JBL Link Portable Vs JBL Flip 5 – Which One is Better?
Do you want to secure a portable speaker for entertainment? You should choose a portable speaker that will make you enjoy music and also look forward to another entertainment. JBL Link portable and JBL Flip 5 are among the top portable speakers to choose from. These two smart speakers are from the same manufacturer but have different features which make perform differently. It may be challenging to determine which one is better between these two.
This review will help determine which is better between JBL Link portable and JBL Flip 5. We will explore everything about these two portable speakers. This will give you an easy time choosing the best.
 |  |
|---|---|
| JBL Link Portable | JBL Flip 5 |
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
| PROS | PROS |
| This speaker has a stylish design. It is portable. Its speaker is projectable for medium and small rooms. It has Google voice assistant. | It comes with a fast charging USB cable. It is easy to operate. It’s audio sound is quality It is portable. |
| CONS | CONS |
| Its sound distorts when on full volume. Its battery duration period is short. | It lacks a voice assistant. Bluetooth is its only connectivity feature. |
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
JBL Link Portable
The JBL Link portable is rated as a mid-price portable speaker, manufactured by Harman international industries. It is allows you to enjoy music using both Wireless internet connection and Bluetooth. You can stream online music from different streaming platforms. Music can also be played directly from the Bluetooth paired devices.
The manufacturer of JBL Link portable purposely launched it to replace JBL Link 10. This assures you of improved battery life and sound quality when playing music. The most interesting part about JBL Link portable is its Google assistant. This speaker can also be connected to apple devices through Airplay 2. There is also a cradle you can rest JBL Link portable when charging.
JBL Flip 5
The JBL Flip 5 is an immediate replacement of JBL Flip 4 speaker model. It is an improvement of the previous version. JBL Flip 5 is for individuals who constantly want to enjoy their music. Its body is waterproof, allowing you to carry it on any climate. JBL Flip 5 can be charged through a USB cable, which is easily accessible at different households and premises.
JBL Flip 5 can be connected to various devices through Bluetooth. This allows you to play songs on your connected device through JBL Flip 5. This smart speaker can be used by individuals who love both indoor and outdoor activities. JBL Flip 5 also allows personalization as it comes in different colors. Many people know JBL Flip 5 for its easy to use interface that anyone can operate while playing music.
BATTERY
JBL Link Portable
You will find lithium polymer battery that is rechargeable, inside JBL Link portable packaging box. Lithium polymer batteries are quality, perform excellent and provide service for long when well maintained. The battery has a capacity of 4800 mAh and nominal voltage of 3.6V. It takes roughly 2.5 hours to fully charge the JBL Link portable battery.
A fully charged battery provides continuous music for up to 8 hours before the battery runs empty; depending on the kind of volume you are playing your music. You will use a USB charger or USB cable to recharge the battery.
JBL Flip 5
The Packaging box of JBL Flip 5 comes with a Lithium polymer battery with a nominal voltage of 3.6V and capacity of 4800 mAh. The high energy Lithium polymer battery has an excellent performance reputation and will last long if well maintained. Therefore, you don’t have to replace the battery.
The charging time of JBL Flip 5 battery is 2.5 hours for an empty battery to fully charge. Afterward, you will be in a position to play music for 12 hours before the battery runs empty.
AUDIO
JBL Link Portable
JBL Link portable is one of the smart speakers. It only supports audio formats such as Wav, Vorbis, Opus, Mp3, Flac, LPCM and AAC-LC, among others. JBL Link portable has a maximum sampling rate of 96 kHz, which is impressive for a portable speaker. This portable speaker also has an integrated audio amplifier that can distribute sound 360 degrees from its position.
The nominal output power of JBL Link portable speaker system is 20 Watt. You can also connect your speaker with others for room sharing if you want stereo like sound. The signal to noise ratio of JBL Link portable is 80db. This is an assurance you will enjoy your music despite the environment. The speaker system of JBL Link portable has a frequency response of 65- 20000 Hz.
This speaker also has full range driver that entails a woofer and tweeters. There is also a passive radiator inside this portable speaker. Therefore, you can play clear music on a medium sized room.
JBL Flip 5
JBL Flip 5 speaker system has a signal to noise ratio of 80 dB. This means your audio music is clear when played on any background, such as a noisy one. For music to be played; there should be Bluetooth connection between JBL Flip 5 and your device. The nominal output power of the speaker system is 20 Watt.
JBL Flip 5 speaker has a frequency response of 65HZ-20,000 KHZ. It also has a transducer that is 44*80 mm. The interesting part of this speaker is its full range driver that comprises tweeters and woofer. This is the reason you can clearly hear music you are playing while outside with your friends. JBL Flip 5 also has an integrated audio amplifier.
CONNECTIVITY
JBL Link Portable
The connectivity options of JBL Link portable give users individuals a range of entertainment to choose from. Airplay is one of the connectivity options JBL Link portable posses. It allows users to connect this speaker to Apple devices such as iphone, iPod and iPad. After connection, you can play music stored in any of the devices.
Chromecast is another connectivity feature found in JBL Link portable. It allows you to stream music from online platforms such as Pandora, Spotify, YouTube Music and iHeart Radio, among others when connected to wireless internet connection. You simply use your voice to control what you are playing through Google voice.
JBL Link portable also has Bluetooth version 4.2. This allows you to connect your speaker with devices that are 50 meters away. You can also pair JBL Link portable with multiple devices.
JBL Flip 5
JBL Flip 5 speaker can only be connected to other devices through Bluetooth. The Bluetooth version of JBL Flip 5 is 4.2. Your device must be connected to this speaker through Bluetooth to enjoy your music. Bluetooth version 4.2 uses less power and is faster in terms of connectivity. You should click the Bluetooth button that is next to the power button. There shall be a beeping sound to symbolize pairing mode. Afterward, pair it with your device and enjoy music.
DESIGN
JBL Link Portable
The JBL Link portable comes in different six different colors such as gray, blue and black, among others. You will notice JBL Link portable looks like a cylinder, with four round corners. The design gives users an easy time carrying it with their hands or packing it in their bag packs. JBL Link portable has a flat panel at the bottom that makes it stable and stand on its own.
The top part of this speaker looks like a speaker with a series of button. There are two volume buttons and Google voice assistant activation button at the top. JBL Link portable is flat and can be added a cradle for charging while it is standing upright. The remaining part of JBL Link portable is fitted with a cloth grille that is waterproof. You can insert the speaker in water with a depth of one meter for roughly 30 minutes.
There is a USB-C cradle port at the lower part of JBL Link portable you can use to charge it. A USB- C charging port is placed at the lower part of the speaker. There is power button, microphone off button and Bluetooth button on top of the USB charging port. There is also a wireless internet indicator that pops from the fabric
JBL Flip 5
The JBL Flip 5 looks like a thermal flask with supports on the side. The supports on its sides make it stable. You can also use it when upright. Its shape plus 540 grams weight allow users to place it on the bag and carry with hands. JBL Flip 5 also has a shoelace strap that allows it to be hung on various spots.
JBL Flip 5 is covered by a fabric material that makes is water resistant. The material can resist water for 30 minutes when exposed. There are bass radiators on both side of the speaker that are covered by a tough rubber. The rubber protects the radiators from sharp objects when packed.
There is Bluetooth and power button at the back of the speaker. The two buttons will light up immediately your JBL Flip 5 is turned on. There is also a USB-C input next to the two buttons for charging this speaker.
CONTROL
JBL Link Portable
You can control JBL Link portable in two ways. It can be physically using buttons or through Google voice assistant. There are physical buttons at the top of JBL Link portable you can use to physically operate it. The second option is the Google Voice assistant that requires wireless internet connection to operate. Simply say “Hello Google” plus your command and you will be in control. Google voice assistant allows you to stream music from different streaming platforms and get information while seated. There are microphones at different parts of JBL Link portable to clearly hear voice commands.
JBL Flip 5
The JBL Flip 5 can only be controlled by buttons. They are well arranged that anyone can easily control it. There is a power button and Bluetooth button at the back of JBL Flip 5 speaker. Power on your speaker and press the Bluetooth button. Pair the speaker with your device and play music.
WEIGHT
JBL Link Portable
The weight of JBL Link portable is 735 grams. It also has a dimension of 7.5*3.5*3.5. The dimensions are height, width and diameter, respectively. This ranks JBL Link portable into portable category. You will have an easy time carrying and maintaining it.
JBL Flip 5
The weight of JBL Flip 5 speaker is 540 grams. This speaker also has dimensions of 7.1*2.9*2.7, which represent height, width and diameter respectively. JBL Flip 5 also under light speakers because of its weight. This gives users an easy time carrying it from one place.
VOICE CALLS
JBL Link Portable
The JBL Link portable supports voice calls on contacts saved on the phone while still connected to the speaker through Bluetooth.
JBL Flip 5
You can’t make any calls with your phone while still connected to your JBL Flip 5 speaker.
Verdict
It is fair to state that JBL Link Portable is better than JBL Flip 5. JBL Link portable is one of the new generation smart speakers. It also has features that make music enjoyable. Invest in JBL Link portable and you will always look forward to using it during your free time.
