JBL Flip 7 vs JBL Charge 6: Battle of the new JBL portables

The JBL Flip 7 and JBL Charge 6, JBL’s latest portable speakers, are here with upgraded durability, new features, and a more customizable sound experience. But which one deserves your hard-earned cash? We spent two weeks with each model to find out everything you need to know.

Editor’s note: this article was published on March 12, 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 JBL Charge 6?

The JBL Flip 7 and Charge 6 represent the latest iterations of JBL’s most popular portable speaker lines, with both receiving similar upgrades for 2025. While they share many new features, their size difference remains the most obvious distinction between them.

The Flip 7 maintains its slim, cylindrical design, which is perfect for tossing in a bag or attaching to a backpack. The Charge 6, meanwhile, is substantially bigger and nearly twice as heavy as the Flip 7. Both models have also upgraded their carrying attachments. The Flip 7 features a new “PushLock” system with a JBL-branded carabiner and loop attachment, while the Charge 6 comes with a versatile detachable handle that can be configured as either a traditional handle or a carrying loop.

Both speakers feature upgraded durability with enhanced rubber bumpers protecting their passive radiators. These aren’t just cosmetic changes — both models are now officially drop-proof from a height of one meter onto concrete. Additionally, both speakers now boast IP68 ratings, an improvement over their predecessors’ IP67 certification, allowing them to be submerged up to 1.5 meters underwater for 30 minutes. The Charge 6 also features a wider, flatter base compared to the previous model’s thin silicone strips, making it less prone to rolling off surfaces.

How do you control the JBL Flip 7 and JBL Charge 6?

Both the Flip 7 and Charge 6 have very similar control schemes with dedicated buttons for power, Bluetooth connectivity, and playback functions. The most notable change from their predecessors is the replacement of the Party Connect button with an Auracast button, which allows pairing with other JBL speakers that support this new connection standard.

JBL Flip 7 controls:

The control layouts are slightly different. The Flip 7’s buttons are separated into two sections, while the Charge 6 features its power, Bluetooth, and Auracast buttons on a dedicated backlit strip.

JBL Charge 6 controls:

Should you use the apps of either JBL Flip 7 or JBL Charge 6?

Absolutely. Both speakers use the JBL Portable app, which offers significant new features that enhance the user experience. Most notably, both speakers now feature a 7-band customizable EQ, a major upgrade from the 3-band EQ found in their predecessors.

The app also provides access to four new EQ presets, although most users will likely prefer to create their own custom sound profiles. Additional features accessible through the app include managing Auracast-connected speakers in the “Party Together” section, pairing two identical speakers for stereo playback, and activating the new “Playtime Boost” feature that extends battery life (at the expense of sound quality).

The JBL Portable app is also where you’ll receive firmware updates for your speaker, making it an essential companion for either model.

How do the JBL Flip 7 and JBL Charge 6 connect?

Both the Flip 7 and Charge 6 have received connectivity upgrades, moving from Bluetooth 5.1 in the previous generation to Bluetooth 5.4 in these new models. The most significant addition, however, is the ability to play audio over USB-C, including support for lossless playback from compatible services like Apple Music or Tidal.

To engage this wired playback mode on either speaker, hold down the Play/Pause button while connecting the USB-C cable. When successful, you’ll hear a confirmation chime.

The Charge 6 maintains its namesake feature — the ability to charge external devices through its USB-C port — a functionality not available on the smaller Flip 7.

Notably, both new speakers now support Bluetooth Auracast instead of JBL’s Party Boost feature, meaning they can connect with other newer JBL speakers like the Xtreme 4, Go 4, or Clip 5. However, this change means they are not backwards compatible with previous generation JBL speakers that use Party Boost, so you cannot pair a Flip 7 with a Flip 6 or a Charge 6 with a Charge 5.

Is battery life better on the JBL Flip 7 or JBL Charge 6?

The Charge 6 is the clear winner in terms of battery life, offering up to 28 hours of playback compared to the Flip 7’s 16 hours. However, both figures come with a caveat: the maximum advertised playback time includes the use of JBL’s new “Playtime Boost” feature.

When using standard settings, the Charge 6 provides 24 hours of playback (with an additional 4 hours available through Playtime Boost), while the Flip 7 offers 14 hours of standard operation (with an additional 2 hours through Playtime Boost).

It’s worth noting that Playtime Boost is essentially an EQ preset that reduces bass frequencies to minimize power consumption. While this extends battery life, it noticeably compromises sound quality, resulting in an audio profile that’s heavy on mid-range and treble but lacking in bass response.

The Charge 6 also features a quick charge capability. A 10-minute charge provides an additional 150 minutes of playback time.

Does the JBL Flip 7 sound better than the JBL Charge 6?

As expected from its larger size, the Charge 6 delivers superior bass response compared to the Flip 7, with even more low-end strength than its predecessor. According to Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS), both speakers perform similarly overall, with the Flip 7 scoring 2.8 and the Charge 6 scoring 2.7.

Both speakers feature minimal Distortion and score fairly well in Timbre but much lower in Immersiveness. It’s important to note that both speakers are mono, which naturally limits their Immersiveness scores.

In our experience, the Charge 6 tends to sound slightly darker out of the box compared to the Flip 7, with stronger bass but less clarity in the upper frequencies. However, this can be easily adjusted using the EQ. Both speakers can deliver surprising bass for their respective sizes, particularly when the 125Hz slider is boosted in the EQ.

Should you get the JBL Flip 7 or JBL Charge 6?

Your choice between the JBL Flip 7 ($149) and JBL Charge 6 ($199) should primarily depend on your priorities regarding size, battery life, and budget.

Ultimately, both the JBL Flip 7 and Charge 6 continue JBL’s tradition of delivering durable, great-sounding portable speakers, but with thoughtful upgrades that make them even more versatile than their predecessors. The choice between them comes down to how you plan to use your speaker and whether the Charge 6’s extra features justify its higher price tag.

However, if you already own a Flip 6 or Charge 5 and are happy with it, there’s no urgent need to upgrade. While both new models offer welcome improvements in durability, sound customization, and connectivity, they represent evolutionary rather than revolutionary upgrades over their predecessors.

What should you get instead of the JBL Flip 7 and JBL Charge 6?

As an alternative to the Flip 7, the Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) offers comparable sound in a similarly compact, travel-friendly design with IP67 protection for $149 at Amazon. However, its companion app only offers a 3-band EQ compared to JBL’s new 7-band option.

For a more budget-friendly option with added flair, the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 ($89.99 at Amazon features built-in LED lights on its passive radiators and includes a USB-A port for charging devices, despite being smaller than the Charge 6.

If you’re considering alternatives to the Charge 6, the Beats Pill (2024 version) is worth considering for its impressive bass response. It features an IP67 rating, an angled upward-firing design, and lossless audio over USB-C, all for $149.99 at Amazon—$50 less than the Charge 6.

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