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JBL Flip 6 Speaker Review

Tested using Methodology v0.8
Review updated Jan 26, 2024 at 01:29 pm
Latest change: Writing modified Oct 31, 2024 at 10:51 am
JBL Flip 6 Picture
6.4
Music
5.6
Videos/Movies
7.7
Podcasts
3.0
Voice Assistant
7.1
Outdoors

The JBL Flip 6 is the next generation of the JBL Flip 5. This portable Bluetooth speaker is available in many different colors to suit your style. It's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, and its removable carrying strap is handy if you want to bring it on the go. It's much more customizable than its predecessor since you can use the graphic EQ in the JBL Portable app to switch up its sound to your liking.

Our Verdict

6.4 Music

The JBL Flip 6 isn't bad for music. Out of the box, it reproduces voices and lead instruments with accuracy and detail, making it a great choice for most music genres. You can customize its sound with the graphic EQ and presets in the JBL Portable app. That said, given its size, it doesn't bring as much rumble in the low-bass as larger speakers on the market, nor does it get as loud.

Pros
  • Outstandingly portable.
  • Graphic EQ.
Cons
  • Doesn't get very loud.
  • Requires second unit for stereo audio.
5.6 Videos/Movies

The JBL Flip 6 isn't designed for watching movies, but if you pair it with your phone over Bluetooth to watch some videos, it can get the job done. Dialogue is clearly reproduced, so you can follow along with the action. There are some latency issues, so you'll likely notice lip-synching delays. Some apps can compensate for this differently, so your experience can vary.

Pros
  • Outstandingly portable.
  • Graphic EQ.
Cons
  • Lacks low-bass.
  • Doesn't get very loud.
  • Requires second unit for stereo audio.
7.7 Podcasts

The JBL Flip 6 is good for podcasts. Dialogue is accurately reproduced right out of the box, so it's easy to follow along with your favorite hosts. Since you can pair it with up to two devices at once, it's easy to switch between different audio sources, and its portable design means you can bring it with you from room to room as you listen.

Pros
  • Outstandingly portable.
  • Graphic EQ.
  • Multi-device pairing.
Cons
  • Doesn't get very loud.
3.0 Voice Assistant

The JBL Flip 6 doesn't support voice assistants.

7.1 Outdoors

The JBL Flip 6 is decent for outdoor use. It's well-built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. This small, lightweight speaker also comes with a removable carrying strap to help transport it when you're on the go. That said, its battery life only lasts just under six hours, so while it can last through an afternoon picnic, it'll need a recharge if you plan on partying into the night.

Pros
  • Outstandingly portable.
  • IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
Cons
  • Lacks low-bass.
  • Requires second unit for stereo audio.
  • 6.4 Music
  • 5.6 Videos/Movies
  • 7.7 Podcasts
  • 3.0 Voice Assistant
  • 7.1 Outdoors
  1. Updated Oct 31, 2024:

    We added a reference to the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) in the Frequency Response Accuracy box.

  2. Updated Oct 16, 2024: This review has been updated to mention the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus in the Frequency Response Accuracy section.
  3. Updated Oct 07, 2024: This review has been updated to mention the Anker Soundcore Select 2S in the Dynamics section.
  4. Updated Sep 27, 2024: This review has been updated to mention the Ultimate Ears BOOM 4 in the Batterysection.
  5. Updated Sep 20, 2024: This review has been updated to mention the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 in the Bluetooth section.
  6. Updated Aug 15, 2024: We've added a comparison between this speaker and the Beats Pill in App.
  7. Updated Jul 10, 2024: We've added a comparison between this speaker and the Sony ULT FIELD 1 in Battery.
  8. Updated Jun 20, 2024: We've added a comparison between this speaker and the Sonos Roam 2 in Voice Assistant.
  9. Updated Jan 26, 2024: Updated the review text for clarity. No changes in test results.
  10. Updated Jan 15, 2024: Added market comparison with the EarFun UBOOM L in the App box.
  11. Updated Aug 21, 2023: Updated the Portability picture for greater clarity and consistency between reviews.
  12. Updated Mar 08, 2023: Added market comparison with the JBL Pulse 5 to the Soundstage box.
  13. Updated Feb 03, 2023: No changes in test results, but updated the review text for clarity.
  14. Updated Sep 22, 2022: Added comparison to Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 in 'Battery' box.
  15. Updated Aug 03, 2022: Added comparison to Bushnell Wingman speaker in 'Portability' box.
  16. Updated Feb 10, 2022: Review published.
  17. Updated Feb 04, 2022: Early access published.
  18. Updated Jan 25, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
  19. Updated Jan 18, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  20. Updated Dec 25, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

This speaker comes in nine color variants: Black, Blue, Camo, Green, Gray, Pink, White, Teal, and Red. Plus, you can customize your own colorways to get a speaker that suits your style; you'll find this on JBL's website. We tested the Black variant, though we expect all color variants to perform similarly. You can find the labels for the model tested here, here, and here.

If you come across any other variants of this speaker, let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Speakers

The JBL Flip 6 is the next generation of the JBL Flip 5. It has a neutral-sound profile out of the box, and unlike its predecessors, you can customize its sound to your liking via the graphic EQ in the JBL Portable app. It's well-built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, certifying it to be fully dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. The JBL Flip 6 also supports PartyBoost, meaning you can connect it to PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers like the JBL Charge 5. You can't connect it to JBL Connect+ speakers like the JBL Flip 4. Also, unlike the Flip 4, it doesn't support voice assistants through your smartphone since it lacks a mic.

Check out our recommendations for the best JBL speakers, the best portable Bluetooth speakers, and the best golf cart speakers.

Beats Pill

The JBL Flip 6 and the Beats Pill are similarly-proportioned speakers. While they perform similarly in most areas, there are some key differences that can help you choose between them. The JBL is better-built, has better directivity and offers a graphic EQ in the companion app for additional sound customization. However, the Beats has the more balanced sound out-of-the-box, a longer battery life and features some voice assistant support via the Siri or Google Assistant capabilities of your smartphone. As a result, the JBL is a better fit for users that care about tuning the sound to their preferences and want more consistent sound from all angles. The Beats is a better choice for those that value voice assistant support and need the longer battery life for on-the-go use. 

JBL Flip 5

The JBL Flip 5 and the JBL Flip 6 are similar speakers. The Flip 5 can produce a slightly more extended low-bass than the Flip 6 out-of-the-box. It has a better battery performance, too. That said, the Flip 6 has a graphic EQ you can use to customize its sound profile. It's also better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it's fully dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes.

JBL Charge 5

The JBL Charge 5 and the JBL Flip 6 have different strengths. The Charge 5 can get slightly louder and produce a more extended low-bass out of the box. It also has a much longer battery life, though this can vary depending on your usage. However, the Flip 6 is smaller and has a removable carrying strap, making it a bit more portable than the Charge 5. It also has better directivity, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage.

JBL Flip 4

The JBL Flip 4 is more versatile than the JBL Flip 6. When placed horizontally, the Flip 4 can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It has a longer-lasting battery life and features an AUX input to wire your devices to the speaker. Also, it supports voice assistants through your smartphone. However, the Flip 6 has a graphic EQ to customize its sound profile to your liking. It's better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, certifying it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. It also has better directivity, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage. That said, the Flip 4 can only pair with JBL speakers that support JBL Connect+, while the Flip 6 can only pair with PartyBoost-compatible speakers.

Bose SoundLink Flex

The Bose SoundLink Flex is more versatile than the JBL Flip 6. The Bose supports voice assistants through your smartphone and is excellent at hearing your commands from afar and in noisier settings. It can also produce a deeper bass than the JBL and has a slightly longer-lasting battery life, though this varies depending on your usage habits. That said, the JBL's companion app comes with a graphic EQ to tweak its sound to your liking and offers a slightly wider-sounding soundstage.

JBL Charge 4

The JBL Flip 6 is a better speaker than the JBL Charge 4 overall. The Flip 6 is smaller and has a removable carrying strap to help transport it, making it more portable. It's better built and has a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box. You can even customize its sound to your liking, thanks to the graphic EQ featured in its companion app. The Charge 4 can produce a slightly more extended low-bass than the Flip 6. It has less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. It has a longer-lasting battery life of over 13 hours from a single charge, though this varies depending on your usage.

Marshall Emberton II

The Marshall Emberton II is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Flip 6 overall. The Marshall can produce a more extended low-bass and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. It also offers a wider-sounding soundstage and has a longer-lasting battery life of just over 22 hours. However, the JBL has less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio when the volume is maxed out. It also features a graphic EQ to tweak its sound to your liking.

Anker Soundcore Motion 300

The JBL Flip 6 and the Anker Soundcore Motion 300 are both good choices for listening on the go. The JBL can reproduce a better low-frequency extension, so you enjoy more bass in the mix. However, unlike the Anker, it has to downmix stereo content into mono. The Anker gets louder, too, with a longer-lasting battery life. Plus, it supports voice assistants through a paired smartphone, unlike the JBL.

Sonos Roam 2

Depending on your needs, you may prefer either the JBL Flip 6 or the Sonos Roam 2. While both Bluetooth speakers are small, lightweight, and easily transportable, the JBL offers more customizability via its companion app, allowing you to adjust the sound to suit your needs. It also supports multi-device pairing and has a slightly longer battery life. That said, if you need voice assistant support or are already integrated into the Sonos way of life, then the Sonos is worth considering. It has built-in Amazon Alexa and Sonos' own voice assistant. It also works on Wi-Fi and can be connected to other Sonos speakers in your setup.

Sony SRS-XE200

The JBL Flip 6 is a better speaker for audio quality than the Sony SRS-XE200. The JBL offers a better-balanced sound profile overall, making it great for listening to a wide variety of music genres. It has better directivity, resulting in a wider and more open-sounding soundstage. While it doesn't get as loud as the Sony, it has less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner-sounding audio at louder volume levels. It's also smaller, making it more portable. That said, the Sony is a more versatile speaker overall. It plays stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It has a longer-lasting battery life of over 14 hours. It supports voice assistants through your smartphone. It also produces a more extended low-bass than the JBL.

Ultimate Ears BOOM 3

The Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Flip 6. The Ultimate Ears has a fantastic immersive, open-sounding soundstage. It gets as loud as the JBL with less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volume levels. It also has a longer-lasting battery life making it better suited for long listening sessions. However, the JBL offers a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box and can produce a more extended low bass. It's a bit smaller in size, and you can pair it to up to two devices at a time, so you can easily switch between audio sources.

Sonos Roam/Roam SL

The Sonos Roam/Roam SL and the JBL Flip 6 have different strengths. The Sonos comes with a Trueplay room correction feature, though it's currently only available with iOS devices. With Trueplay enabled, it produces a more extended low bass than the JBL. It's Wi-Fi-compatible and offers fantastic voice assistant support with Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. It also supports Apple AirPlay. However, the JBL can get a bit louder than the Sonos with less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. Its sound is more customizable, thanks to the graphic EQ in its JBL Portable app. It can also be paired to up to two devices at once, which is handy when you need to quickly switch between audio sources.

JBL Xtreme 2

The JBL Xtreme 2 is a better speaker than the JBL Flip 6. The Xtreme 2 can produce a more extended low-bass than the Flip 6 and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It can get louder, with less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio during louder listening sessions. It also has a longer-lasting battery life of over 14 hours, though this varies depending on your usage habits. That said, the Flip 6 is better built and is smaller, making it more portable. It has better directivity, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage. It also has a graphic EQ to customize its sound to your liking.

JBL Xtreme 3

The JBL Xtreme 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Flip 6. The Xtreme 3 is a larger speaker that can get louder and produce a more extended low-bass than the Flip 6. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It also has a longer-lasting battery life, though this varies depending on your usage. The Flip 6 is smaller, making it easier to bring along when you're out and about. It also has better directivity, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage.

Marshall Emberton

The JBL Flip 6 is s a slightly better speaker than the Marshall Emberton, though they have different strengths. The JBL is better built and can get louder with much less compression present at max volume, so audio doesn't degrade as much as you bump up the volume. You can customize its sound to your liking, thanks to the graphic EQ in its companion app. You can also use its PartyBoost button to connect it to other PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers to create a stereo pair or when you want to amplify your audio across a larger area. That said, the Marshall can produce a slightly more extended low-bass than the JBL. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. It also has better directivity, resulting in a more spacious-sounding soundstage.

JBL Clip 4

The JBL Flip 6 is a better speaker than the JBL Clip 4. The Flip 6 can get louder than the Clip 4, has a better-balanced sound profile out of the box, and can produce a more extended low bass. You can tweak its sound to your liking using the graphic EQ in its companion app. You can also pair the speaker to two devices at once, which is handy when you need to quickly switch between audio sources. The Clip 4 is smaller and has a built-in carabiner clip, making it easier to transport on the go. When placed flat on its back with its logo facing upwards, its soundstage is perceived as more open and spacious-sounding.

EarFun UBOOM L

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Flip 6 or the EarFun UBOOM L. They're both portable Bluetooth speakers with similar designs but have different strengths. The JBL is better built, and its default sound is more even, which some users may prefer. It's more customizable, too, thanks to its graphic EQ. However, it doesn't support voice assistants like the EarFun.

JBL Pulse 5

Depending on your preferences, you may want either the JBL Flip 6 or the JBL Pulse 5. The Flip shines when it comes to sound quality—it has a more balanced sound right out of the box. It has more physical buttons, so it's easier to control. However, it doesn't have as good of a soundstage as the 360-degree Pulse and lacks the Pulse's eye-catching RGB lights.

Ultimate Ears BOOM 4

The JBL Flip 6 and the Ultimate Ears BOOM 4 are both compact, cylindrical speakers that can easily be carried around in a bag or large pocket. The key difference maker is that the Ultimate Ears features a 360 design that allows it to reproduce audio more consistently across different listening angles. It also has a much longer continuous battery life. For this reason, it's a better pick for most uses, including outdoor use. That said, the JBL features slightly more present bass and treble reproduction, which music lovers will appreciate.

Anker Soundcore Motion+

The Anker Soundcore Motion+ is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Flip 6 overall. The Anker can get louder and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It can produce a more extended low-bass than the JBL. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good. The JBL has a more neutral sound profile out of the box. It's better built and is smaller, making it easier to bring along with you on the go. It also comes with a removable carrying strap to help transport it.

Anker Soundcore 3

The JBL Flip 6 is slightly better than the Anker Soundcore 3, though they have different strengths. The JBL's default sound profile is better balanced, and the speaker can get slightly louder with less compression at max volume. It has better directivity, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage. It's better built, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be both dust-tight and immersible in a meter of water for 30 minutes. However, the Anker can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. With its 'Bass Up' feature enabled, it can produce a slightly more extended low bass than the JBL. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good.

Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3

The Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is a better speaker than the JBL Flip 6. The Ultimate Ears can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. It has better directivity, meaning you can hear your audio clearly from most angles. It also gets louder than the JBL, with less compression present at max volume, so audio quality doesn't degrade as much as you increase the volume. It has a longer-lasting battery life of almost 18 hours, making it suitable for longer listening sessions. You may prefer the JBL speaker's smaller and more portable design.

Anker Soundcore Flare 2

The Anker Soundcore Flare 2 is slightly better than the JBL Flip 6. With its 'Bass Up' feature enabled, the Anker can produce a more extended low-bass than the JBL. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono and has better directivity, resulting in a wider and more immersive-sounding soundstage. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good. However, the JBL is smaller and better-built, making it easier to bring outdoors with you. Its out-of-the-box sound profile is a bit better balanced, and it can get slightly louder than the Anker. You can also pair it to up to two devices at a time, which is handy when you need to quickly switch between audio sources.

Anker Soundcore Motion Boom

The JBL Flip 6 is better for most uses than the Anker Soundcore Motion Boom. While both speakers are similarly portable, the JBL is better built, has more intuitive controls, and features Bluetooth multi-device pairing. That said, the Anker can get louder and has some voice assistant support, although you'll need to rely on your smartphone's voice assistant and it often struggles to pick up your voice. The Anker does have a longer continuous battery life though, so it's better suited to weekend camping trips, where you won't be able to charge for a few days. 

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Flip 6, though they have different strengths. The Ultimate Ears is a stereo speaker that offers a much wider and more immersive soundstage performance. It gets about as loud as the JBL but with less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio quality when you blast your favorite songs. Its battery life of over 13 hours makes it better suited for longer listening sessions. If you like having more control over your speaker's sound profile, go for the JBL. It has a graphic EQ to customize its sound profile to your liking. It also produces a bass that's a touch deeper than the WONDERBOOM 3, but not by much.

Sony SRS-XB23

The Sony SRS-XB23 is slightly better than the JBL Flip 6, though they have different strengths. The Sony can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It has a longer-lasting battery life of over nine hours. It supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good. It also has lower Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices, making it better suited for watching movies and videos. That said, the JBL has a more neutral and balanced sound profile out of the box. It can get a bit louder with less compression present at max volume, so audio doesn't degrade as much as you increase the volume. It's also smaller, making it more portable.

Sony SRS-XB33

The Sony SRS-XB33 is a more versatile speaker than the JBL Flip 6, though they have different strengths. The Sony speaker can produce a more extended low-bass with its 'EXTRA BASS' and 'ClearAudio+' features enabled. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It has a longer-lasting battery life of over 12 hours, though this varies depending on your usage. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good. However, the JBL offers a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box. It offers a much more spacious and open-sounding soundstage. It's also smaller and easier to bring along with you on the move.

Sony ULT FIELD 1

The Sony ULT FIELD 1 and the JBL Flip 6 are both small, cylindrical portable speakers. Overall, they perform very similarly, with little to separate them. Both speakers can't play stereo content without downmixing to mono and can get similarly loud. While the Sony has a more balanced default frequency response, it has quite a bit more compression at max volume than the JBL. The Sony also has a slightly longer continuous battery life but takes double the time to fully recharge.

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 and JBL Flip 6 are both very portable speakers with different pros and cons, so the best one depends on your needs. The Ultimate Ears has a significantly longer battery life, better 360-degree directivity, lower latency for watching videos, and less compression. However, the JBL has app support with a custom EQ to adjust the sound and a bit more low-end extension.

Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)

The Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) suits a wider variety of use cases than the JBL Flip 6. The main plus of the JBL is its slightly wider-sounding soundstage. On the other hand, the Bose produces a deeper bass than the JBL and does an excellent job supporting voice assistants through your phone. However, if soundstage is extremely important to you, you could also consider getting a second Soundlink Flex (2nd Gen) and pairing them together.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus

The JBL Flip 6 is a better-built, more portable alternative to the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. The JBL's IP67 rating, extremely portable form factor, and lower retail price make it a compelling choice for those who want an outdoor speaker they don't have to be too precious with. That said, those who don't mind sacrificing portability for some extra volume and firepower in the bass range will prefer the Anker. The Anker also gives you a substantially longer battery life for your additional outlay, too.

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM PLAY

Despite their differences in design and shape, the JBL Flip 6 and the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM PLAY satisfy similar use cases. Both are single-driver designs, which result in lackluster soundstage performances and mono playback. Like most small speakers, neither is able to output much bass either, though both have relatively balanced mid and treble ranges. That said, the JBL can get louder and compress less at max volume. It also has a companion app, within which you can customize the sound to your liking. As a result, it's a better choice for music lovers, and its lower latency with iOS and Android devices make it a better choice for soundtracking videos, too. That said, the Ultimate Ears has a much longer battery life that lends itself better to outdoor use. 

Anker Soundcore Select 2S

If you're not constrained by budget, the JBL Flip 6 offers quite a bit of value over the Anker Soundcore Select 2S for the additional outlay. Despite being roughly the same size, the JBL has a better build quality and a more balanced frequency response, with more bass on tap. It also has better connectivity options, as you can pair two devices at once via Bluetooth and form a stereo pair with a host of different JBL speakers via the companion app. That said, the Anker is able to deliver a longer battery life and a better dynamics performance at a lower price point, which makes it a solid choice for those who want an outdoor speaker on a budget. 

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a better speaker than the JBL Flip 6 overall. The Ultimate Ears can get slightly louder with much less compression present at max volume, so audio quality doesn't degrade as much as you bump up the volume. It has a longer-lasting battery life of almost 13 hours. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It also has excellent directivity, resulting in a wider and more natural-sounding soundstage. That said, the JBL can produce a more extended low-bass out-of-the-box. It also has a graphic EQ to customize its sound to your liking.

Bose SoundLink Revolve II

The Bose SoundLink Revolve II is a better speaker than the JBL Flip 6. The Bose can produce a more extended low-bass and offers a wider and more spacious-sounding soundstage. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone and has little trouble understanding your commands from far and in noisy settings. That said, the JBL comes with a graphic EQ to tweak its sound to your liking. It's also smaller and better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes.

Amazon Echo Studio

The Amazon Echo Studio and the JBL Flip 6 are designed for different purposes. While the Amazon has a wired design that limits its portability, the JBL is battery-powered, and you can use it on the go. The Amazon can get louder with fewer compression artifacts present at max volume, and it has better directivity thanks to its cylindrical design. It also has better voice assistant integration, thanks to its built-in Alexa compatibility, and you can use it to connect to Wi-FI. That said, the JBL has a higher build quality and supports Bluetooth multi-device pairing, making it a better choice for bringing the party with you.

Sony SRS-XB43

The Sony SRS-XB43 is a better speaker than the JBL Flip 6 overall. With its ClearAudio+ and EXTRA BASS features enabled, the Sony can produce a more extended low-bass than the JBL. It can get louder and play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It has a longer-lasting battery life making it better suited for longer listening sessions. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone. The JBL's sound profile is better balanced out of the box, and its soundstage is perceived as wider and more open. It's also smaller, making it more portable and easier to bring along with you on the go.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
RGB Lights No

This portable Bluetooth speaker has a design similar to that of other models in the Flip lineup. It's small and compact and lays horizontally on your table or desk. You can find it in lots of different colors to suit your style.

9.3
Design
Portability
Volume
46 in³ (760 cm³)
Weight
1.1 lbs (0.5 kg)
Power Source
Battery & USB
One-Hand Carry
Yes

It's a small, lightweight speaker that's easy to bring around. If you're looking for a similar portable speaker to bring along with you on the golf course, you might want to consider the Bushnell Wingman, which comes with golf-oriented features.

8.3
Design
Build Quality
Material Quality
Great
Water Resistance
Submersible (IPx7)
Dust Resistance
Dust-Proof (IP6x)
Impact Resistance
Unspecified
Floats In Water
Unspecified

This speaker's build quality is great. It feels solid and is wrapped in a tight fabric that doesn't feel like it could easily rip. Its controls are rubberized, and there's hard protective rubber on the ends of the speaker surrounding its passive radiators. While there isn't a rubber flap to protect its USB-C charging port, it's still rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, meaning it's certified to be fully dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. It's even advertised to come with USB charging protection, which lets you know via an audible beep if you're too close to water, salt, or other chemicals. Also, there's a small hook on its size to attach its carrying strap.

6.6
Design
Controls
Ease Of Use
Great
Feedback
Good
Music Play/Pause
Yes (Physical)
Call Answer/End
No
Volume Up/Down
Yes (Physical)
Track Next/Previous
Forward Only (Physical)
Microphone On/Off
No
Additional Controls
Yes

This speaker has a fair selection of easy-to-use, rubberized controls. You can double-press the play/pause button to skip tracks. There's a PartyBoost button to connect it to other PartyBoost-compatible JBL speakers, like the JBL Flip 5, when you want to create a stereo pair or when you want to amplify your speaker's sound across a larger area without bumping up its volume.

The speaker also flashes a light when it's in Bluetooth pairing mode, which turns solid once it's paired. Pressing any button lights up the speaker's battery indicator lights momentarily to inform you of your current battery level. The speaker also emits a chime once you reach its maximum volume level. That said, there's no chime to inform you of once you reach its minimum volume. There also isn't a way to skip back to your previous track.

Design
In The Box

  • JBL Flip 6 speaker
  • USB-C to USB-A charging cable
  • Removable carrying strap
  • Quick Start Guide

Sound
6.5
Sound
Frequency Response Accuracy
Slope
-0.01
Std. Err.
2.78 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
75.5 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.5 kHz

The JBL Flip 6's frequency response accuracy is alright. Out of the box, it has a pretty even sound profile, especially in the mids, where most voices and lead instruments reproduce. As a result, it's suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content. You can customize its sound with the graphic EQ in the JBL Portable app. If you're interested in a similarly portable speaker that produces a deeper bass, consider the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen).

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
Binaural Recording @ 1m
Binaural Recording @ 2m
6.3
Sound
Soundstage
Directivity Index
3.15 dB
Stereo
No (mono)

This speaker's soundstage isn't bad. It has good directivity, meaning audio is consistent from most angles around the speaker. While you can pair it with another speaker to create a stereo pair, it downmixes stereo content to mono when using it on its own. Check out the TREBLAB HD77 or the JBL Pulse 5 for a similar speaker with a better soundstage performance.

6.0
Sound
Dynamics
SPL @ Max Volume
86.8 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
3.78 dB

This speaker gets loud enough to fill an average-sized living room with sound, but it isn't suitable for larger or more open spaces. There's some compression compared to similarly sized speakers, like the Anker Soundcore Select 2S, as you push it to maximum volume. This is particularly evident in the bass range, where you can hear some pumping artifacts.

Active Features
6.0
Active Features
Battery
Battery Life
5.9 hrs
Charge Time
2.2 hrs
Power Saving
Yes
Charging Port
USB-C
Battery Powered
Yes

The manufacturer advertises that this speaker will last up to twelve hours, and it lasted over five hours in our tests. However, the settings you use can impact the overall battery performance. Fortunately, you can still listen to music while the speaker's charging, and there's also an auto-off feature to help save battery life. Consider the Sony ULT FIELD 1 or the Ultimate Ears BOOM 4 if you want a speaker with a smaller form factor and a longer continuous battery life.

0
Active Features
Voice Assistant
Alexa
No
Google Assistant
No
Speakerphone
No
Siri
No
Voice Assistant
No
Voice Activation
No
Microphone Mute
No Microphone
Far-Field Performance
No Microphone
Ambient Noise Performance
No Microphone

This speaker doesn't have voice assistant support but if that matters to you, then you'll want to consider the Sonos Roam 2.

7.9
Active Features
App
App Name
JBL Portable
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
EQ
Graphic
Stereo Pair Mode
Yes
Party Mode
Yes
Multi-Room
No

The JBL Portable app is very good. It's compatible with iOS and Android devices and, unlike the Beats Pill, it features a graphic EQ to tweak the speaker's sound profile to your liking. You can use it to connect the JBL Flip 6 to other PartyBoost-compatible speakers like the JBL Charge 5 and the JBL Pulse 4 when you want to create a stereo pair and create a more immersive listening experience, or when you amplify your audio across a larger area. Compared to similar speakers like the EarFun UBOOM L, you have much more control over how this speaker sounds.

Connectivity
Connectivity
Wired
Aux Input
No
USB Audio
No
Other Ports
No

Aside from its charging port, this speaker doesn't have other wired inputs. Unlike the JBL Flip 4 and the JBL Charge 4, there's no AUX input to wire your devices to the speaker.

8.0
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Yes
Bluetooth Version
5.1
Bluetooth iOS Latency
165 ms
Bluetooth Android Latency
168 ms
Bluetooth Range
210.0 ft (64.0 m)
Multi-Device Pairing
2 Devices

You can connect the speaker to up to two devices at a time, so switching between different audio sources is easy. Latency is on the higher end, though, which isn't as ideal for watching videos. Some apps compensate for latency differently. If you want a portable speaker for watching videos that synchronizes audio and video better, check out the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4.

0
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi Version
No Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi Frequency Band
No Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
No
Apple AirPlay
No
AirPlay Latency
N/A
Google Chromecast
No
Chromecast Latency
N/A