JBL
JBL Flip 7
An easy carry for the park or patio, at 1.23 lb. IP68 protection suits outdoor use, while USB-C audio adds a wired option alongside Bluetooth.
Bettr Score
78.7/100
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Portable Speakers
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JBL Flip 7 vs Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker
The short answer
Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker wins this comparison. Choose it if sound quality comes first. Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker has the higher sound-quality rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 8.4/10 versus 6.6/10.
Bose
Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker
Stereo sound, a rope carry handle and phone charging make this a practical backyard speaker. It offers up to 20 hours of playtime, with 4.7 lb to carry.
Bettr Score
91.6/100
Side-by-side specifications
| JBL Flip 7 | Specification | Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker |
|---|---|---|
$149.95 ✓ Winner | Reference price | $399 |
16 hours | Advertised battery life | 20 hours ✓ Winner |
1.23 lb ✓ Winner | Weight | 4.7 lb |
IP68 | Ingress protectionPersonal preference | IP67 |
5 ✓ Winner | Durability tier | 4 |
5.4 | Bluetooth versionPersonal preference | 5.3 |
No | Can charge another device | Yes ✓ Winner |
Yes ✓ Winner | USB audio input | No |
Yes ✓ Winner | Auracast or compatible broadcast pairing | No |
No | Floats in waterTie | No |
No | SpeakerphoneTie | No |
The buying advice
Which speaker fits you?
Who should choose JBL Flip 7?
Choose JBL Flip 7 if easy carrying matters most. JBL Flip 7 has the higher portability rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 7.5/10 versus 5.5/10. JBL Flip 7 weighs 1.23 lb versus 4.7 lb — 3.46 lb less to carry.
Who should choose Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker?
Choose Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker if sound quality comes first. Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker has the higher sound-quality rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 8.4/10 versus 6.6/10.
The main tradeoff
JBL Flip 7 has the higher portability rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 7.5/10 versus 5.5/10. Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker has the higher sound-quality rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 8.4/10 versus 6.6/10. The recorded reference-price difference is $249.05.
Sources and score details
- Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker gains 9.6 score points on sound quality (60% weight).
- Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker gains 2.2 score points on battery endurance (10% weight).
- Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker gains 1.3 score points on volume (10% weight).
Ease of carrying
JBL Flip 7 has the higher portability rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 7.5/10 versus 5.5/10.
Sound quality
Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker has the higher sound-quality rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 8.4/10 versus 6.6/10.
Battery endurance
Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker has the higher battery-endurance rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 7.5/10 versus 5.3/10.
Durability
JBL Flip 7 has the higher durability rating in GearLab’s matched tests: 9/10 versus 7.5/10.
People's Pick
Which one would you choose?
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Where to buy JBL Flip 7
eBay — New
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In stock · checked Oct 30, 2026
Price needs rechecking. Confirm at the retailer.
$76.99
Item + shipping · before tax
$76.99 + $0.00 shipping
We may earn a commission when you buy through links marked “Affiliate link.” This does not change your price or our scores. How we earn
Where to buy Bose SoundLink Max Portable Speaker
eBay — New
Affiliate link
In stock · checked Oct 30, 2026
Price needs rechecking. Confirm at the retailer.
$315.00
Item price · shipping unknown
We may earn a commission when you buy through links marked “Affiliate link.” This does not change your price or our scores. How we earn