If you have already settled on JBL, the question is which model to buy. This guide compares eight JBL wireless Bluetooth speakers on Amazon Australia, from palm sized Go models to the PartyBox, using only what each listing says and how each one is rated.
These are portable and party speakers. JBL soundbars and speaker bars are a different product, so for those see our soundbar guide. If you are open to other brands, our Bluetooth speaker guide compares them side by side.
Best JBL speaker overall: JBL Flip 6
Best JBL speaker overall: the JBL Flip 6, because it is the most rated JBL speaker here and combines IP67 waterproof and dustproof protection, up to 12 hours of playtime and an easy to carry size.
The Flip 6 is the JBL to buy if you want one speaker for the deck, the park and the pool. The listing describes IP67 waterproof and dustproof protection, up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, and a bold design that is big sounding yet easy to carry. You can stand it vertical or horizontal, and PartyBoost pairs two compatible JBL speakers for stereo sound or links several for a party. It holds 4.7 stars from 20,071 ratings, the most of any model here, and that count may be shared across Flip 6 colours.
It suits most households, from a first speaker to a gift. The honest catch: the Flip 7 is the newer model with a longer battery and more features, and the Flip 6 listing does not mention drop proofing.
Best JBL speaker to clip on a bag: JBL Clip 5
Best JBL speaker to clip on a bag: the JBL Clip 5, because its integrated carabiner clips to a backpack or belt loop and it still gives up to 12 hours of playtime.
The Clip 5 is the one that goes everywhere with you. The listing describes an ultra portable speaker with JBL Pro Sound and punchy bass, a redesigned carabiner with a much wider opening, IP67 waterproof and dustproof protection, and up to 12 hours of playtime plus up to 3 hours with Playtime Boost. Auracast pairs two Clip 5 speakers for stereo sound. It holds 4.7 stars from 8,870 ratings, a count that is likely pooled across colours.
It suits hikers, cyclists and anyone who wants music on a bag strap. The honest catch: it is the small clip on speaker, and the Flip 7, Charge 6 and Xtreme 4 list more hours of playtime.
Best newer JBL Flip: JBL Flip 7
Best newer JBL Flip: the JBL Flip 7, because the listing gives up to 16 hours of playtime, AI Sound Boost, Auracast and a drop proof build.
The Flip 7 is the next step on from the Flip 6. The listing describes bold JBL Pro Sound with AI Sound Boost, up to 16 hours of playtime, multi speaker connection by Auracast, and a waterproof, dustproof and drop proof build. It also lists a PushLock system with interchangeable accessories, lossless audio playback and the JBL Portable app. It holds 4.6 stars from 4,036 ratings.
It suits anyone who wants the listed Flip 7 features and will use the longer battery. The honest catch: it costs noticeably more than the Flip 6 and has far fewer ratings.
Best JBL speaker for battery life: JBL Charge 6
Best JBL speaker for battery life: the JBL Charge 6, because the listing gives up to 28 hours of playtime and a built in powerbank.
The Charge 6 is built for long days away from a power point. The listing describes powerful JBL Pro Sound with AI Sound Boost, up to 28 hours of playtime, Auracast multi speaker connection, a waterproof, dustproof and drop proof build, a sturdy handle strap and a built in powerbank. Lossless audio playback and the JBL Portable app are also listed. It holds 4.7 stars from 6,120 ratings on this red listing, and the black Charge 6 is listed separately with its own count.
It suits camping trips, long weekends and anyone who wants the speaker to top up a phone. The honest catch: it costs more than twice as much as the Flip 6, so it is worth it only if you will use the battery.
Best palm size JBL speaker with lights: JBL Go 5
Best palm size JBL speaker with lights: the JBL Go 5, because it pairs a 4.7 star rating with ambient edge lighting and up to 10 hours with Playtime Boost.
The Go 5 is the small one with a bit of personality. The listing describes big sound in the palm of your hand, mood boosting ambient edge lighting, up to 10 hours with Playtime Boost, and all the proofs for dust, water and drop. AirTouch instant stereo pairing, Auracast, lossless playback and the JBL Portable app are listed, and it is compatible with the JBL EasySing Mic Mini. It holds 4.7 stars from 1,623 ratings.
It suits a bedroom, a school bag or a teenager's first speaker. The honest catch: it is sized for the palm of your hand, so for a big outdoor space look at the Xtreme 4 or the PartyBox.
Best cheap JBL speaker: JBL Go Essential 2
Best cheap JBL speaker: the JBL Go Essential 2, because it is the lowest priced speaker here and is still IP67 waterproof and dustproof with JBL sound.
The Go Essential 2 is the cheapest way into JBL on this page. The listing describes rich original JBL Pro Sound, IP67 waterproof and dustproof protection, wireless Bluetooth streaming and 5 hours of playtime. It holds 4.6 stars from 2,096 ratings.
It suits a first speaker, a kid's room or a spare for the shower or the beach bag. The honest catch: the listing gives only 5 hours of playtime, the shortest of the eight.
Best JBL party speaker: JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2
Best JBL party speaker: the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2, because it holds the top rating here and adds a lightshow, mic and guitar inputs and up to 15 hours of play time.
The PartyBox Encore Essential 2 is the one for a backyard get together. The listing describes JBL Pro Sound with an AI Sound Boost, a dynamic lightshow, up to 15 hours of play time, Auracast multi speaker connection, mic and guitar inputs, and control from the JBL PartyBox App. It holds 4.8 stars from 1,312 ratings, the highest rating on this page.
It suits birthdays, barbecues and anyone who wants to sing or play along. The honest catch: it is rated IPX4 splash proof, a lower rating than the IP67 speakers, and it costs the most of the eight.
Best JBL speaker for big portable sound: JBL Xtreme 4
Best JBL speaker for big portable sound: the JBL Xtreme 4, because the listing gives two woofers, two drivers and dual JBL Bass radiators with up to 24 hours of battery life and a shoulder strap.
The Xtreme 4 listing promises next level massive JBL Pro Sound from two woofers and a shoulder strap. The listing describes up to 24 hours of playtime plus 6 hours with Playtime Boost, a strap that can be carried on the shoulder or adjusted as crossbody, a built in powerbank that charges your devices, AI Sound Boost and IP67 certified waterproof and dustproof protection. It holds 4.6 stars from only 44 ratings.
It suits beach days, camping and outdoor gatherings where you want a shoulder strap and a built in powerbank. The honest catch: only 44 ratings so far, which is a thin count to judge it on, and it costs about three times a Flip 6.
How to choose a JBL speaker
The JBL model line up at a glance
Here is how the eight models compare, using the key figures from each listing.
| Model | What it is for | Key listing specs |
|---|
| Flip 6 | Everyday all rounder | IP67, up to 12 hours, PartyBoost |
| Clip 5 | Clips to a bag | IP67, carabiner, up to 12 hours plus up to 3 with Playtime Boost |
| Flip 7 | Newer Flip | Up to 16 hours, AI Sound Boost, Auracast, drop proof |
| Charge 6 | Long battery, phone top up | Up to 28 hours, built in powerbank, drop proof |
| Go 5 | Palm size with lights | Up to 10 hours with Playtime Boost, edge lighting |
| Go Essential 2 | Tight budget | IP67, 5 hours |
| PartyBox Encore Essential 2 | Parties | Up to 15 hours, lightshow, mic and guitar inputs, IPX4 |
| Xtreme 4 | Big portable sound | Up to 24 plus 6 hours, shoulder strap, IP67 |
How to read the JBL model names
JBL names each line for its job. Go is the palm sized end of the range, as the Go 5 listing puts it. Clip has a carabiner built in. Flip is the everyday speaker you can stand vertical or horizontal. Charge has a built in powerbank, and Xtreme adds two woofers and a shoulder strap. PartyBox is the party range with lights and mic inputs. The number is the version, so the Flip 7 is newer than the Flip 6. Essential 2 is a separate, cheaper entry in the Go line.
Match the speaker to where you will use it
Think about where it will sit. The Clip 5 has an integrated carabiner for a bag, and the Go 5 listing describes palm size. A Flip 6 or Flip 7 works on a table, a deck or a beach towel. The Charge 6 and Xtreme 4 suit a campsite or a long day out, and the PartyBox suits a backyard gathering. If the speaker is mostly for the lounge room TV, a soundbar is the better tool, and our soundbar guide covers that.
Battery life: what the listings say
Playtime figures are each listing's own up to claims. The Charge 6 lists up to 28 hours, the Xtreme 4 up to 24 hours plus 6 with Playtime Boost (up to 30 hours in all, against up to 28 for the Charge 6), the Flip 7 up to 16, the PartyBox up to 15, the Flip 6 and Clip 5 up to 12, the Go 5 up to 10 with Playtime Boost and the Go Essential 2 5 hours. If you charge the speaker every few days, the gap matters less than size and sound.
Waterproof and dustproof ratings
IP67 is the rating the Flip 6, Clip 5, Go Essential 2 and Xtreme 4 listings give. The Flip 7 and Charge 6 are listed as waterproof, dustproof and drop proof, and the Go 5 as all the proofs for dust, water and drop. The PartyBox is IPX4 splash proof, a different and lower level, so read the exact wording before you take a speaker near the water.
Pairing more than one speaker
Several JBL speakers can link up for bigger sound. The Flip 6 uses PartyBoost, while the Clip 5, Flip 7, Charge 6, Go 5 and PartyBox list Auracast. The Go 5 also lists AirTouch instant stereo pairing. The listings say compatible speakers pair, so check that the models you want to link share the same pairing feature.
Budget: where the extra money goes
The Go Essential 2 and Go 5 are the lowest priced here, and the Flip 6 and Clip 5 sit in the middle. The Flip 7, Charge 6 and Xtreme 4 cost more, and the PartyBox costs the most. Extra money buys battery life, AI Sound Boost, drop proofing or a bigger sound, so pay for the feature you will actually use.
Frequently asked questions
Which JBL Bluetooth speaker is best?
For most people the JBL Flip 6 is the best JBL Bluetooth speaker here. The listing gives IP67 waterproof and dustproof protection and up to 12 hours of playtime, and it has the most ratings of any model on this page. Choose the Clip 5 to clip to a bag, or the Charge 6 for battery life.
What is the difference between the JBL Flip 6 and Flip 7?
The Flip 7 is the newer model. Its listing gives up to 16 hours of playtime, AI Sound Boost, Auracast, a drop proof build and PushLock accessories. The Flip 6 listing gives up to 12 hours and PartyBoost pairing. The Flip 6 has far more ratings and costs less, so it stays our pick.
Which is the best portable JBL speaker?
The Clip 5 and Go 5 are the portable picks here. The Clip 5 has an integrated carabiner for a backpack or belt loop, and the Go 5 listing describes big sound in the palm of your hand with ambient edge lighting. Both hold 4.7 stars, while the Flip 6 is the better all rounder.
Which JBL speaker has the longest battery life?
The Charge 6 listing gives up to 28 hours of playtime and a built in powerbank. The Xtreme 4 listing gives up to 24 hours plus 6 more with Playtime Boost, up to 30 in all. The Flip 7 lists up to 16 hours, the Flip 6 up to 12 and the Go Essential 2 just 5 hours.
Which JBL speaker is best for a party?
The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 is the party pick here. Its listing describes a dynamic lightshow, mic and guitar inputs, Auracast multi speaker connection and up to 15 hours of play time, and it holds 4.8 stars. For a carry around speaker instead, the Xtreme 4 adds a shoulder strap and two woofers.
What is the cheapest JBL speaker worth buying?
The JBL Go Essential 2 is the lowest priced speaker on this page, and its listing still gives IP67 waterproof and dustproof protection with 4.6 stars from 2,096 ratings. The catch is 5 hours of playtime. The Go 5 costs more but lists up to 10 hours with Playtime Boost and edge lighting.
Which JBL Go speaker should I buy?
This page compares the Go 5 and the Go Essential 2. The Go 5 adds ambient edge lighting, AirTouch stereo pairing and up to 10 hours with Playtime Boost, and the Go Essential 2 is the cheaper one with 5 hours. We did not compare the Go 4, and the Go 5 is the next number in the line.
Are JBL speakers waterproof?
Most of them are. The Flip 6, Clip 5, Go Essential 2 and Xtreme 4 are listed as IP67 waterproof and dustproof, the Flip 7 and Charge 6 as waterproof, dustproof and drop proof, and the Go 5 as all the proofs. The PartyBox Encore Essential 2 is only IPX4 splash proof, according to its listing.
Is a JBL speaker bar the same as a Bluetooth speaker?
No. A speaker bar is a soundbar that sits under a TV, while the speakers here are portable Bluetooth models such as the Flip 6 and Charge 6. If you want sound for the lounge room TV, see our soundbar guide. If you want music at the beach or on the deck, start with the Flip 6.
