It's been four years since we've seen upgrades to JBL's Flip and Charge portable Bluetooth speakers, so I was curious to see and hear what the company's done with its new Flip 7 ($150) and Charge 6 ($200) speakers. While JBL hasn't radically redesigned the speakers on the outside -- they look pretty similar to their predecessors -- they do feature better sound, battery life and lossless audio over a USB-C connection. They're available now for preorder and ship on April 4 in multiple color options.
Read more: Best Bluetooth speakers of 2025
Both speakers are IP68 waterproof and dust-proof and are equipped with newly developed woofers that help improve bass performance along with the requisite reference to AI that almost every new product seems to include these days. In the case of the Flip 7 and Charge 6, it's something called "AI Sound Boost" that JBL says keeps the speakers from distorting as their drivers are pushed to their "maximum capability." In other words, JBL has improved the speakers' digital processing with upgraded algorithms.
The Charge 7 now has a detachable handle.
David Carnoy/CNETThe Charge 6 is slightly bigger than the Charge 5 but weighs the same as its predecessor at 2.11 pounds. One of the more noticeable external changes is to the new model's charge-out port (that port is why the speaker line is called "Charge"). Instead of a USB-A out port hidden under a gasket, there's a single exposed USB-C port that's both charge-in and charge-out. It allows you to use the speaker as a power bank and charge devices like your smartphone while streaming music to the speaker.
Additionally, JBL has added a removable handle to the Charge 6. When attached, it gives the speaker a mini boom box look that's slightly more akin to JBL's step-up Extreme line. Meanwhile, the Flip 6 has a new Push-Lock accessory system that allows you to swap between a carabiner and a loop (both are included). Both speakers can be laid down horizontally or stood up vertically.
Press the button (on left at top) and you can detach the Flip's loop accessory for the included carabiner.
David Carnoy/CNETThe larger Charge has always sounded significantly better than the smaller Flip, producing more bass and a bigger overall sound. But the Flip has earned a loyal fan base thanks to its compact, rugged design and good sound for its size. All that said, the price for both these speakers has increased by $20, and the competition is fierce in the Bluetooth speaker market.
After listening to both models for a few days they do indeed produce more bass with better overall clarity. They also play louder without distorting, though I occasionally encountered a bit of distortion at max volume, depending on the music track. Needless to say, the Charge 6 offers a wider soundstage with bigger bass and more volume than the Flip 7. Still, the Flip 7's sound is noticeably augmented, and it remains one of the better-sounding speakers for its size, improving its standing against Bose's similarly priced SoundLink Flex, which received some small upgrades last year.
The speakers can be stood up vertically.
David Carnoy/CNETUsing the speakers' Auracast feature, you can link multiple Auracast-enabled JBL speakers to boost the sound or create a stereo pair (it replaces JBL's Party Boost mode and does not seem compatible with JBL's PartyBoost and Connect Plus speakers).
I always appreciate the inclusion of a USB-C audio feature, whether it's on a Bluetooth speaker or headphone, but I couldn't get it to work on either the Flip 7 or Charge 6 even after a firmware update to the Charge 6 claimed that USB-C audio support was part of the update. (The speakers aren't released yet, so I suspect I'll see another firmware update before April 4.)
Testing the USB-C audio feature with other Bluetooth speakers, I've found that the sound only improves slightly, but it's usually a tad more dynamic and cleaner in wired mode via USB-C. These are relatively compact mono speakers, so you're just not going to get the sound gains from a wired connection that you might get from higher-end speakers that offer significantly richer, more detailed sound. But I'll reserve final judgment until after I get the feature working.
The Flip 7 looks very similar to the Flip 6 but has a newly developed woofer.
David Carnoy/CNETWe'll see where the street price shakes out on these speakers, but JBL will likely offer some discounts later in the year. With the release of the Charge 6, JBL is selling the Charge 5 for $120. The Flip 6 remains at $130, or $20 cheaper than the Flip 7. I should also note that JBL told me that there's no plan for a Charge 6 with Wi-Fi connectivity. The Charge 5 WiFi was released in September of 2023 and remains on sale for $250.
In the coming days, after I spend more time comparing the Flip 7 and Charge 6 to competing models (and getting the USB-C audio to work), I'll post full reviews of the speakers. Despite my issues with the USB-C audio, both speakers are likely to make our list of best Bluetooth speakers of 2025. I'd spend the extra money on the Charge 6, but the Flip 7 is easier to carry around and fits nicely in a cup holder or water-bottle holder on your bike.
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Partial side view of the JBL Charge 6.
David Carnoy/CNETJBL Flip 7 key specs:
- Upgraded woofer with separate tweeter and AI Sound Boost
- Bluetooth 5.4
- Weight: .55 kg / 1.21 lbs.
- Dimensions: 7.0 x 2.6 x 2.8 inches (W x H x D)
- Up to 14 hours of battery life plus two additional hours with Playtime Boost mode
- IP68 waterproof, dustproof and drop-proof (1-meter drop)
- Multispeaker connection via Auracast with JBL Auracast-enabled speakers
- Built-in PushLock system with interchangeable carrying accessories
- High-resolution lossless audio over USB-C connection
- JBL Portable App
- Available in six colors, including black, blue, white, red, camo and purple
- Price $150
- Ship date: April 4
JBL Charge 6 key specs:
- Upgraded woofer with separate tweeter and AI Sound Boost
- Weight: 0.96 kg / 2.11 lbs.
- Dimensions: 9.0 x 3.9 x 3.7 inches (W x H x D)
- Bluetooth 5.4
- Up to 24 hours of battery life plus four additional hours with Playtime Boost mode
- IP68 waterproof, dustproof and drop-proof (1-meter drop)
- Multi-speaker connection via Auracast with JBL Auracast-enabled speakers
- Detachable carrying strap with multiple configurations
- High-resolution lossless audio over USB-C connection
- JBL Portable App
- Available in six colors, including black, blue, white, red, camo and purple
- Price: $200
- Ship date: April 4
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