Is JBL still the king of Bluetooth speakers?

Whether you’re at the beach, the park, or hanging out at a friend’s house, chances are you’ve seen (or heard) a JBL Bluetooth speaker pumping out some tunes. After all, the brand helped define the portable Bluetooth speaker market nearly 12 years ago with the launch of the original Flip, setting the stage for what would eventually become a market saturated with options.

Fast-forward to today, and there’s no shortage of Bluetooth speakers from countless brands to choose from. They’re available in every size and for every occasion, whether you need something ultra-compact for a hike or a party-starting karaoke machine. More importantly, many of these options also come with a much less expensive price tag, pushing value above all else.

So, after reviewing JBL’s latest offerings, including the Charge 6 ($199) and the Flip 7 ($149), I was reminded that JBL speakers still sell for a premium compared to new competitors, which got me thinking: Is JBL still the king of Bluetooth speakers?

Why JBL is the go-to brand for most

Considering the Flip is now in its seventh generation, it’s clear that JBL sticks with what works—a proven combination of good sound quality, a rugged build, and excellent battery life. Each new model brings some updates—improved connectivity or a new EQ feature—but it increasingly seems like minimal enough improvements to provoke the inevitable comment: “Wait, that’s it?”

I get it to some extent; not every update to each model is equally exciting. But what groundbreaking changes are people expecting, ultimately?

Of course, there’s also only so much you can do when it comes to sound within the limits of physics. We have to remember that these are compact, portable speakers. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it a million times: They’re not meant for critical listening. These are fun speakers to clip onto your backpack or strap down to your paddle board for that day at the lake.

Of course, that doesn’t mean JBL shouldn’t keep pushing for the best possible sound. To the company’s credit, they’ve done a great job—people keep coming back, generation after generation. But does that really justify the increasingly premium price of a brand-new JBL speaker?

Just like with headphones, spending more doesn’t always mean better sound or more features. So, let’s take a look at what else you can get without sacrificing sound quality—for less.

What other companies are offering for less

Let’s use Soundcore as an example. They’ve made a name for themselves by providing more budget-friendly alternatives. A speaker like the Boom 2, which sells for $89.99 at Amazon and is often on sale for under $100, shows that you can get more for less in today’s market—much more.

Compared to the JBL Charge 6 and Flip 7, which are 45W and 35W mono speakers, respectively, the Boom 2 offers 80W of output with a hefty bass response, 2.1 stereo playback, a courtesy USB-A port, and beat-synced LED lights on its passive radiators. Oh, and did I mention it floats?

When it comes to sound quality, Soundcore even offers better EQ options. They provide you with a 9-band customizable EQ, which you can modify and personalize even further in “Full-band” mode. Full-band mode lets you cut or boost specific frequencies, meaning you can really dial in the sound of the Boom 2 to your liking, much further than with the fixed frequency 7-band customizable EQ found on the JBL Portable app with the Charge 6 and Flip 7. So, can the Boom 2 keep up with these new JBL speakers when it comes to sound quality? Absolutely.

So, we have a less expensive speaker that offers more output, more features, better sound customization, and overall, better value. The Boom 2 really only falls flat in two areas. The first is its IPX7 protection rating. This means it offers no protection against dust, making it less than ideal for the beach or a wood shop, for example. All recent JBL speakers are IP67 or higher.

The second, which is relatively minor, is it’s plastic housing. While this hard plastic is quite robust and durable, it scratches easily. If you’re often on the go with the speaker, it will start to show some wear over time, unlike the durable fabric and rubber bumpers you’ll find on most JBL speakers.

Could JBL lose the portable speaker crown?

In the end, JBL is clearly still a household name when it comes to Bluetooth speakers and will not be going away anytime soon. Their speakers are durable and sound great, but the competition is stepping up—especially when it comes to value, and that’s a good thing if you ask me.

Simply put, options like the Soundcore Boom 2 pack more power, better sound customization, and extra features for less cash. Still, if you care most about build quality from a trusted brand, JBL will always be the safe bet. After all, they are the pioneers of the industry. Sometimes, it’s the little details, like the durable fabric they wrap the Charge and Flip speakers in instead of using an all-plastic exterior, or that extra protection from the rubber bumpers around its passive radiators that give JBL speakers their more premium feel, which some users are happy to pay for.

That said, in today’s market, if you want to get the most for your money, it’s worth checking out some of the newer alternatives from a company like Soundcore or at least waiting until JBL has one of their inevitable online sales.

Lastly, speaking of sales, if you’re on the fence about upgrading but still have a perfectly good speaker, consider grabbing a second one at a discount. Pairing two identical speakers for stereo performance lets you enjoy your favorite music the way it was meant to be heard—with proper left and right separation!