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Whether it’s at a 4th of July barbeque, summer evening pool party, or a long, leisurely day at the beach, there really isn’t anything like summer to kick back and enjoy life.
And what is summer fun without music, and how can I find a reliable speaker to play my music in any summer venue or adventure? That is the dilemma we are tackling today. Specifically, we will look at how the JBL Flip 4 waterproof speaker stands up to our summer fun and its competition in the industry.
Comparison Table
[amazon box=”B01MSYQWNY,B07CSPLGV9,B078J2Z2Q9,B06XH3PWSF” template=”table”]
Product Overview
The JBL Flip 4 waterproof is a cylindrical Bluetooth speaker that can be enjoyed just about anywhere. With an IPX7 grade waterproof rating, it can be submerged in six feet of water for up to thirty minutes.
It has Bluetooth connection capability for multiple devices at one time and an advertised battery life of twelve hours. Battery life a deal breaker? You might then want to check out JBL Charge 3 which has a 20-hour battery life.
It weighs less than two pounds, making it light and portable for all your summer outings, and it has a very affordable price.
[amazon fields=”B01MSYQWNY” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image=”1″]
image via Amazon
It has high sound quality with two exposed passive radiators to increase base levels. It can be purchased in a variety of colors including, black, white, teal, gray, red, and blue.
Pros & Cons
The JBL Flip 4 waterproof is a good quality speaker with a long list of pros. At the top of this list is the JBL’s IPX7 water proof grade. Being able to submerge in water and still play music gives it a leg up on most of its competitors. Next on the list of pros is its sound quality. The JBL Flip 4 waterproof beats out most of its competitors in mid to high range sounds. Furthermore, the Flip 4 has good quality volume with no distortion, making it ideal for outdoor events.
Another pro for the Flip 4 is its extra capabilities which include speakerphone capability and the ability to connect to other speakers for larger spaces. The speakerphone module has noise and echo-canceling abilities to make the sound clearer. Furthermore, the Flip 4 can be paired to two devices at once, so there is the ability for more than one DJ at your summer soiree. Portability is also easily achieved with the Flip 4. It is light, and it also has a detachable strap for versatility. Not only can you place it on a poolside table, but you can attach it to your bag for a relaxing walk on your favorite trails.
The final item on the pro list is the fact that the Flip 4 comes in six colors, giving the consumer a chance at individuality. And who doesn’t love to ability to show off their unique personality? Everything you own should represent you, and your speaker should be no different.
On the other hand, no speaker is perfect, so it is no surprise that the JBL Flip 4 waterproof has its share of cons. One of these cons is the battery life. Although the Flip 4 is advertised with a 12-hour battery life, this is only true if the volume stays in the mid-range. When the volume plays at its top level, the battery life goes down to only 4 hours. That is a massive difference. Another con is the fact that you won’t want to take it into the pool with you because it does not float. Other speakers in this price range, like the UE Wonderboom, float so they can go in the water. The JBL Flip 4 does not float although water will not harm the speaker, so you will have to leave it on the patio when you go for a swim.
Although I put sound quality on the pro list, I will have to put it on the con list too. Although the sound quality is excellent in the mid to high ranges, the base ranges tend to fall short. There are several other speakers in this price range that boast better base. The low level of bass quality is especially disappointing in this speaker because the double exposed radiators are advertised as improving bass quality. If a product advertises its base quality and still falls below the bar that is a problem.
The final con on this list is its pairing capability to other speakers. It can only pair to devices with the connect capability, meaning it can only connect with other Flip 4 speakers or speakers still to come in the JBL Flip line. It would be nice if it could pair to more of a variety of speakers.
Pros
- JBL’s IPX7 water proof grade
- Good quality volume with no distortion
- Speakerphone capability and ability to pair with 2 devices
- Comes in six colors
Cons
- Low battery life
- Does not float
- Low level of bass quality
- Can only pair to devices with the connect capability
Product Details
The JBL Flip 4 waterproof comes in a cylinder shape. It gains its name, the Flip, because it can either stand on one end or lay on its side. With dimensions of 3.6 X 3.6 X 8.5 inches and a weight of 1.8 pounds, it is an easily portable speaker.
It has exposed passive radiators at either end of the speaker meant to improve base quality.
image via Amazon
The mesh fabric cover on the cylinder makes it durable enough to use outdoors. And even if it becomes damaged, it has a 12-month warranty that will cover any needed repairs.
The Flip 4 has base radiators at either end of the cylinder, waterproof fabric covering, auxiliary plug in, and touch buttons on the side. The buttons include a Bluetooth phone pairing button, triangular play/pause button, and volume buttons. It also has a detachable corded handle. With this handle, the speaker can be attached to a backpack, hung in the shower, or dangled from a hook for a versatile listening experience.
The speaker has a waterproof grade of IPX7, which means that it can be fully submerged without taking damage for up to half an hour. Not only will it not be damaged while submerged, but it can also actually still perform while completely submerged in water. So, if you’d like to listen to music with your speaker in a bucket of water, go ahead. Just don’t listen for longer than thirty minutes.
The Flip 4 can be paired with two Bluetooth devices at one time, eliminating the inevitable argument of who gets to DJ your summer road trip. Furthermore, it can be paired with other speakers to lend more sound to larger spaces, ideal for parties that range from room to room or across the whole yard.
This speaker has a good sound quality in the mid and high ranges, and there is little to no distortion when the volume is high.
Despite the dual radiators, the bass quality tends to fall below average compared to the other speakers in the Flip 4’s price range. The battery life on the Flip 4 is listed at 12 hours, and when the volume is in the moderate range, it lives up to that standard. Using the speaker at max volume, however, sends the battery life down to 4 hours.
On the other hand, the JBL Flip 4 has several quality extras that make it a desired product. The first of these is the speakerphone capability. Although quite a few Bluetooth speakers come with microphones inside of them, giving them speakerphone ability, the Flip 4 comes with noise and echo canceling technologies that give it a better sound quality for phone calls. Furthermore, the built-in microphone gives the Flip 4 the capability to connect to SIRI, Google, or other AI services.
How The JBL Flip 4 Waterproof Compares
There are a variety of speakers on the market, so it’s important to see how the JBL Flip 4 stands up to its competitors. The competitors listed in this article are the Anker SoundCore, the KNZ GoDuo Portable, and the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each speaker when compared to the JBL Flip 4.
[amazon link=”B01MSYQWNY” title=”JBL Flip 4 Waterproof” /]
[amazon box=”B01MSYQWNY”]
- where to buy
- warranty
The JBL Flip 4 Waterproof is available on Amazon.com18-months warranty.
[amazon link=”B07CSPLGV9″ title=”Anker SoundCore ” /]
[amazon box=”B07CSPLGV9″]
The Anker Soundcore is a good quality speaker for its price range. It is IPX7 grade offering impermeable protection, even during complete submersion. Additionally it has Bluetooth capability up to 66 feet. It has playtime of 12+ hours and the ability to connect and charge other devices.
It is smaller but heavier than the JBL Flip 4 waterproof with specs of 8 X 2.8 X 2.7 and a weight of 2 pounds. Like the JBL, the Anker has speakerphone capability. Something that the Anker has that the JBL doesn’t, however, is a special button to adjust the base on the device. Although there is slight sound distortion at top volume, the Anker SoundCore has overall good sound quality, especially in the base ranges.
Head To Head:
The Anker SoundCore beats the JBL Flip 4 on price, battery life, warranty, and Bluetooth range, but the JBL Flip 4 beats the Anker on durability, sound quality, and portability.
- where to buy
- warranty
The Anker SoundCore is available on Amazon.com18-months warranty.
[amazon link=”B078J2Z2Q9″ title=”KNZ GoDuo Portable” /]
[amazon box=”B078J2Z2Q9″]
The KNZ GoDuo portable speaker has a unique design that lends to its versatility. Featuring two speaker heads with individual magnetic bottoms, the speakers can work together to make one large speaker or separate to give more of a surround sound quality. The two halves can connect to each other up to 30 feet apart. The device can also be set to only play from one speaker, elongating its 18-hour battery life even longer.
With an IPX5 rating, making it water-resistance to direct hits from water jet streams, and a Bluetooth connection capability of up to 32 feet, the KNZ comes in just below the JBL in outdoor durability. However, the sound quality is excellent, even at the highest volumes.
The two KNZ speakers combine to make a whole dimension of 9.1 X 2.6 X 2.6 and a weight of 14 ounces.
Head To Head:
The KNZ GoDuo beats the JBL Flip 4 on versatility, portability, battery life, and sound quality. However, The JBL Flip 4 comes ahead in durability. Both speakers match each other in Bluetooth range, warranty, and price.
- where to buy
- warranty
The KNZ GoDuo Portable is available on Amazon.com12-months warranty.
[amazon link=”B06XH3PWSF” title=”Ultimate Ears WonderBoom” /]
[amazon box=”B06XH3PWSF”]
The UE Wonderboom is a good quality speaker for its smaller size. Coming in at 4 X 3.6 inches and 15 ounces, it is the smallest speaker on our list. Despite its small size, the Wonderboom speaker has a good sound quality except for higher volumes, when it becomes distorted.
The Wonderboom has an IPX7 waterproof level, floats, and is shock resistant. It has the ability to connect to other speakers, has a 100-foot Bluetooth range, one of the largest in this range of speakers, and has a battery life of ten hours. Overall, it is a quality speaker.
Head To Head:
The Wonderboom wins over the JBL Flip 4 in the categories of warranty, sound quality, Bluetooth range, durability, and portability. On the other hand, the JBL Flip 4 waterproof comes out on top in battery life and extra features such as auxiliary and speakerphone capabilities. Both speakers cost the same and are compatible with other speakers for use in larger spaces.
- where to buy
- warranty
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom is available on Amazon.com24 months warranty.
Conclusion
Overall, the JBL Flip 4 waterproof is a good quality speaker that matches up well with its competitors. It is durable enough for the outdoors and is light and portable, making it a good choice when going on summer excursions. The waterproof grade is better than most, and it has good mid to high range quality and doesn’t distort at high volumes.
It’s only downsides are the quality of the base, its ability to sink, and the rapidly shrinking battery at high volumes. Despite these downsides, however, it is still a good speaker for any outdoor summer activity. The JBL Flip 4 waterproof would be a good addition to any poolside tanning, patio grilling, or beach volleyball fun.
