If you are planning to upgrade your existing Bluetooth speaker, then today, we have some good news for you. We are going to be discussing about two fantastic models that are popular in the market today.
They are the Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition Bluetooth Speaker vs the JBL FLIP 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Users tremendously use these two models all over the world. Bose, as you know, is one of the most popular brands in the music segment.
They are known for their headphones that are capable of providing you with a second to none noise cancellation feature. Besides, the German maker is also popular for its Bluetooth speakers.
Likewise, JBL too is a popular manufacturer of electronic products. They are typically known because of their high-quality and stylish finish. The speakers offer you lively and entertaining sounds coming with ample bass in them.
The maker is part of Harmon International Industries. They are famous for speakers, headphones, and other products. Harmon is also known for producing Harmon Kardon and AKG products.
Moreover, they are a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. As far as experience goes, they are second to none in that aspect. The Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker has been discontinued. Hence, the Bose SoundLink Mini II Bluetooth speaker.
The previous model was amazing and came with splendid features. Though it was not the best in the market, the appearance, rich sound, and size made it a popular option among consumers.
Sadly, it came with low battery life, and there was no speakerphone on it. Thankfully the makers noticed that and rectified it in the form of the Mini II model. It has a good battery life microphone and has retained the looks.
The JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth speaker is an amazing model to own and have. The unit is from the Flip series that has been running in the market since 2019. It is a successor to the Flip 4 model that was very popular because of some fantastic features.
However, can the Flip 5 make a cut for itself with so many phenomenal speakers on the market? Similarly, can the SoundLink Mini 2 have the same weight as the original when it first came?
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 |  |
|---|---|
| BOSE SOUNDLINK MINI II | JBL FLIP 5 |
| PROS | PROS |
| The model comes with great build quality. It can automatically switch to AUX mode if connected through a cable. The unit provides you with an eloquent sound performance. It can be paired with two Bluetooth devices. The product features a built-in microphone for taking calls. | The design is opulent and sleek. The unit comes with a waterproof rating. It offers you outstanding sound performance. It has the ability to pair with several JBL speakers. The speaker comes with more than 10 color patterns for you to choose from. |
| CONS | CONS |
| The speaker does not come with the aptX or NFC. | The speaker requires compatible models to use Party Boost. |
| CHECK ON AMAZON | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Bose SoundLink Mini II vs JBL Flip 5: Design & Features
Both Bose and JBL are known for their design quality. Moreover, their products come with exceptional features infused in them. Let us read and out which one has the better design in them.
The Bose SoundLink Mini II Bluetooth speaker has an elegant design and mind-blowing appearance. The moment you open the package, you can find a medium to the heavy speaker. That is a good sign from the maker.
Bose products have a design and feel that make them stand out. No surprises in there. Our tester noticed that the model is somewhat heavy. But you do not have to worry about it. Having said that, it is sleek and compact.
It has a premium look and feels to it. This feature is something that you normally do not find in speakers. They are just designed with very simple aesthetics. That is about it. The Bose logo has been nicely designed on the speaker of the unit.
It gives a dazzling feeling. In the front of the speaker, you can find a metal mesh and the little function buttons there. There is the volume up and down buttons. Besides, you can also find the multi-function button, Bluetooth button, and power button.
At the rear of the unit, you can find another metal mesh that ensures protection for the model if it rolls over on the back. The chances of that happening are very minimum. On the side of the model, you can find ports that include the aux port and a charging port.
It is a small compact speaker and does not take up a lot of space. You can place it on your table, on your dining table, on your bed, just about anywhere. Besides, it has an eloquent appearance that makes its presence felt everywhere.
You can proudly display it to your friends if you want. All in all, the model’s design comes with an opulent display and its sleek tones. Bose has done a phenomenal job here with this model. The JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth speaker comes with an amazing cylindrical design.
This design is commonly used in most models. Moreover, you can find it loaded with several features in it. Design-wise it is similar in appearance to the JBL Flip 4 speaker. The most notable feature of the JBL model is the water-resistant feature in them.
You can now remain calm when you notice your speaker falls inside the pool or water. It has the IPX7 rating and can remain submerged up to 3-feet of water. Besides, we liked the fact that it is available in more than 10 colors.
How often do you find a speaker that can be got in several attractive colors? Yes, you can usually get them in black, red, or blue. That is about it. This model comes in green, red, pink, yellow, and camouflage color (our favorite).
You can notice that the buttons on the speaker are at the back of it. They are accessible. You can see the USB-C charging port too. However, we felt that the buttons kind of stick out, making them look a bit odd.
Though there is nothing wrong with that, it sort of ruins the chiseled looks. As the buttons are of the same color as the speaker, you can find it extremely challenging to use them in the dark. The buttons come with LEDs and are helpful when using them in a low-lit environment.
You can find a fabric material that covers the surface of the speaker grill. Not to mention, there is also a JBL logo found in the middle. On Flip 4, the battery LED indicator came with a dot design; here is more of a line.
If the line is full, that means your battery charge is full. Not to mention, the line helps you understand the level of the battery when you charge the device. Besides, the USB-C charging port is uncovered.
Though we liked the design and number of features in the unit, we strongly felt that the maker could have done more from a design perspective. It is similar in looks to the previous model, and at times, you may not feel as if you are holding something new in your hands.
You can rest assured about the quality of the Flip 5 speaker. They are rugged in design and most ideal for trekking and rough use. It is suitable for use next to the swimming pool, at beach parties, and even on hiking trips.
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Bose SoundLink Mini II vs JBL Flip 5: Sound Quality
The sound quality is the most critical aspect of any Bluetooth speaker. Unless it can capture those moments when you are listening, you may not be interested in it. However, we have exceptional models here in the form of Bose and JBL, two powerhouses.
Let us find out more about the audio performance. The Bose SoundLink Mini II Bluetooth speaker provides you with outstanding sound quality. That was surprising considering the fact that it is a compact speaker.
You can hear the highs and mids perfectly. That is what you want from a speaker. Besides, the vocals and instruments are audible too. Remember, we are discussing a speaker here. That is highly impressive.
There is no distortion of the noise. However, if you keep it on high, then it can sound a bit slippery on some notes. It can be slightly annoying. But that is expected from any speaker, frankly speaking.
It has a remarkable battery life of 12 hours that enables you to listen to all of your favorite songs. However, if you are going to hear at high volume, then you can take away a few hours from there.
The JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth speaker offers you a phenomenal sound performance. We were happy to hear the sound coming out from the model. You would love to listen to that kind of music.
This is what happens when you get yourself a model that provides opulent sound quality. It can provide tremendous sound performance for a small-sized room. We are not sure about the volume quality outdoors.
Since it is a waterproof model, you can use it outdoors without much difficulty. This is one of the USPs of the model. It is rugged in design, and you can listen to music in your drawing room, outdoor pool, beach, and even on top of a snow-clad mountain.
That is not going to cause any issues for the speaker. How often do you get to hear that? In our opinion, other manufacturers must seriously consider having the IPX7 feature on their products.
The previous model had dual transducers, but this comes with a single but larger transducer. Sadly, we did not note the 3.5mm auxiliary jack on this model. You can only connect to other devices with Bluetooth.
Probably, the maker wants users to rely more on technology, which is a good thing here. The Bluetooth 4.2 works just as it is supposed to. You can use it for close to 50 meters without having any problem.
It can connect to 2 devices using Bluetooth. That is an interesting feature that we tried out. Our tester used the model on the laptop and tablet simultaneously. It worked flawlessly though it did take some time to connect.
It probably had to do with the signal issue present at that time. But if your internet is quick, you can stream music and videos at your leisure. It supports the SBC codec and does not come with a microphone, unlike the Bose model. That was a slight letdown.
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Bose SoundLink Mini II vs JBL Flip 5: Price
The Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition Bluetooth Speaker is priced under $179. From a price point, it is somewhat expensive. That is always the case with Bose. Most of their products are pricey because the materials used are top-notch.
That means they are durable. So, you can use this model for 8-10 years easily. Besides, their warranties are stellar and much better than most manufacturers who don’t go beyond a few years.
The bass response and the sound performance of the speaker are astounding. Users have commended the model for that. It can easily fill a small room. However, you may want to expect the same performance outdoors.
The unit comes with a rear-facing bass port. You can pair it with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, and it comes with a built-in microphone. You can answer calls using the speaker.
The JBL FLIP 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker is priced under $130. The model is infused with the awesome JBL original pro sound quality. You can feel the sound quality emanating from it.
Perhaps, this is the main reason why users recommend JBL products. The design of the unit is portable. You can place the speaker on your wrist and move around effortlessly. The material used in producing it is fantastic.
It is quite rugged and durable. The unit comes with 12 hours of playtime. It also comes with the Bluetooth streaming feature. Using it, you can now wirelessly stream music from your smartphone, tablet, and other devices that have Bluetooth with them.
Additionally, it has an IPX7 rating. You can take it with you to the swimming pool for a party or even the beach without worrying about water falling on it. This model gives you fearless outdoor entertainment.
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Bose SoundLink Mini II vs JBL Flip 5: Verdict
We have come to the end of our comparison review between the Bose SoundLink Mini II Special Edition Bluetooth Speaker vs the JBL FLIP 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker. We hope that you enjoyed reading it and were able to decide.
If you have not, then you can read the post again. Perhaps, you may have missed on something. The Bose SoundLink Mini II Bluetooth speaker is an exceptional choice to make for a speaker. The unit comes with a splendid battery, sound quality, and has a microphone.
It is lightweight and portable, having a low profile. You can place it anywhere you want to. Not to mention, it does not fall off that easily because of its amazing design. The JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth speaker is an awesome choice for a speaker.
Though it is small in size, the power of the sound is terrific. Though USB charging works fantastic on the model, few users have complained about the separate charging mode. Though JBL has excellent products, if this is your first speaker, it should be right on top of the list.
The Bose SoundLink Mini II Bluetooth speaker has stereo speakers, 42.12% less body volume, and 2 more drivers. It also has an AUX input, has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack, and a better manufacturer’s warranty.
It also has voice commands and a detachable cable. The JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth speaker is the better model because it comes with dustproof and water-resistant, 2h longer battery life, and 1.5 hours shorter charge time.
It also has 1 meter more wireless connectivity range, has USB Type-C, and has a sleep timer. Our winner in this comparison review between Bose SoundLink Mini II speaker vs JBL Flip 5 speaker is the Bose model.
It is worth the shot if you are willing to shell out more that comes sleek in design and offers a better sound quality. The speaker can connect with other devices, you can also attend calls, and you can listen to your favorite music.
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James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.