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From cleaning your home to picnics on the beach, camping trips and parties, most people will agree that music is essential. You might want to share your music with others, or perhaps you can’t stand headphones and earbuds, then for you, a portable stereo speaker is a must-have.
We are going to give you all of the ins and outs of the two JBL portable stereo speakers; the JBL Flip 3 vs Flip 4. We will compare the specifications of the two speakers and consider things like appearance and value for money. Before we deliver our final verdict, we will offer some pros and cons of the JBL Flip 3 and the JBL Flip 4.
Let’s begin with what the JBL Flip 3 and the JBL Flip 4 have in common.
JBL Flip 3 vs Flip 4 – Similarities
Quick Glance




JBL Connect+
With the JBL Flip 3 and the JBL Flip 4, you can connect to multiple other JBL wireless Bluetooth speakers. This will amplify the sound of your music allowing you to share with even more people without sacrificing the quality of the sound.
Wireless Streaming
These are both fun speakers to own. You can connect other smartphones to the JBL Flip 3 and the JBL Flip 4 so that you and your friends and family can take in turns streaming music. The Flip 3 can connect up to 3 other smartphones or tablets while the Flip 4 can connect 2 smartphones or tablets.
Base Radiators
The JBL Flip 3 and the JBL Flip 4 have JBL’s dual external passive radiators. On either end of the speaker, the bass radiators will really enhance the bass so that you can hear it and feel it.
Noise Cancelling
Both the JBL Flip 3 and the JBL Flip 4 have built-in noise and echo-canceling. Not only does this improve the quality of your music, but it also makes them an ideal solution for conference calls.
There are actually quite a few differences between the JBL Flip 3 and the JBL Flip 4, so we will cover these now.
Differences Between JBL Flip 3 and JBL Flip 4
Appearance
Both are compact portable speakers that come in a range of colors.
JBL Flip 3
You can choose between blue, gray, orange, pink, red, teal, yellow, and black. The speaker measures 7.5 x 4.5 x 3.9 inches and weighs 1 pound.
JBL Flip 4
Some of the colors like black, blue, gray, red, and teal are the same. Other color options are camouflage, ocean blue, tri, and white. It is a little smaller than the JBL Flip 3, measuring 6.9 x 2.8 x 2.7 inches. It weighs just a tad more at 1.14 pounds.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Playtime
The party can’t stop halfway through because the battery has run out.
JBL Flip 3
It comes with a powerful 3000mAH rechargeable Li-ion battery. It offers 10 hours of playtime.
JBL Flip 4
While the battery is still a 3000mAH rechargeable Li-ion battery, the playtime is longer at 12 hours.
The Winner Is- The JBL Flip 4
Water Resistance
Both of these JBL speakers are designed to be taken with you, whether that’s to the rocky mountains or the pool.
JBL Flip 3
This has a rugged rubber housing making it durable. It is splash-proof, so it will handle the rain and spills. You can even wash it under running water.
JBL Flip 4
It is advertised as being of ‘lifestyle material’. It is rated IPX7 waterproof and you can completely submerge the speaker in water.
The Winner Is- The JBL Flip 4
Read next – JBL LSr305 Vs LSr308: Which Studio Monitor Is Better?
Voice Activation
Many modern-day devices allow you to control them with your voice. This is certainly a bonus when you have your hands full, or dirty.
JBL Flip 3
This doesn’t come with voice activation.
JBL Flip 4
You can activate the JBL Flip 4 with Siri or Google Now.
The Winner is- The JBL Flip 4
Read next – Sony xb30 vs xb40: Which Portable Bluetooth Speaker is Better?
Pros and Cons
Here is some additional product information about the JBL Flip 3 and the JBL Flip 4 with our pros and cons.
JBL Flip 3
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality and bass response, even when the volume is louder
- Materials are nice and the colors are all nice and bright
- Amazing value for money for such a well-known brand
Cons:
- The USB port needs to be more durable
JBL Flip 4
Pros:
- The sound is superb for the price
- Bluetooth connection is quick and easy
- The built-in microphone is great and works very well
Cons:
- Some people don’t rate the battery life
The Final Verdict
Both the JBL Flip 3 and the JBL Flip 4 have excellent sound quality with features like the dual external passive radiators, and built-in noise and echo-canceling. The Bluetooth connectivity works well and is reliable.
The JBL Flip 3 has 2 advantages over the JBL Flip 4. We preferred the vibrant colors of the JBL Flip 3, but really this is a personal preference. It was also good that you could connect an extra smartphone at the same time.
However, considering the JBL Flip 4 is only around $10 more we decided that this was definitely the better buy. Being waterproof made it much more suitable for being next to the pool and if you have children. Being able to activate it with your voice makes this speaker very convenient.
Last update on 2023-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API