Both are compatible with the JBL Connect app, which, if fairly basic, and has no EQ setting adjustment. When it comes to controls, the Flips keep it simple with rubberised buttons covering play/pause, volume adjustment and pairing. So, if you already own a JBL Bluetooth speaker, it's worth opting for the Flip with the same JBL pairing protocol, else you won't be able to pair your new purchase with your existing JBL speaker. What you can't do is pair the Flip 4 and Flip 5, since Connect+ speakers don't support PartyBoost speakers and vice-versa. You can also daisy-chain 100+ PartyBoost-compatible speakers to create an awesome wall of sound that would almost certainly earn you a visit from the local council. It's particularly useful as it means you can pair two mono Flip 5 speakers for stereo sound.

PartyBoost, found on the Flip 5 and Pulse 4, performs the same trick. The more eagle-eyed buyer might also spot that the Flip 4 has a 'Connect+' button, whereas the Flip 5 boasts PartyBoost.Ĭonnect+, as seen on the Flip 4, Charge 4, Xtreme 2 and a few older JBL Bluetooth speakers, means you can make compatible speakers play the same song simultaneously, or set one of them as the left channel and one as the right for a greater sense of scale. We'll cover how this impacts performance in the 'Sound Quality' section (below), but if stereo sound is important you, the Flip 4 might be the one to go for. The Flip 4 also has two drivers for stereo sound, whereas the Flip 5 is a mono speaker. Gone is the analogue aux input for wired listening, the noise-cancelling microphone for hands-free calls and voice assistant integration. You might be surprised to discover that the newer JBL Flip 5 has fewer features than its predecessor, the Flip 4. **Winner** Draw – the Flip 4 is lighter but the Flip 5 floats. Fun fact: US customers can personalise their Flip 5 with text, stickers and images using JBL's Design Your Own customisation feature. More conscious of style? The Flip 5 could be the best Bluetooth speaker for you – it comes in a choice of 11 bright colours whereas the Flip 4 comes in six. Still, both speakers are easy enough to sling in a backpack or handbag without any fuss. It also means they're dust-proof and can withstand the odd knock or drop.īut while both models are rugged enough to survive a weekend in the wild, only the Flip 5 actually floats in water, making it the better option for pool parties and boat trips.īoth score highly on the portability scale but if you like to travel light, it's worth nothing that Flip 4 is marginally smaller in size and also a bit lighter (515g vs 540g). That means you should be able to submerge them in water at a depth of 1m for up to 30 minutes. If you're planning a day at the pool or a trip to the beach, you can party on whatever the weather since both of these speakers are rated IPX7.

Jbl flip bluetooth pairing