Comparing the latest JBL Charge 6 speaker with the Flip 7, the Charge 6 is larger and heavier at 960 grams and houses a more powerful setup with a 52 x 90 mm woofer and a 20 mm tweeter, delivering 40W total (30W + 10W). In contrast, the Flip 7 is more compact and lighter at around 600 grams, with a dual passive radiator system and a full-range driver setup pushing about 30W of output. I noticed the Charge 6 has deeper bass and more headroom, which fits better for outdoor listening or larger spaces.
Both speakers now use Bluetooth 5.3 and support LE Audio (pending firmware updates), but the Charge 6 adds a USB-C audio input while the Flip 7 doesn’t—it’s more focused on portability and quick wireless use. Battery life also favors the Charge 6 with up to 20 hours versus the Flip 7’s 12 hours, which makes a difference on longer trips. So while both are waterproof (IP67) and share a rugged design, I’d say the Charge 6 is the better pick for sound quality and versatility, while the Flip 7 is more about convenience and compactness.
Specs Comparison
The JBL Charge 6 is physically larger and heavier than the Flip 7—it weighs about 960 grams and measures around 220 mm wide, which makes it feel more planted when placed on a surface. The Flip 7 is more compact at roughly 600 grams and fits more easily into one hand or the side pocket of a backpack. In terms of drivers, the Charge 6 uses a 52 x 90 mm racetrack-style woofer paired with a 20 mm tweeter, powered by separate amps delivering 30 watts and 10 watts respectively. The Flip 7 uses a full-range driver system with dual passive radiators and pushes around 30 watts in total, though without the split design you get in the Charge series.
I found that both now run on Bluetooth 5.3, and while neither currently supports LE Audio out of the box, it’s something JBL says will be added through firmware updates. What sets the Charge 6 apart is that it includes a USB-C audio input—so I could actually use it as a wired speaker in a pinch—which the Flip 7 doesn’t offer. The Flip 7 sticks with wireless-only playback and prioritizes simplicity and portability. Battery life is another key difference. The Charge 6 packs a 7500mAh battery rated for up to 20 hours of playback, while the Flip 7 offers around 12 hours with its smaller internal battery. During a day out, I noticed the Charge 6 still had juice left long after the Flip 7 needed to be recharged. Both have the same IP67 rating, so I didn’t worry about dust or water with either, and both had solid build quality with tight fabric mesh and rubberized passive radiator caps. But if I had to pick based on specs alone, I’d lean toward the Charge 6 for its longer stamina, dual driver design, and extra input flexibility.
Table Comparison
| Specification | JBL Charge 6 | JBL Flip 7 |
| Power Output | 30W (woofer) + 10W (tweeter) = 40W RMS | 30W RMS (full-range driver) |
| Driver Configuration | 52 x 90 mm woofer + 20 mm tweeter | Single full-range driver + dual radiators |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 (LE Audio support via update) | 5.3 (LE Audio support via update) |
| Audio Input | USB-C (wired playback supported) | No audio input |
| Battery Capacity | 7500mAh | Estimated ~4800mAh (not officially listed) |
| Playback Time | Up to 20 hours | Up to 12 hours |
| Charging Port | USB-C with Power Delivery | USB-C |
| Powerbank Function | Yes (USB-C output) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 (waterproof and dustproof) | IP67 (waterproof and dustproof) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 220 x 96 x 94 mm | 178 x 68 x 72 mm |
| Weight | 960 g | 600 g |
| Stereo Pairing | JBL PartyBoost | JBL PartyBoost |
Specs Comparison
The first track I tested was “Lose Yourself to Dance” by Daft Punk, and right away the difference in low-end weight was obvious. The Charge 6 with its 52 x 90 mm woofer and 30W output handled the bass guitar and kick drum with more depth and authority. The Flip 7, while punchy for its size, felt tighter but less full—it didn’t quite carry the same weight through the lower mids. Both speakers have decent clarity at moderate volumes, but when I pushed them past 70 percent, the Flip 7 started to lose a bit of control while the Charge 6 still held its shape. The stereo separation also felt wider on the Charge 6, probably because of the tweeter (20 mm, 10W) giving it more room to shape the upper range.
I switched over to “Gravity” by John Mayer to hear how both speakers handled softer instruments and vocal nuances. The Flip 7 had a warm and forward presentation, and it did surprisingly well with Mayer’s voice. But on the Charge 6, I noticed more texture in the electric guitar, especially in the clean tones and background layering. His voice also sat a bit more naturally in the mix. It’s not a huge difference, but the Charge 6 had that extra level of detail that made longer listening sessions feel more relaxed. I also felt the dynamics were better controlled—on the Flip 7, when the song swelled near the chorus, it felt more compressed and less nuanced compared to the more open response of the Charge 6.
To wrap up, I played “Rosalía – Despechá” which has a bright, percussive mix with fast transitions. The Flip 7 handled it with energy and sharp timing, and for its size it was fun to listen to. But on the Charge 6, the congas and layered backing vocals were easier to separate, and the treble had more clarity without turning harsh. The Bluetooth 5.3 connection on both was solid throughout, but the Charge 6’s tweeter helped give more air to the highs which made pop tracks feel more expansive. In the end, I’d say the Flip 7 performs well for its size, but the Charge 6 delivers a richer, more complete sound with better balance across the spectrum.
Design Comparison
The JBL Charge 6 feels more rugged and heavier —it weighs about 960 grams and stretches close to 22 centimeters in width. The Flip 7 is clearly more compact at just under 600 grams and about 18 centimeters long, which makes it easier to carry around in one hand or slide into a smaller bag. Both are wrapped in JBL’s usual fabric mesh that feels rugged without being abrasive. The rubberized accents on the passive radiators have a nice grip, and both held up fine when I set them down on wet stone by the pool. They share the same IP67 rating, so I wasn’t too worried about splashes or sand when I tested them outdoors.
Looking at the port design, the Charge 6 felt a bit more refined. It now uses a USB-C port that supports both charging and audio input, which means I could connect a wired source without any adapters. The Flip 7 sticks to a USB-C port for charging only—there’s no wired audio option here, which made it feel a bit more minimal. Both have physical buttons on top, slightly raised through the fabric layer. The layout is familiar and tactile on both speakers, though I found the Charge 6 buttons to be slightly stiffer, which gave me more control when adjusting playback. JBL’s PartyBoost pairing button is still present on both, but I didn’t use it much during solo listening.
The Flip 7 looks sleeker and more sleek with its smaller profile and rounded ends. The Charge 6 has a more rugged build, with a slightly flattened base that keeps it steady on uneven surfaces. Both speakers are available in a mix of classic and vibrant colors, though I was testing black models for each. I like how both maintain the cylindrical form that JBL has stuck with over the years—it feels stable, familiar and easy to hold. Overall, the Charge 6 feels more substantial while the Flip 7 leans into portability. Neither felt fragile in use, but I’d trust the Charge 6 more for rougher outdoor handling just because of its added weight and size.
The Verdict?
Personally, I would go with the JBL Charge 6. It has more power under the hood with its 30W woofer and 10W tweeter combination, and during testing I could hear the difference—especially when playing tracks like “Lose Yourself to Dance” or “Despechá.” The Charge 6 delivered fuller bass and more separation in the highs, which made it easier to enjoy layered mixes without everything blending together. I also appreciated the USB-C audio input, which gave me the flexibility to plug it in directly when I didn’t want to rely on Bluetooth. With a larger battery rated for 20 hours and a USB-C Power Delivery port, it just felt like a more complete speaker for longer use and varied situations.
That said, I think the Flip 7 makes sense if you need something smaller and lighter without giving up too much sound quality. It’s more compact, easier to carry, and still gets loud enough for personal use or casual outdoor hangs. But if sound performance and battery life matter more—and you don’t mind carrying a bit of extra weight—I’d choose the Charge 6. It just sounds more open, more balanced, and lasts longer. Between the two, I think the Charge 6 is the better all-round speaker.