JBL makes a few of the greatest Bluetooth audio system on the planet, and its newest mannequin isn’t any completely different; the JBL Flip 6 is a straightforward, great-sounding, and rugged speaker that works simply as properly indoors because it does outdoor.
As nice as we expect the JBL Flip 6 is, it’s lacking one characteristic that outdoorsy varieties might discover helpful: a built-in cellphone charger.
If that’s one thing you want, there’s a JBL moveable speaker on the market for you. The JBL Cost 5 comes with lots of the identical specs because the Flip 6, however provides in a USB-A port that you need to use to top-up your different units while you’re away from an influence outlet.
However, is a built-in charger price paying additional for? And, must you sacrifice a lighter construct for the flexibility to prime up your cellphone on the transfer?
We’ve examined each Bluetooth audio system extensively, and we will safely say that each provide wonderful audio performances and simple setups – however, in case you’re undecided which mannequin it is best to spend your hard-earned cash on, learn on for our full comparability of the JBL Flip 6 and the JBL Cost 5.
JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Cost 5: value and availability
The JBL Flip 6 was launched in December 2021, and is that can be purchased for $129.95 / £129.99 – that works out at round AU$175, although Australian pricing remains to be to be confirmed.
Because the speaker remains to be pretty new, you in all probability gained’t discover it closely discounted. Nevertheless, gross sales intervals like Prime Day and Black Friday normally see some wonderful Bluetooth speaker offers, so it is likely to be price hanging on till then in case you’re not in an enormous hurry to purchase.
The Flip 5 launched in February 2021, and is dearer at $179 / £159 / AU$229. That’s the identical value because the Sonos Roam, which comes with plenty of additional options akin to Wi-Fi connectivity, a built-in sensible assistant, and integration with different Sonos audio system.
So, in case you’re on a strict price range, the JBL Flip 6 might be the best choice, though you’re extra prone to discover offers on the Flip 5 because it’s over a yr previous now.
If neither of these costs enchantment, there are many different budget-friendly Bluetooth audio system to select from; the Anker Soundcore Flare 2, for instance, is less expensive at $80 / £64.99 / AU$140.
JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Cost 5: design
The JBL Flip 6 and the Cost 5 look similar to each other. Each Bluetooth audio system sport cylindrical builds with rubberized finish caps, uncovered bass radiators, and wraparound grilles. In addition they each are available in a spread of colours, however you might have extra alternative with the Cost 5 presently; we wouldn’t be stunned if JBL step by step launched extra colours for the Flip 6 sooner or later, although.
The Cost 5 is the bigger of the 2 audio system, measuring 223 x 97 x 94mm and weighing 960g. By comparability, the Flip 6 measures 178 x 68 x 72mm and weighs in at 550g, so in case you want your moveable speaker to be tremendous gentle, that is the most suitable choice out of the 2. The Flip 6 additionally comes with a useful carrying deal with, so you’ll be able to slip it over your wrist or hold it up.
Each audio system are strong sufficient to take outdoor, with IP67 mud and water-proof scores guaranteeing that slightly water or sand gained’t destroy your enjoyable.
The Flip 6 and Cost 5 additionally each characteristic tactile raised management buttons, which let you modify your music playback, and put it into PartyBoost mode (extra on that later). There are additionally buttons to pair your speaker along with your music supply and switch the speaker on and off; these are grouped along with the opposite buttons on the facet of the Cost 5, however you’ll discover them on the underside of the Flip 6.
Beneath each audio system is the place you’ll discover your bodily connections. The JBL Flip 6 has just one port – a USB-C port that you just use to cost the speaker. The Flip 5 can also be charged through USB-C, however subsequent to it is a USB-A port, which you need to use to prime up the battery of your different units. This port is saved secure from particles and water by slightly flap.
Neither speaker comes with an AUX-in port, so that you’re out of luck if you wish to hook it as much as a document participant or every other wired music supply.
JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Cost 5: audio efficiency
Whichever of those two audio system you go for, you’ll be able to make sure that you’re getting a balanced, heat audio efficiency, with good readability and first rate ranges of element.
Of the 2, the Cost 5 has slightly extra energy behind it, outputting 40W in comparison with the Flip 6’s 30W; nevertheless, the Flip 6 can nonetheless attain very excessive quantity ranges for its measurement.
You might not wish to crank both speaker all the best way up, although; each undergo from distortion at excessive volumes, and also you’ll get the very best audio efficiency with the quantity at about 50-60%.
Don’t let that put you off an excessive amount of. Each audio system sound wealthy and plush, with a pleasingly easy-going soundstage that’ll swimsuit informal listeners right down to a tee – and, each include assist for JBL’s PartyBoost characteristic.
This intelligent tech means that you can pair a number of JBL audio system (as much as 100, in truth) in mono for an actual wall of sound expertise on the push of a button. You may as well stereo pair utilizing PartyBoost, however you’re restricted to utilizing two of the identical mannequin.
JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Cost 5: battery life and connectivity
If battery life is your foremost concern, the Cost 5 is the speaker it is best to go for. It affords 20 hours of playback in comparison with the 12 hours you get from the Flip 6 – and, you’re getting the advantage of a built-in powerbank on your cellphone or pill, too.
Each audio system are straightforward to pair along with your units because of Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, and the accompanying JBL Transportable app means that you can verify for software program updates, modify the equalizer settings with sliders for bass, mid, and treble frequencies, flip the suggestions tone on and off, and skim the person information. You may as well allow the PartyBoost characteristic through this app.
Takeaway
Whereas the JBL Flip 6 and the Cost 5 are very comparable, selecting between them needs to be pretty straightforward. If you happen to’re in search of an extended battery life above all else, the Cost 5 is the one to go for – and the reply is similar if you’d like your Bluetooth speaker to come back with a built-in powerbank.
If a light-weight and small design is most essential to you, the Flip 6 is your greatest wager – and that’s true in case you’re additionally in search of the cheaper possibility of the 2 audio system.
In any other case, each audio system provide very comparable audio performances, the identical degree of ruggedness, and near-identical designs.