The Trend Verdict
Spec-by-spec

Head to head

Contenders from Portable Bluetooth Speakers, every metric lined up. The winning value in each row is outlined.

JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black #3 in Portable Bluetooth Speakers
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Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Bluetooth Speaker Bose SoundLink Plus Portable Bluetooth Speaker #97 in Portable Bluetooth Speakers
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Price
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Rating
★★★★★
★★★★★
Category rank
#3
#97
Sound
Balanced, controlled bass; punchy mids
Bold, resonant bass; slightly warm; boomy if not EQ-adjusted
Loudness
~85dB—adequate for rooms, limits outdoor scale
Adequate for medium-to-large spaces; can distort bass at max
Battery
12 hours
20 hours
Waterproofing
IP67—fully submersible
IP67 (submersible)
Portability
Pocketable at 285g with carrying loop
11.2" speaker, 3.4 lbs; carrying loop; backpack-friendly but not pocketable
Durability
Rugged rubberized chassis, proven durability
Rugged exterior, drop/tumble/fall resistant; proven IP67 seals
Value
—
$179 sale (33% off MSRP); premium for its class but long battery justifies cost
Verdict
The category benchmark for portable Bluetooth speakers
Best long-battery portable Bluetooth speaker

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