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JBL Flip 7 vs Beats Pill: The best portable speaker for summer 2025?
Published onApril 17, 2025
If you’re looking for a compact Bluetooth speaker for weekend get-togethers, poolside hangs, or casual listening, the JBL Flip 7 and Beats Pill are both solid picks. They’re built for people who want great sound in a durable, portable package, but each speaker has its own strengths and trade-offs. In this comparison, we’ll break down the key differences in sound quality, features, and overall value to help you decide which one fits your lifestyle best. Let’s get into it!
Editor’s note: this article was published on April 17th, 2025, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
What’s it like to use the JBL Flip 7 compared to the Beats Pill?
The JBL Flip 7 and Beats Pill both feature a similar water bottle-shaped, cylindrical design that makes them easy to pack and carry. However, the Flip 7 is the smaller and lighter option, weighing in at 560g compared to the 680g Beats Pill. While the difference isn’t massive, it’s worth considering if you plan to take your speaker on the go frequently and want to keep things light.
Both speakers include carrying attachments, but I prefer JBL’s new PushLock accessory system. It works like a seatbelt and lets you swap between a loop or carabiner for added flexibility. In contrast, the Beats Pill sticks with an overly long lanyard that feels a bit cumbersome when trying to attach it to something. Design-wise, both speakers sit at an angle when on a flat surface, which helps direct sound toward your ears for better clarity in casual listening setups.
Lastly, if durability is a priority, the JBL Flip 7 takes the lead. The Beats Pill carries an IP67 rating, which makes it both dustproof and waterproof, but the Flip 7 goes further with an IP68 rating that allows for deeper water submersion. It also features added protection around the ends of its enclosure, and that’s not just for looks. JBL says the Flip 7 is certified drop-proof from a height of one meter, even onto concrete, making it the tougher choice for everyday wear and tear.
How do you control the JBL Flip 7 and Beats Pill?
Both speakers use physical buttons for controls, but I much prefer JBL’s raised playback controls over the Beats Pill’s recessed ones. The raised buttons and their functions are easier to find by feel, especially in the dark. JBL also includes backlit Auracast, Bluetooth, and power buttons, which add a nice touch once the sun goes down.
It’s also worth noting that the Beats Pill offers a built-in microphone for taking calls on the go, which you can control via the middle “multi-function” button. The Flip 7 does not, so you’ll have to pick up your phone the old-fashioned way.
Should you use the apps of either JBL Flip 7 or Beats Pill?
If you like fine-tuning your Bluetooth speaker’s sound, the JBL Flip 7 easily wins this round. It works with the JBL Portable app, which gives you a fully customizable 7-band EQ along with a few handy presets. In contrast, the Beats Pill doesn’t offer any built-in sound customization or EQ presets, so you’d have to rely on third-party apps if you want to tweak the audio.
That said, the Beats Pill does shine when it comes to iOS integration. While the Pill works fine with Android and iPhones, since it’s technically an Apple product, it pairs seamlessly with iPhones and lets you customize button controls and use features like “Show in Find My” in case your speaker goes missing. It will also show you what battery life you have left remaining. You can’t adjust the sound, but you do get integration with the Apple ecosystem.
How do the JBL Flip 7 and Beats Pill connect?
The JBL Flip 7 connects via Bluetooth 5.4, while the Beats Pill uses Bluetooth 5.3, but there’s no meaningful difference in everyday use there. Both speakers support only the SBC codec, so there’s no advantage in codec quality either.
However, both the Flip 7 and Beats Pill do offer lossless audio over a USB-C wired connection, which is a big win if sound quality matters to you. Just make sure you’re streaming from a service that supports lossless audio, like Apple Music or Tidal. If you want the absolute best audio performance from your portable speaker, wired listening is the way to go.
Lastly, while both speakers let you pair with another identical unit for stereo sound, the JBL Flip 7 goes a step further with Auracast support. This lets you connect it to other recent JBL speakers like the Charge 6 or Clip 5 for a more flexible multi-speaker setup. On the other hand, since Beats only makes the Pill, you’re limited to pairing it with other Pills using Amplify mode.
Is battery life better on the JBL Flip 7 or Beats Pill?
The Beats Pill wins this round, no contest. While the JBL Flip 7 offers up to 14 hours of battery life on a single charge, the Beats Pill pushes that to 24 hours at around 50% volume. Of course, your actual battery life will vary depending on how loud you play your music and how bass-heavy your tracks are, which can drain power faster by making your speaker work harder. But if long battery life is your top priority, the Pill is the better pick.
Does the JBL Flip 7 sound better than the Beats Pill?
The JBL Flip 7 and Beats Pill deliver noticeably different listening experiences, with each one emphasizing different parts of the frequency range. The Beats Pill offers solid bass for its size but tends to overemphasize treble. Details like hi-hats in electronic tracks come through clearly, but they can sound sharp or even shrill, which may cause ear fatigue during longer listening sessions. On top of that, the Pill underplays the midrange, so distorted guitars and vocals often feel pushed back in the mix when listening to rock music.
Unfortunately, you’re stuck with the sound as-is with no EQ options. You’ll have to rely on a third-party EQ app to tame those harsh treble frequencies or boost the mids to bring vocals and guitars forward. This is where the Flip 7 pulls ahead.
The JBL Flip 7 also delivers solid bass for its size but emphasizes the midrange, bringing vocals and guitars to the front of the mix. The treble response sounds more natural, with less harshness and minimal sibilance, making it easier to listen to over long sessions. Thanks to its 7-band EQ, you can dial in more low-end to match the Pill’s bass or fine-tune the mix to your personal taste.
Ultimately, both speakers offer enough output to keep a medium-sized indoor gathering or a smaller outdoor party going, but thanks to those EQ options, I’d say the Flip 7 takes this round.
Should you get the JBL Flip 7 or Beats Pill?
In the end, the JBL Flip 7 and Beats Pill are two very similar speakers in size, shape, and price, but they take very different approaches to sound and design. The Flip 7 has a rugged, outdoorsy design with a customizable sound, while the Beats Pill offers a sleek look that blends in more naturally with home decor, though you’re stuck with its stock tuning. Still undecided? Here are a few more things to consider before you choose:
Choose the JBL Flip 7 if:
- You want the most durable option
- You want the smaller size
- You want multiple carrying attachments with the new “PushLock” system
- You want precise sound control via the 7-band EQ
- You plan to pair it with other new JBL speakers that use Auracast
Choose the Beats Pill if:
- You want seamless iOS integration
- You’re ok with the slightly larger size, weight, and lack of EQ options
- You’re satisfied with a slightly lower IP67 rating
- You want more than 12 hours of battery life
- You want a built-in mic for taking phone calls or Zoom meetings
What should you get instead of the JBL Flip 7 and Beats Pill?
For a few dollars more, you might want to consider the JBL Charge 6 ($199 at Amazon). It offers many of the same features as the Flip 7, including a durable, drop-proof build and a customizable 7-band EQ, but it steps things up in the battery department. Thanks to JBL’s “PlaytimeBoost” feature, the Charge 6 delivers up to 28 hours of playback, which aligns it more with the Beats Pill. Check out the video above to see everything the Charge 6 brings to the table.
Staying in the same price range as the Flip 7 and Beats Pill, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) is another durable, portable speaker worth considering. It features an IP67 rating, a rubberized finish for added grip, and solid build quality. While it doesn’t support lossless audio over USB-C, it does offer broader codec support with SBC, AAC, and Snapdragon Sound, including aptX. It’s a compelling alternative for iPhone and Android users alike. Snag one for $149 at Amazon.
For even more alternatives, be sure to check out our hand-crafted list of the Best Bluetooth Speakers Under $200.