The JBL Flip 5 is a 540 g portable Bluetooth speaker built around one racetrack-shaped driver. It suits pool days, beach trips and rainy walks, because JBL rates it IPX7 waterproof up to three feet deep. JBL lists 20W RMS of output and up to 12 hours of playtime spec sheet.
JBL Flip 5 at a glance
20W RMS
Output power
UP TO
12hours
Playtime
IPX7
Waterproof rating
540g
Weight
JBL lists these specs on its Flip 5 product page, its English spec sheet and the quick start guide JBLspec sheetmanual.
Output power
20W RMS
Playtime
Up to 12 hours
Charging time
2.5 hours (5V/3A)
Battery
Lithium-ion polymer 17.28Wh (3.6V, 4800mAh)
Driver
One 44 x 80 mm racetrack-shaped driver
Frequency response
65Hz to 20kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio
>80dB
Waterproof rating
IPX7, up to three feet deep
Bluetooth version
4.2 (A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.6)
Size (W x D x H)
181 x 69 x 74 mm
Weight
540 g
Multi-speaker
PartyBoost
Colors
11 color options
In the box
Speaker, Type C USB cable, quick start guide, warranty card, safety sheet
How many watts is the JBL Flip 5?
The Flip 5 is rated at 20W RMS, from a single 44 x 80 mm racetrack-shaped driver spec sheet. JBL says that shape delivers high output and booming bass in a compact package JBL.
What Bluetooth version does the JBL Flip 5 use?
The Flip 5 uses Bluetooth 4.2, with the A2DP V1.3 and AVRCP V1.6 profiles spec sheet. The transmitter runs between 2.402 and 2.480GHz at 0 to 11dBm.
How long does the JBL Flip 5 take to charge?
A full charge takes 2.5 hours with a 5V/3A supply manual. The battery holds 17.28Wh, which JBL gives as the equivalent of 3.6V and 4800mAh.
How big is the JBL Flip 5?
JBL lists 181 x 69 x 74 mm and 540 g spec sheet. That is about 18 cm long, which matches the 18 x 7.4 x 6.9 cm on JBL's product page JBL.
JBL Flip 5 or Flip 5 Eco edition?
Both speakers share the same driver, power, battery and IPX7 rating. The Eco edition is made from 90% recycled plastic, and its spec sheet leaves out the 11 color options spec sheet.
PartyBoost links to other PartyBoost speakers, not to older Connect or Connect+ models. JBL says you will not be able to connect a PartyBoost Flip 5 with a Connect+ speaker such as the Pulse 3 or the Flip 4, so check the feature name on the speaker you already own JBL.
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The box holds a Type C USB cable, and JBL does not list a wall charger with it. Use a supply you already have, and keep its output at 5V/3A or lower, which is the limit JBL prints in the quick start guide spec sheetmanual.
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The IPX7 rating covers water, and JBL lists no dust rating for the Flip 5. For sand and dust as well as water, the Flip 6 is rated IP67 and the Flip 7 is rated IP68 spec sheetspec sheet.
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Water and the charging cable must not meet. JBL writes that you should remove the cable before the Flip 5 goes near liquid, because water during charging may permanently damage the speaker or the power source manual.
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The 12 hour figure moves with volume and content. JBL prints "up to 12 hours (varies by volume level and audio content)", so plan on less at party volume spec sheet.
How the JBL Flip 5 compares
JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 6
The Flip 5 uses one racetrack driver for 20W RMS, and the Flip 6 adds a separate 16 mm tweeter for another 10W RMS. The Flip 6 also moves up to Bluetooth 5.1 and an IP67 water and dust rating spec sheet.
By our maths, the Flip 5 is 10 g lighter than the Flip 6, which is under 2% of the weight.
JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 7
The Flip 7 is the newest model, and JBL lists more power, more hours and a tougher body for it. The Flip 5 keeps PartyBoost, while the Flip 7 moves to Auracast for multi-speaker sound spec sheet.
Both speakers carry a 12 hour battery, so the split is in the ratings and the extras. The Bose SoundLink Flex is rated IP67, floats and holds a microphone, while the Flip 5 charges in 2.5 hours and links to other PartyBoost speakers Bose.
Yes, JBL rates the Flip 5 IPX7 waterproof up to three feet deep JBL. The quick start guide puts the same rating as 1 meter for 30 minutes manual. JBL names the pool party, the sudden cloudburst and the beach as the places it is built for.
IPX7 is a water rating, and JBL lists no dust rating for this model. The body is a durable fabric with a rugged rubber housing, which JBL says keeps the speaker safe outdoors spec sheet.
Before you start
Unplug the cable before the Flip 5 goes near liquid, and never charge it while it is wet manual.
How loud is the JBL Flip 5?
JBL rates the Flip 5 at 20W RMS, which it calls high output for a speaker this size spec sheet. The sound comes from one racetrack-shaped driver of 44 x 80 mm.
The frequency response runs from 65Hz to 20kHz, with a signal-to-noise ratio above 80dB. JBL describes the result as booming bass in a compact package JBL.
Battery life and charging
JBL lists up to 12 hours of playtime, and says the real figure varies with volume level and audio content spec sheet. The battery is a 17.28Wh lithium-ion polymer pack, the equivalent of 3.6V and 4800mAh.
A full charge takes 2.5 hours at 5V/3A, over the Type C USB cable in the box manual. The quick start guide marks the charge level on the speaker at 20%, 50% and 100%.
Tip
Charge the Flip 5 fully at least once every 3 months to prolong the battery lifespan manual.
PartyBoost and pairing two speakers
PartyBoost pairs two JBL PartyBoost-compatible speakers for stereo sound, or links several of them for a bigger party JBL. JBL puts a PartyBoost button on the speaker for it manual.
The feature name matters when you shop. JBL says all newer portable products carry PartyBoost, and that it is not backwards compatible with models that use JBL Connect or Connect+ JBL.
What changed from the JBL Flip 4
The Flip 4 uses Connect+, and the Flip 5 moved to PartyBoost. JBL states that a PartyBoost Flip 5 will not connect to a Connect+ speaker such as the Flip 4 or the Pulse 3 JBL.
How to set up and use it
Charge the speaker with the Type C USB cable in the box, and keep the adapter output at 5V/3A or lower.
Press the power button once to turn the speaker on.
Press the Bluetooth button to make the Flip 5 discoverable.
On your phone, open Settings›Bluetooth and pick "JBL Flip 5" under your devices.
Wait for the speaker to show as connected, then press Play to start the music.
Press PartyBoost to link a second JBL PartyBoost-compatible speaker manual.
JBL points Flip 5 owners to the JBL Connect app for speaker configuration and software upgrades manual.
Care and quick fixes from the manual
How to clean the Flip 5
Hold the speaker under lukewarm water from the tap.
Rub any stains off with a microfiber cloth.
Keep alcohol and other solvents away from the fabric.
Let the charging port dry before you plug in a charger JBL.
If it will not charge
Check that the charging port is completely dry, because JBL says not to charge the speaker while the port is wet JBL.
Use the Type C USB cable that came in the box.
Check the adapter rating, because JBL caps the external adapter at 5V/3A.
Allow the full 2.5 hours for a charge at 5V/3A manual.
How to look after the battery
Charge the speaker fully at least once every 3 months.
Expect the battery life to vary with how you use it and where you keep it.
Remove the cable before the speaker goes near liquid manual.
JBL Flip 5 FAQ
How old is the JBL Flip 5?
JBL's English spec sheet for the Flip 5 carries a 2019 Harman copyright line spec sheet. The Flip 6 spec sheet carries a 2021 line, and the Flip 7 one carries 2025.
Can I pair a JBL Flip 5 with a Flip 6?
Both spec sheets list PartyBoost, and JBL says PartyBoost pairs two PartyBoost-compatible speakers for stereo sound or links several for a bigger party spec sheetJBL.
Can I pair a JBL Flip 5 with a Flip 7?
The Flip 7 spec sheet lists multi-speaker connection by Auracast, and the Flip 5 spec sheet lists PartyBoost spec sheet. For a stereo pair, match the Flip 5 with another PartyBoost speaker.
What colors does the JBL Flip 5 come in?
JBL lists 11 distinct color options for the Flip 5 spec sheet.
How much is the JBL Flip 5?
See today's price with the link above.
Where can I find the JBL Flip 5 manual?
JBL hosts the Flip 5 quick start guide as a PDF, with the tech spec table and the care notes manual.
The verdict
4/4 PASS
No. 019 · JBL Flip 5
Music anywhere, rain or shine.
The JBL Flip 5 suits people who want one small speaker that handles water and still fills a garden with sound. JBL pairs 20W RMS and a 44 x 80 mm racetrack driver with up to 12 hours of playtime, an IPX7 body and PartyBoost for a second speaker. Pick the Flip 6 or Flip 7 instead if you want a dust rating, a separate tweeter or more hours per charge.
4/4 PASS
