip 5 comes in 10 colors which are the following:
- Teal
- Sand
- Mustard Yellow
- Matte Black
- Green
- Pink
- Gray
- Red
- Blue
- Camouflage
In addition to that, you also have the option to customize your own design or colors if you order the JBL Flip 5 at JBL’s website.
In terms of dimensions, the JBL Flip 5 has a height of 7.1 inches and a width of 2.7 inches. On top of that, the JBL Flip 5 weighs 1.2 pounds.
Speaker Buttons
The JBL Flip 5 has 6 buttons which means it is fairly easy to navigate. Below are the buttons of the JBL Flip 5:
- Power Button
- Bluetooth Button
- Volume Up Button
- Volume Down Button
- Pause and Play Button
- JBL Party Boost Button
JBL Party Boost Button
The JBL Party Boost button is the upgraded version of the JBL Connect Plus which means you can connect the JBL Flip 5 with other JBL speakers that have JBL Party Boost which is the following speakers:
- JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Xtreme 3
- JBL Charge 5
- JBL Pulse 4
- JBL Flip 6
- JBL Flip 5
Battery
In terms of battery life, the JBL Flip 5 has a 4,800 mAh battery which is the same as the JBL Flip 6.
The JBL Flip 5 has an advertised battery life of 12 hours which is only achievable if you play the speaker at 50% volume or lower.
For normal use cases with the JBL Flip 5 set at 80% volume, you are going to get around 7-8 hours of playtime which is still decent.
A major upgrade of the JBL Flip 5 from the JBL Flip 4 is its charging port because the JBL Flip 5 charges via a USB C port which is much faster and more convenient than the Micro USB port on the JBL Flip 4.
However, the USB C port on the JBL Flip 5 is strictly used for charging only which means you cannot use this port as a wired connection.
The JBL Flip 5 takes approximately 2.5 hours to fully charge from a dead battery which is pretty fast when you ratio its playing time to its charging time.
Keep in mind that the watts or power on your charger will depend on how fast you can charge the JBL Flip 5.
→ Read: Flip 5 vs Flip 6
Bluetooth Version
The JBL Flip 5 utilizes Bluetooth 4.2 which is pretty average in 2023 but nonetheless, it has good connectivity and range.
You can expect little to no delays at all from this speaker when you are watching videos or movies. But unlike its predecessors, the JBL Flip 5 does not have a 3.5 mm audio jack.
Although it is not much of a big deal for some, there are people out there who prefer to have a 3.5 mm audio jack on their speaker for a wired connection.
The JBL Flip 5 can be connected by 2 devices simultaneously so that you and your friend can take turns playing music.
When it comes to the audio codec, the JBL Flip 5 is strictly using SBC which is standard among other JBL speakers.
Waterproof Rating
The JBL Flip 5 utilizes an IPX7 waterproof rating which means this speaker is not afraid of water at all even if you accidentally drop this speaker on the pool.
The IPX7 waterproof rating allows the JBL Flip 5 to be capable of being submerged in waters of 1-meter depth for 30 minutes.
Although the IPX7 rating does not come with dust protection, it is still very commendable in 2023.
Speaker Specifications
When it comes to the speaker setup of the JBL Flip 5, the JBL Flip 5 has a single frontward-firing transducer speaker and dual passive radiators that shoot from the sides.
The JBL Flip 5 is a 20-watt speaker which is average for this size. But, the sound of the JBL Flip 5 is definitely impressive when you set it at high volumes because this speaker can get very loud.
Sound
The sound of the JBL Flip 5 is balanced with the mids and highs reaching decent levels and the bass is sufficient.
The JBL Flip 5 definitely has no problems playing any kind of music genre. This speaker has a great sound stage as well despite its size.
Compared to the JBL Flip 6, the JBL Flip 5 does lack a little in highs but the difference is hard to tell. This just proves that the JBL Flip 5 can still stack up against the JBL Flip 6 even though the JBL Flip 5 is almost 2 years old.
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that the JBL Flip 5 is still a great speaker in 2023. Although some of its features are outdated, the JBL Flip remains one of today’s best budget wireless speakers.
View JBL Flip 5 Price on:
Get the JBL Flip 5 if you are looking for a budget speaker that is portable, durable, and excellent-sounding. You can’t go wrong with the JBL Flip 5 since it is fully capable of standing up against its successor despite being almost 2 years old.
With the combination of excellent sound, portability, durability, and a cheap price, the JBL Flip 5 is still very worth considering in 2023.
If you want a speaker for your travels but you are on a budget, then I highly recommend getting the JBL Flip 5!
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