JBL is no stranger to gaming audio and is known for producing accessories that fit a wide variety of use cases. One of the popular categories is their range of portable wireless Bluetooth speakers, and the JBL Flip 5 and JBL Charge 4 fall into that category. These audio accessories have a battery of and they are also the perfect companion for outdoor events, beach parties or any casual gathering.
They are not heavy and the IPX7 rating makes the deal sweeter. At the same time, they are easy to transport, thanks to the cylindrical design, which makes them easier to hold.
However, when it comes to price, things are not so similar. While the previous JBL Charge costs around $179, the Flip 5 costs $120. So, that begs the question of whether the $60 price difference is worth it.
And that is what we are going to find in this article comparing the new JBL Flip 5 with the JBL Charge 4 and discovering which portable Bluetooth speaker is the best for its price and if it is worth the investment.
Since this is going to be a long post, let’s get right to it.
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Property Rate of JBL 4 JBL Flip 5 Property Rate of JBL 4 JBL Flip 5 read 0.965kg 0.54 kg Portable Yes Yes VersionBluetooth bluetooth 4.2 bluetooth 4.2 Raincoat Yes, IPX7 Yes, IPX7 Loud speaker No No battery life 20 hours reading time 12 hours of reading USB Type C charging Yes Yes Dimension 8.5 x 3.5 x 3.4 inches 7.1 x 2.7 x 2.9 inches
The Charge 4 is a little heavier at almost 965g, but nothing you can’t carry around for a short time. However, if you want to take it with you on your hiking or camping adventures, the weight can add up in the long run. The weight does not help with the portability of the product.
Additionally, you will find the buttons on the top of the device. They are responsive and give a tactile response when pressed. Interestingly, the Charge 4 does not have a back button.
As noted above, the Charge 4 has an IPX7 rating, meaning it can be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
Interestingly, it even floats a bit in water, giving you plenty of time to stow it away if you accidentally drop it (if you’re looking for a floating speaker, you should).
Note that the Charge speaker has no microphone, which means if you have your phone connected to the speaker, you’ll have to deal with it on your phone. Again, this may not matter to many people. I don’t like answering calls from a speaker. And hey, the 3.5mm headphone jack is still intact.
Interestingly, the Charge 4 has a feature called JBL Connect+, which you can use to wirelessly connect to other compatible JBL speakers to boost the volume of your music. The best part is that you can pair it with a secondary speaker to create a stereo effect. Naturally, you will find it useful when it comes to outdoor use, especially at parties.
You or your friend can invest in an additional speaker to light up the scene. If we talk about numbers, we can up to 100 speakers. Wow, right?
As we noted above, the new Flip 5 has a similar design. But when you put them side by side, you’ll see that the Flip 5 looks more streamlined. It doesn’t have the subtle dock on the bottom like the Charge 4. Instead, the Flip 5 has a sleek column that runs the length of the speaker with the buttons and battery indicator in place.
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This design allows it to be placed perfectly in a bicycle bottle holder, among other things. In addition to removing speaker functionality (no microphone), JBL skipped adding a 3.5mm headphone jack. Yes, it’s all wireless business here.
As a newer device, the JBL Flip 5 does away with JBL Connect+. Instead, it contains a newer technology called PartyBoost. This allows you to pair your speaker with other PartyBoost compatible speakers to amplify the sound.
As far as real-world usage goes, this feature doesn’t have many satisfied users. For example, many users have stated in their reviews that doesn’t work as it should. And since this feature isn’t supported on older models like the Flip 4, you’ll have to buy newer models to get amplified sound.
It has a massive 7500mAh battery and, well, it can play music for about 20 hours before needing to be recharged. And the USB-C port means you can easily use your phone’s charging cable in place of the original if you ever lose it.
Finally, it only takes about 4.5 hours to fully charge it. That’s pretty decent considering the size of the battery. If you have a party planned, just make sure you plug it in and you’ll be good to go for the long haul.
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On the other hand, the Flip 5 doesn’t offer such sophisticated features. Your battery is for one and one thing only: charging your speaker. Battery life is around 12 hours, which is around 8 hours less than the Charge 4.
Fortunately, both speakers have a battery indicator on the top, letting you know how much is left.
The Flip 5 comes with an improved driver that slightly improves low frequencies and that at high volumes. Several professional critics confirm this. Compared to the Flip 5, the Charge 4 offers a maximum power of 30W and powerful sound. While the volume levels of the two speakers are almost at the same level, it is the overall clarity and quality that pushes the Charge 4 ahead of the Flip.
The bass is wider and more pronounced, and most importantly, the sound is clear. you get one with the Charge 4.
The Flip 5 is another compact product that you can take on your hikes and other outdoor adventures. The weight won’t make you feel like you’re carrying a big rock at the end of the day.
The sound is not bad for a speaker that costs $100. Also, if you plan to buy another high-end product, you can bundle them together.
But if you already have some older JBL speakers, then the older Charge 4 would be the best option.
If you want to know other articles similar to JBL Flip 5 vs JBL Charge 4: Which wireless Bluetooth speaker should you choose? you can visit the category.
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