Deciding to buy a new Bluetooth speaker depends on many factors. Nobody wants to waste their money on a product that delivers a low-quality sound.
To help you decide the best choice, our team made a JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 comparison. Let’s see which one is the better deal.
JBL Flip 4 or JBL Flip 5?
- 12 hours of playtime
- IPX7 waterproof
- Can pair with multiple speakers
- USB-C quick charge
- 12 hours of playtime
- Can connect up to 2 devices
- IPX7 Waterproof
- JBL Connect+
Features of JBL Flip 4 and Flip 5
Design and Build Quality
Let’s begin with a JBL Flip 4 vs 5 style and superior build. At first glance, they look nearly identical. Both speakers use a control panel that doesn’t take much room, and the buttons are covered in a rubberized material that keeps them clean and undamaged. However, that doesn’t mean they have the same style.
So, what does JBL Flip 4 have over JBL Flip 5? Well, it has more details built into it, namely the speakerphone connect function that a lot of portable Bluetooth speaker have. The Flip 5 doesn’t have an analog aux input or a mic for speakerphone connect abilities. But this isn’t necessarily an advantage.
The reason for this is that despite its more complex build device, JBL Flip 4 has the mini USB-B jack while JBL 5 has USB C port, which is becoming increasingly obsolete now that the USB C is more and more common.
The USB-B port has a protective flap to keep it safe from liquids and dust, though. JBL 5 is a bit different because the USB C charging port itself is water resistant, so it doesn’t need a protective flap.
When it comes to size, both two speakers have the one of the best perfect size for ease of handling, with small differences. Flip 4 has a length of 17.5 cm, a width of 7 cm, and a weight of 0.5 kg, while Flip 5 is 18.1 cm in length, 7.4 cm in width, and a weight of 0.54 kg. Unlike other devices that are heavier like the Blackweb soundbar, the speakers are easy to carry around and won’t take up too much space.
JBL Flip 4 and Flip 5: Sound Quality
JBL 5 is a mono stereo, using a single 44mm speakers driver to pump tune outwards in a consistent direction. The disadvantage here is that Flip 5 has no sound separation, while Flip 4 has one.
When it comes to frequency, Flip 5 has a better frequency response than its predecessor, and this means that it can use an extra 4 watts of energy, all of which translates into a more powerful speaker.
Bass is the most powerful and better sound that a speaker can create, and it may not surprise you that the JBL Flip 5 beats JBL Flip 4 in this regard. Our sound experts noticed during the JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 comparison that Flip 5 has slightly bigger bass and volume.
To get the best sound quality of a JBL device, you can also check how to connect a JBL Clip 2 seamlessly.
JBL Flip 4 and Flip 5 Connectivity
The older JBL products used old technology, named Connect+, featured in the past in all types of speakers. The new ones, like JBL Flip 5, are using newer technology, PartyBoost. JBL Flip 5 is not compatible with older JBL products and will only communicate with PartyBoost-compatible devices.
As a Bluetooth speakers version, both two stereo sound use Bluetooth 4.2, so you can connect them with all types of phones. Or connect it with multiple Bluetooth speakers to get audio from several devices and both are compatible with the JBL connect app.
However, the stereo sound frequency rates are different for both of them. Flip 4 is operating on a 70Hz-20kHz frequency rate, while Flip 5 operates between 65Hz-20kHz, a slightly bigger bandwidth that translates into excellent audio.
You can also check how you can setup an Anker Soundcore speaker to other devices here.
Battery Life and Charge Time
Both device last about twelve hours at rest or half to two-thirds of that if you use them a lot. The battery life is way impressive compared to Harman Kardon Onyx 2 and Onyx 3 that can only give you 5 on a full charge. Our team tested both products and found that JBL Flip 5 would recharge in about 2.5 time period. On the other hand, the portable bluetooth speakers JBL Flip 4 will refill its battery in 3.5 hours.
The Flip 4 has a 3,000 mAh rechargeable bat, while the Flip 5 uses a 4,800 mAh bat. Despite the bat upgrade that Flip 5 got, its lifespan is almost identical to its predecessor, Flip 4. The Flip 4 uses 16W during operation, whereas Flip 5 burns 20W, essentially leveling each speaker’s energy demands.
Continuously charging and discharging, the batteries can damage the stereo and reduce its lifespan. However, both Flip 4 and Flip 5 batteries are designed to cope with over 500 charge-discharge cycles before they lose much ability to hold energy. Even after that, the speaker is usable one, but its lifespan will be significantly reduced.
However, our experts have found a great method by which you can figure out if you need to change the bat with a new one.
When you raise the volume, particularly on music that has many bass tones, you may hear crackling or other distortion. This isn’t always attributed to low bat, but it’s one good indicator. Another thing that tells you that the bat power isn’t right is when the speaker may cut out or power down when a deep bass drum thump occurs.
This could mean that the bat, even when fully charged, can no longer provide sufficient power for the speaker drivers to play these sounds, and this may indicate that it needs replacing.
Dustproof and Water-Resistance
Both Flip 4 and 5 are waterproof and dustproof. Through their composition, both two speakers are protected by rubber fabric housing, and are highly durable. You also don’t have to worry if you drop them into the water or sand by mistake, as they are designed to withstand shocks.
There is not much to say in terms of JBL Flip 4 vs JBL Flip 5 as both two Flip speakers have an international protection rating of IPX7 aux input [1] water resistant and will last about 30 minutes if submerged underwater.
Extra Features
Even though the Flip 4 is older than the Flip 5, you can access voice assistant Siri or Google Assistant directly through the speaker, without the need for a phone. The Flip 4 also has a speakerphone.
JBL Flip 4 and Flip 5: Price
The Flip 5 is newer than the Flip 4, but it will not put a larger price hole in your pocket than its predecessor. Our experts noticed in their review and research that there is no significant difference in price between these products, they work like how Bluetooth speakers designed to function, although the Flip 4 is slightly cheaper one if you search enough.
FAQ
What is the difference between JBL Flip 4 and flip 5?
The main difference between the JBL Flip 4 and Flip 5 is the wireless connect technology that they use. Flip 4 uses an older technology, named Connect+, while Flip 5 uses PartyBoost.
If you find difficulty connecting your JBL speakers to other devices, you can check this guides:
Overall Winner: Flip 5
Following lab audio tests, our specialists chose JBL Flip 5 as the winner. Using the PartyBoost new technology, this JBL speaker operates on a higher bandwidth and uses up to 20W, which translates into excellent audio quality.
Flip 5 has a fun design and comes with 11 distinct color options that will brighten your day. Rainy days no longer need to be silent since this speaker has an IPX7 waterproof design. You are also free to carry it anywhere as it is both lightweight and portable.
Sonos Roam is another high-quality Bluetooth speaker to consider, you can check our complete review of Sonos Roam here, too. Read next!
