JBL Clip 5
Score: 81/100
Bose SoundLink Flex
Score: 79/100Rankings
The JBL Clip 5 is an ultra-portable speaker with a built-in carabiner, IP67 protection and up to 15 hours of playback. Its small size limits maximum volume and it lacks a built-in microphone for calls. Best suited for hikers and travelers needing rugged, hands-free audio on the go.
The Bose SoundLink Flex combines IP67 durability with PositionIQ adaptive sound and up to 12 hours of playback, featuring a built-in mic and party-mode capabilities. Its modest bass and occasional short battery life are trade-offs. Suited for outdoor adventurers who value smart features and ruggedness.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
15 hoursbest | 12 hours | |
| ↓ lower better | 285 gbest | 590 g |
45 mm | 50.8 mmbest | |
1,400 mAhbest | — | |
7 Wbest | — | |
— | 9 mbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 180 minutesbest | 240 minutes |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(2) | ||
Battery Life (hours) | 15 hours | 12 hours |
Charging Time (minutes) | 180 minutes | 240 minutes |
Audio(1) | ||
Driver Size (mm) | 45 mm | 50.8 mm |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 285 g | 590 g |
Dimensions (H×W×D) (mm) | 134.6×45.7×86.4 mm mm | 71.1 x 218.4 x 120.7 mm mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers and editors are not directly quoted in the available data, but product pages emphasize the Clip 5’s "big JBL Pro Sound" in a tiny form factor, its IP67 ruggedness for outdoor use, and versatile Auracast pairing. The narrative positions the speaker as ideal for portability over raw power, highlighting its carabiner and extended battery life as key differentiators.
Everyday users praise the Clip 5 for its remarkable versatility, noting the impressive sound quality in a travel-friendly package and the convenience of the carabiner for on-the-go listening. Common themes include appreciation for the waterproof rating, solid bass for its size, and the long battery life, while few complaints are recorded.
Professional reviewers consider the SoundLink Flex a solid, well-balanced portable speaker with premium build quality and useful features like PositionIQ and SimpleSync, but they criticize its modest bass, lack of true stereo without a second unit, and battery life that falls short of the advertised claim.
Everyday users generally appreciate the speaker's ruggedness, portability, and clear sound for its size, while repeatedly mentioning shorter-than-advertised battery life and the need for a second speaker to achieve true stereo as the main drawbacks.
