35

out of

109

Speakers

True Score Methodology v2.0

JBL Flip 5 Review

Name: JBL Flip 5
Brand: JBL

Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:27 PM

True Score

82

Absolutely Fresh

82

11

Experts

91

0

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Expert Pick

Expert Rankings

(

11

)

The JBL Flip 5 delighted expert testers with its decent bass response and sturdy build quality. They liked the speaker’s battery life and that it was water and dust-resistant. However, its inability to play stereo content, missing WiFi connectivity, and lack of a 3.5mm output disappointed them.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The JBL Flip 5 was released in early 2019 as an entry-level Bluetooth speaker that is available in up to 11 distinct colors. The speaker has a rugged housing to protect it from any severe damage when used outdoors, and like most of the top speakers for outdoor use, it has an IP67 rating which means it is both dust and waterproof. The speaker’s Bluetooth connection has a range of up to 219 ft, so it doesn’t have to be too close to the source when watching videos or movies. It can also handle connections from two devices simultaneously. The most popular Bluetooth speakers on the market have a much longer range, but the Flip 5 makes up for that with unique options, such as the ability to personalize its grille by uploading your own unique design requests on JBL’s website.

Consensus

our Verdict

Expert testers were beyond satisfied with the bass depth and tough build quality of the JBL Flip 5. Testing results conducted by the review team at Sound Guys found that the speaker lasted almost 10 hours, and they also liked that it could be paired with more speakers when set to PartyBoost mode. They lauded its bass response and appreciated that the JBL Connect app was easy to use when making adjustments to the sound. Analysts from PC Mag also complemented its powerful audio output and liked how prepared it was for the outdoors, thanks to its water and dust resistance. The Flip 5 is pretty easy to carry around since it only weighs 1.2 pounds, but if you’d prefer something even more compact, check out our JBL Clip 4 review.

The Flip 5 also has its share of drawbacks. Testers were disappointed with its missing speakerphone functionality and lack of support for voice assistants. They also complained that it couldn’t play stereo content and that it lacked a 3.5mm output.

ReasonS to Buy

Multi-device pairing
Water and dust resistant
Lightweight and portable
Decent bass levels
Customizable grille

Reason to Avoid

No WiFi connectivity
No support for voice assistants
No speakerphone functionality

JBL Flip 5 Specs

	7.12"	–
	Battery Life	12 hrs
	Built In Microphone	No
	Charge Time	2.5 hrs
	Depth	2.71"
	Height	2.9"
	IPX Rating	IPX7
	Smart App	JBL Portable
	Speaker Pairing	Yes
	Water Resistant	Yes
	Wattage	20W
	Width	7.12"
	Wireless Range	10 m

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours)	13.55
Volume Output (dB)	85.5
Low End Roll Off (Hz)	95.137
High End Roll Off (Hz)	4,005.486

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Product Comparison

	JBL Flip 5 Review	JBL Flip 6 Review	Sony SRS-XB23 Review	JBL Charge 5 Review
True Score	82	83	78	84
Ranking	# 35 / 109	# 24 / 109	# 72 / 109	# 5 / 109
Market Context	The JBL Flip 5 was released in early 2019 as an entry-level Bluetooth speaker that is available in up to 11 distinct colors. The speaker… The JBL Flip 5 was released in early 2019 as an entry-level Bluetooth speaker that is available in up to 11 distinct colors. The speaker has a rugged housing to protect it from any severe damage when used outdoors, and like most of the top speakers for outdoor use, it has an IP67 rating which means it is both dust and waterproof. The speaker’s Bluetooth connection has a range of up to 219 ft, so it doesn’t have to be too close to the source when watching videos or movies. It can also handle connections from two devices simultaneously. The most popular Bluetooth speakers on the market have a much longer range, but the Flip 5 makes up for that with unique options, such as the ability to personalize its grille by uploading your own unique design requests on JBL’s website.	The JBL Flip 5 is the predecessor to the JBL Flip 6. It has a longer-lasting 8.2-hour battery compared to the Flip 6, which lasts… The JBL Flip 5 is the predecessor to the JBL Flip 6. It has a longer-lasting 8.2-hour battery compared to the Flip 6, which lasts up to 5.9 hours at max levels. However, the Flip 6 has a graphic equalizer while the Flip 5 does not. Here’s our JBL Flip 6 review for more info.	The JBL Flip 5 can get louder than the Sony SRS-XB23, but the XB23 has speakerphone functionality and voice assistant support that the Flip 5… The JBL Flip 5 can get louder than the Sony SRS-XB23, but the XB23 has speakerphone functionality and voice assistant support that the Flip 5 does not. The XB23 also has a graphic EQ that is missing on the Flip 5 and can play stereo content while the Flip 5 cannot.	The JBL Flip 5 and the JBL Charge 5 are similar in many ways, but buyers might want to consider some slight differences that exist… The JBL Flip 5 and the JBL Charge 5 are similar in many ways, but buyers might want to consider some slight differences that exist between the two. For example, the Flip 5 has a wider soundstage, but the Charge 5 has a longer lasting 14.5 hr battery compared to the one on the Flip 5, which lasts up to 8.2 hours. Take a look at our JBL Charge 5 review to see what else it has got in store.
7.12"	–	–	–	–
Battery Life	12 hrs	12 hrs	12 hrs	20+ hrs
Built In Microphone	No	n/a	Yes	No
Charge Time	2.5 hrs	2 hrs	4 hrs	4 hrs
Depth	2.71"	–	–	3.67"
Height	2.9"	–	–	3.76"
IPX Rating	IPX7	–	–	IP67
Smart App	JBL Portable	JBL Portable	Yes	JBL Portable
Dig Deeper		JBL Flip 6 Review →	Sony SRS-XB23 Review →	JBL Charge 5 Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

82

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

91

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

82

Any product with a True Score above 80 is a Absolutely Fresh

Expert Scores

Publications with higher Trust Ratings are given more weight.

100.6
Category Trust Rating
64
The JBL Flip 5 speaker delivers a strong Bluetooth audio experience in an outdoor-friendly design… Read More
By:
What Hi-Fi?
81.17
Category Trust Rating
77
JBL’s Flip 5 is a simple soul with Bluetooth-only playback and modest features, but if… Read More
By:
Hannah Davies
43.6
Category Trust Rating
80
Thanks to above-average sound in a small package, the JBL Flip 5 remains one of… Read More
By:
Georgia Dixon
65.58
Category Trust Rating
80
The JBL Flip 5 is fair for outdoor use. It’s a portable speaker with a… Read More
By:
Tim Gideon
45.5
Category Trust Rating
90
The JBL Flip 5 is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable speaker… Read More
By:
Mike Lowe
43
Category Trust Rating
80
If you’re looking for a small, portable and waterproof Bluetooth speaker then your options are… Read More
By:
Unknown

Customer Scores

NR
(
NR
/5
)
Ratings

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