JBL Flip 5
Score: 78/100
Bose SoundLink Micro Blue
Score: 77/100Rankings
The JBL Flip 5 is a compact cylindrical Bluetooth speaker delivering 20 W RMS of powerful sound and a 12-hour battery life. Its older Bluetooth 4.2 and lack of a guaranteed dust-proof rating are notable trade-offs. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking lightweight, waterproof audio.
The Bose SoundLink Micro is an ultra-compact, rugged Bluetooth speaker offering up to 12 hours of playback and IP67 protection. Its modest volume and occasional Bluetooth range hiccups limit it to personal listening scenarios. Ideal for solo travelers and hikers who prioritize portability and durability.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
12 hoursbest | 12 hoursbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 540 g | 340 gbest |
44 mmbest | — | |
4,800 mAhbest | — | |
20 Wbest | — | |
— | 9 mbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 150 minutesbest | 240 minutes |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(1) | ||
Charging Time (minutes) | 150 minutes | 240 minutes |
Build & Design(3) | ||
Weight (g) | 540 g | 340 g |
Dimensions (H×W×D) (mm) | 73.66×68.58×180.34 mm mm | 98.3×98.3×34.8 mm mm |
IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers and editors consistently praise the Flip 5 for its punchy bass, room-filling sound, rugged IPX7 waterproofing and long 12-hour battery, while also highlighting PartyBoost as a useful party-link feature; the main criticism centers on its older Bluetooth 4.2 stack and the absence of a guaranteed dust-proof rating.
Everyday customers echo the professional sentiment, lauding the speaker's portability, strong bass, waterproof durability and easy pairing, though some note occasional Bluetooth connectivity quirks and wish for clearer dust-proof specifications.
Professional reviewers commend the SoundLink Micro for its rugged IP67 build, ultra-portable form factor, and low Bluetooth latency, noting it excels as a personal outdoor companion. However, they criticize its limited volume output and lack of a built-in voice assistant, which restrict its usefulness in larger or smart-assistant-driven scenarios.
Everyday users love the speaker's tiny size, strap attachment, and durability, often highlighting its ability to survive drops and water exposure while delivering surprisingly good bass. Common complaints revolve around a shorter-than-advertised battery life at high volume, insufficient loudness for group use, and occasional Bluetooth range hiccups.
