JBL Flip 5 Review: The Compact Speaker That Delivers Big Sound
Most portable speakers either sound terrible or take up way too much space. The JBL Flip 5 promises to solve this dilemma with its cylindrical design that’s barely larger than a water bottle. After using it as my go-to travel speaker for several months, I can say it largely delivers on that promise – though with a few important caveats worth knowing about.
The Bottom Line: Solid Performance in a Travel-Friendly Package
The JBL Flip 5 excels as an affordable, truly portable speaker that doesn’t completely sacrifice sound quality for convenience. Finding a reasonable balance between sound quality/volume and portability/ruggedness, the JBL Flip 5 is the quintessential jack of all trades, making it perfect for casual listeners who need reliable audio on the go.
Best for: Travelers, college students, anyone wanting good sound in a compact package, outdoor activities where portability matters
Skip if: You need maximum volume for large gatherings, want premium audiophile quality, or require an auxiliary input for non-Bluetooth devices
Performance & Sound Quality: Impressive for Its Size
Don’t let the compact size fool you – the Flip 5 packs a surprising punch. The Flip 5 has overall very good sound, with impressive bass for a speaker its size. Compared to the Flip 4, the Flip 5 has more bass and spreads the sound slightly wider. The new racetrack-shaped driver is a genuine improvement that delivers cleaner, more powerful audio than you’d expect from something this small.
The bass does sound better with good mids with a strong sense of detail and fidelity, while remaining relatively clean for a bluetooth speaker. During my testing with various music genres, the speaker handled everything from podcast dialogue to bass-heavy electronic tracks admirably. The sound signature is slightly warm and fun, which works well for casual listening but won’t satisfy serious audiophiles.
The volume gets respectably loud for personal use or small gatherings. I found it perfect for hotel rooms, small apartments, or outdoor use when you’re within 10-15 feet of the speaker. It won’t fill a large room or compete with loud conversations, but that’s not really its intended purpose.
One significant limitation: The Flip 5 loses the auxiliary input that had been in previous Flip models, so you can only connect wirelessly. This is genuinely disappointing if you have older devices or prefer wired connections for reliability.
User Experience: Simple and Straightforward
The Flip 5, like so many of its siblings in JBL’s line-up, is well-built, impeccably finished and, with a simple button layout and handy battery indicator, very straightforward to use. The controls are intuitive – power, Bluetooth pairing, volume up/down, and play/pause. No confusing button combinations or hidden features to remember.
The JBL Flip 5 has great Bluetooth connectivity. Unlike some competitors, you can pair it with up to two speakers at a time, and it has low audio latency on Android devices, which is good if you like to stream video. The PartyBoost feature works seamlessly when you want to connect multiple JBL speakers for bigger sound.
The waterproof design is genuinely practical. I’ve used it poolside, in the shower, and during light rain without any issues. It has a rugged, waterproof fabric, good sound, and decent battery life, and its portable size makes it an excellent option for just about everyone. The fabric covering feels durable and has held up well to regular use.
One minor ergonomic issue: The Flip 5 is designed to be laid lengthways or stood on its end, but do the latter and it doesn’t stay perfectly upright because of its odd-shaped ends. It’s stable enough for most situations, but be aware it can tip over easily on uneven surfaces.
The Product Lab does a deep dive on the Flip 5 below
Value Assessment: Great Bang for Your Buck
At its typical price point of $70-100, the Flip 5 offers excellent value for most users. The JBL Flip 5 may not be feature-packed, but it sounds absolutely fantastic for the price. When you consider the combination of portability, durability, and sound quality, it’s hard to find better alternatives in this price range.
Considering the JBL Flip 5’s waterproofness and above-average sound quality, we think it’s a pretty good deal. For those that want decent sound quality in a package that can take a beating, it’s a worthwhile purchase.
The speaker feels like it’s built to last. The materials and construction quality exceed what you’d expect at this price point, suggesting it’ll handle years of regular use without issues.
Real-World Testing: Three Months of Daily Use
I’ve put the Flip 5 through various scenarios to test its practical capabilities:
Travel Companion: Perfect size for carry-on luggage. Worked flawlessly in hotel rooms, Airbnbs, and outdoor cafes. The 12-hour battery life consistently lasted full days of moderate use.
Shower Speaker: Completely waterproof as advertised. Steam, direct water spray, and humid conditions caused no problems whatsoever.
Outdoor Adventures: Handled camping trips, beach days, and hiking excursions. The rugged construction showed minimal wear despite being tossed in backpacks and exposed to various elements.
Video Streaming: Low latency made it great for watching Netflix or YouTube on tablets and phones. Much better than laptop speakers for video calls too.
The most impressive aspect was its consistency – it performed reliably in every situation without any connectivity issues or audio dropouts.
Pros & Cons: The Complete Picture
Pros
- Truly portable design – Fits easily in any bag without adding significant weight or bulk
- Impressive sound for the size – Much better bass and overall audio quality than expected
- Excellent build quality – Waterproof, durable, and built to withstand regular travel abuse
- Reliable connectivity – Strong Bluetooth connection with low latency for video content
- Great battery life – 12 hours of play time consistently delivers full-day use
Cons
- No auxiliary input – Bluetooth-only connectivity limits compatibility with some devices
- Limited volume – Not powerful enough for large rooms or outdoor gatherings with background noise
- Stability issues – Tends to tip over when standing upright on uneven surfaces
- No advanced features – Missing voice assistant, EQ controls, or other premium features found on pricier models
The Final Verdict: Perfect for Its Intended Purpose
The Flip 5 is known for its robust sound quality and durable design, making it an excellent companion for outdoor adventures, beach outings, or casual home use. One of the key selling points of the Flip 5 is its ability to deliver high-quality audio in a compact form factor.
The JBL Flip 5 succeeds because it knows exactly what it wants to be: an affordable, portable speaker that doesn’t completely compromise on sound quality. It’s not trying to replace your home stereo system or power a large party – it’s designed to be the speaker you actually take with you everywhere.
The JBL Flip 5 is a solid iterative update over the JBL Flip 4, and while it may not be revolutionary, it’s refined enough to be worth the investment for most users.
If you need something truly portable that still sounds good and can handle whatever life throws at it, the Flip 5 delivers exactly that. The combination of size, sound quality, durability, and price makes it an easy recommendation for students, travelers, and anyone who values convenience without wanting to sacrifice too much audio quality.
For current pricing and color options, Amazon typically offers the best deals and fastest shipping. The speaker comes in multiple color options, so you can choose something that matches your style – they all perform identically.
With 4.8/5 stars from over 80,000 Amazon reviews, the JBL Flip 5 has clearly earned its reputation as an excellent portable speaker that delivers on its core promises while remaining genuinely affordable.