The Charge 6’s new carry handle makes it more portable than ever, eliminating one of the Flip’s key advantages over it.
The Flip 7 and Charge 6 are two of JBL’s latest portable Bluetooth speaker releases, offering music-lovers the ability to take their music with them to gatherings with friends, use around the house, or even in the swimming pool. If you’re only going to own one Bluetooth speaker, both of these are top choices, but how do they compare, and which should you spend your money on?
After reading through our in-depth comparison, you’ll know exactly which speaker is right for you.
Key Takeaways:
- The new carry handle on the Charge 6 makes it more portable than ever.
- The Flip 7’s buttons are harder to see and reach than the Charge 6’s.
- Both speakers now use Auracast instead of PartyBoost for multispeaker pairing.
- The Charge 6 provides twice as much playtime as the Flip 7.
Our Top Pick
JBL Flip 7 vs Charge 6
| Model | Flip 7 | Charge 6 |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Output Power | 30W | 45W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Battery Life | 14 Hours + 2 Hours Boost | 28 Hours + 2 Hours Boost |
| Woofers | 1x 1.75×3″ | 1x 2.0×3.6″ |
| Tweeters | 1x 0.6″ | 1x 0.75″ |
| Multi-Speaker Pairing | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Weight | 1.23 lbs | 3 lbs |
| Dimensions | 7.19 x 2.7 x 2.8″ | 9.0 x 3.9 x 3.7″ |
| App Support | JBL Portable | JBL Portable |
| Price: | Check Price | Check Price |
Table of Contents
- Design, Build & Durability
- Controls, Connectivity & App Support
- Sound Quality & Volume
- Battery
- Price & Value
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Differences In Build Quality, Portability & Durability Between The JBL Flip 7 and Charge 6
- Both speakers are durable, with rugged shells, ideal for the outdoors.
- The Charge 6’s new carry handle makes it a lot easier to carry.
- Each speaker is available in several unique color designs.
- Among the first flagship speaker releases to have IP68 water-resistance.
Design
Winner: Tie
The Flip 7 and Charge 6 have distinctly different designs, with the JBL Flip 7 having a standard cylindrical design with bass radiators on either end and two control areas nested on the speaker. It comes in 7 different colors: blue, red, black, squad (camo), white, purple, and pink. Although it doesn’t have a carry handle per se, it does feature an interchangeable clip area where one can attach a loop strap or carabiner, both of which are included in the box.
The Charge 6 is similar to the Flip, but slightly larger. It also has a flat base stand for added stability. It also has two control areas, one for playback controls and the other for power and pairing. Like the Flip 7, the ends of the speaker each have a passive bass radiator. The Charge 6, unlike its predecessors, also now has a removable carry handle, which aids in portability. It’s available in white, blue, black, red, purple, and squad (camo).
Durability & Water Resistance
Winner: Tie
JBL Flip 7
JBL Charge 6
The Flip 7 and Charge 6 have no real differences in terms of durability and water resistance. They both have rugged exteriors with a fabric wrap that protects the body from scratches, with long-lasting, high-quality rubbers used.
They also offer the same level of waterproofing, boasting some of the best water-resistance on the market. This isn’t a hyperbole either. The JBL Flip 7 and Charge 6 are among the first flagship speaker releases to feature an IP68 water-resistance rating, the highest rating found for speakers.
This high level of waterproofing means they can both be used outdoors in heavy rain, in the swimming pool, or out on a lake, for example. Even if they fall in the water and become submerged, they’ll be protected from damage at up to 1.5m depth for 30 minutes.
Portability
Winner: Flip 7
JBL Flip 7
JBL Charge 6
Both speakers are highly portable and suitable for everyday use, however, the Flip 7 is smaller and lighter, making it easier to carry over long distances, like hiking trips. The Charge 6 is a more bulky speaker, weighing just more than double that of the Flip 7 (1.23 lbs vs 3 lbs).
Unlike previous Charge generations, the new Charge 6 has a removable carry handle that changes the game, making it just as easy to carry as the Flip 7 over more moderate distances. A carry handle can become a bit much for long hiking trips, but it makes moving the Charge 6 around between picnics, the beach, and the garden easier than ever.
Both speakers have similar controls, but those on the Charge 6 are slightly easier to access
- The Charge 6’s controls are positioned towards the user, making them easier to use.
- The latest in Bluetooth connectivity, offering reliable connections.
Connectivity
Winner: Charge 6
There isn’t much difference in connectivity between the Flip 7 and Charge 6. They both come with Bluetooth 5.4, which is the latest version. This modern version improves battery efficiency and latency between one’s phone and the speaker.
The Charge 6 has slightly better Bluetooth range, though, thanks to the slightly higher Bluetooth transmitter power.
Controls
Winner: Charge 6
JBL Flip 7
JBL Charge 6
There also isn’t anything particularly different between the types of buttons on these speakers. Both have two control areas, one with the power button, Bluetooth pairing, and multispeaker pairing buttons, and another series that gives playback control, including play/pause, volume, and track skipping.
The placement of these buttons is an important talking point. The Flip 7’s buttons sit just behind the top of the speaker when it’s facing towards the listener. I called this feature out in my Flip 6 review and had hoped JBL would adjust. It means you need to lean over the speaker to see the buttons.
Because the Charge 6’s buttons face more directly towards the listener, they are easier to see and access, giving the Charge 6 the advantage here.
TWS & Group Pairing
Winner: Tied
Both the Flip 7 and Charge 6 can be paired together with another copy of the same model in a true wireless stereo pairing or connected to any one of JBL’s Auracast-supported speakers in a general group pairing.
This includes pairing support with the following models:
- Xtreme 4
- Clip 5
- Go 4
- PartyBox 120, 320, 520 & Ultimate
App Support
Winner: Tied
The Charge 6 and Flip 7 can both be used with the JBL’s Portable app, which is available on iOS and Android. Within the app, one can adjust the EQ settings, establish multispeaker pairings, and more. Unlike older versions, which only supported 3-band EQ, you now have control of 7 bands of frequencies, allowing each speaker to be dialed in to one’s preferences.
The app also now gives the Charge and Flip PlaytimeBoost, a setting that adjusts the sound profile to provide more playtime. It does this primarily by lowering the amount of bass.
JBL Flip 7 vs Charge 6: Which Sounds Better?
- The Charge 6’s larger design gives it the benefit of deeper, more powerful bass.
- Between the two speakers, the Charge 6 will cover a larger area with higher max volume.
JBL Flip 7
JBL Charge 6
Sound Quality
Winner: Charge 6
These speakers are designed primarily for casual music enthusiasts, the everyday user. So they aren’t necessarily the most refined, audiophile-grade speakers out there. However, they both sound good for their price.
Upfront, the Charge 6 is a better-sounding speaker overall with deeper and punchier bass that resonates more with those who love a good party or enjoy the thumping sound of EDM and Hip-Hop. It’s not just its wider sound that makes it better, though; the Charge 6 also has better separation that makes busy tracks sound less noisy.
The Flip 7 sounds better than the Flip 6 with more detail, thanks to improved dynamic range, but there isn’t a noticeable increase in the bass. Which may disappoint some people.
If you’re looking to save some money or if the size difference is a big deal for you, then the Flip 7 is by no means a bad choice. But if you’re okay with the Charge’s heavier weight and $50 premium, you’ll get a distinctly better-sounding speaker at the end of the day.
Both speakers use AI Sound Boost, a feature that adapts the sound on the fly to get the best performance in any situation. This basically optimizes the speakers at high volume to provide the best sound possible in that situation.
Is The Flip 7 or Charge 6 Louder?
Winner: Charge 6
The JBL Charge 6 is a louder speaker than the Flip 7, and it also retains more separation and clarity at higher volume levels. So if you’re looking to fill a room with sound, the Charge 6 is definitely going to be a better pick.
With up to 28 playtime, the Charge 6 lasts about twice as long as the Flip 7
Winner: Charge 6
Both speakers have built-in rechargeable batteries, but the Charge 6 is the clear winner when it comes to the amount of playtime it offers. It achieves up to 28 hours, double that advertised on the Flip 7.
In real-world use, the overall playtime is diminished slightly as these estimates assume a lower volume. But at 50% with PlaytimeBoost disabled, the Charge 6 will give you close to 16 hours of playtime, while the Flip 7 lasts close to 10 hours.
Enabling PlaytimeBoost will squeeze another 90 to 120 minutes of playtime out of both speakers.
Price & Value
Winner: Charge 6
The Flip 7 retails for $159, while the Charge 6 has a price tag of $199. With just $40 separating them, the Charge 6 has significantly more value, with its deeper bass, louder sound, and significantly longer battery life.
Compared to other speakers on the market, the price point feels about standard, and they’re by no means overpriced for what they offer. But again, the value proposition on the Charge 6 is distinctly higher.
Conclusion
So, which speaker should you buy? For most people, the Charge 6 is going to give them the best results; it’s not much more money, but it has several benefits to it, including battery life, volume, and sound quality. However, it’s not exactly small enough to toss into a handbag and head out with, so for those seeking something more portable the Flip 7 is still a solid choice, and a worthy upgrade from the Flip 6, especially with its new Auracast support letting one pair it with a multitude of JBL’s newer releases.
Our Top Pick
