For year , JBL dominated our lean of thebest Bluetooth speakers , peculiarly in the sub-$200 category where the fellowship ’s furrow of Flip speakers have proven so democratic . That popularity extend with theFlip 7 , the best reading of the cylindrical powerhouse so far . But JBL is no longer alone . WhenBeats revived its fan - favourite Pill speakerin 2024 , it did so at a more accesible price and tote up some swell fresh features .
The similarites between these Bluetooth speakers are obvious , and yet , a deeper look reveals where each has its posture . The interrogation is , which one is a better mate for your life style ?
We put them side by side to see which one create the most sense for you .
JBL Flip 7
Beats Pill ( 2024 )
JBL Flip 7 vs. Beats Pill: Price
As a fresh released product , the Flip 7 has yet to see any discounts on its $ 150 regular cost . This may well shew to be the case into the summer months as JBL focuses on getting disembarrass of its remainingFlip 6inventory .
TheBeats Pillhas the same $ 150 regular cost , but since it debuted in July 2024 , we ’ve seen itdip down to as low as $ 100on several occasions . That ’s a massive deduction if you’re able to get it . If recent history is any indication , your next opportunity may not be far away .
There are no guarantees , of course , but we ’re going to give this one to the Pill purely based on its price history .
achiever : Beats Pill
JBL Flip 7 vs. Beats Pill: Specs comparison
USB AudioSwappable attachments
SpeakerphoneUSB AudioLanyard included
On glasses alone , the Beats Pill appears to outshine the JBL Flip 7 on almost everything except ruggedness and portability . But since we ’re spill about speakers that citizenry will want to take absolutely everywhere , these are important factor .
The Flip 7 is a little more waterproof than the Pill atIP68 versus IP67 , but given that neither speaker swim especially well , this likely wo n’t make a handsome difference in your life . Keep them both poolside , know they ’ll subsist an accidental submerging .
JBL ’s drop - proofing and furrowed woven fibre exterior ( with gum elastic endcaps ) take in the Flip 7 far better suited to go - anywhere adventuring . Not that I advocate sleep together either loudspeaker into other objects or dropping them , but I have no doubt that if these thing were to happen , the Flip 7 would make it best than the Pill . It ’s the Pill ’s metallic element radiator grille that worries me most . It looks neat , but it will dent and scratch like the hood of a car if you dispatch it intemperately enough .
The Flip 7 is also a piffling lighter and fractionally small-scale . The departure is n’t massive , but again , if portability is key , it ’s another level in JBL ’s favor .
Since portable speaker are often used far from power source , battery life is arguably one of the most important specs , and it ’s no contest . With up to 24 minute of playtime , the Beats Pill far survive the Flip 7 even when that verbalizer is set to Playtime Boost way , which poke out its normal 14 - hour endurance to 16 hr .
Moreover , the Pill packs so much energy , Beats permit you apply it to charge your phone via USB - C. You ’ll have to move up to the Flip 7 ’s larger sib , theCharge 6 , to get that feature film in the JBL world .
Both utterer let you playlossless audiovia their USB - nose candy port , however , the Pill also function as a speakerphone , a ready to hand surplus feature that the Flip 7 deficiency .
Finally , both speakers let you create a stereo pair when you have two of the same models on hand . you’re able to also put out their audio recording to other speaker unit , but this is where the Flip 7 bask a big advantage .
you may only extend the Pill ’s audio frequency to one other Pill . The Flip 7 can carry its audio frequency to an straight-out figure of otherAuracast - enable JBL speakers , which include the Flip 7 , Charge 6,Xtreme 4 , and several of its new Party Box manikin . For company - power expansion , that ’s an unbeatable system .
This create a conundrum . A bigger barrage ( and the power to commove other machine ) makes the Pill a good option for those who require to stray where there ’s no mightiness informant . On the other hired hand , those are precisely the sorts of places where the Flip 7 ’s ruggedized torso will prove most beneficial . This one come down to how ( and where ) you want to utilize your speaker , but for us , it ’s a tie .
success : Tie
JBL Flip 7 vs. Beats Pill: Design
Though they ’re both carved from the same basic geometrical pattern , in the looks section , these speaker system come from opposite sides of tracks . It ’s like comparing a Jeep to a Corvette . The Beats Pill is satiny , placid , and curvy , with a sophisticated metallic element grille and controls that are so understated , they ’re practically out of sight . The JBL Flip 7 , by contrast , is rugged and a little rough — the kind of Bluetooth speaker Batman might hang from his utility belt .
That even translates to the included adherence . The Pill comes with an graceful , cloth wrist lanyard , while the Flip 7 has a carry loop and a carabiner that can be swapped in seconds thanks to its cagey Pushlock system of rules .
The Flip 7 earns a few redundant points for usability . It can stand vertically — something I do n’t urge trying with the Pill — and its ascendency are oversized and well-situated to find , even if the day ’s activities have left you with diminished handwriting - eye coordination .
Since plan is more than just visual appeal , we ’re give this one to the Flip 7 for its all - terrain capability .
success : JBL Flip 7
JBL Flip 7 vs. Beats Pill: Sound quality
This is another tricky one . For products likeheadphonesand Hawaii - fispeakers , levelheaded quality is unremarkably about rendering source material with truth , tonic balance , and the extenuation of distorted shape .
If you put on those same touchstone to the Beats Pill and the JBL Flip 7 , the Pill comes out on top . It has a clean , better balanced sound signature , and it will happily sit all the way to its maximum tawdriness level without any detectable distorted shape .
But when it comes to Bluetooth portables , it ’s arguable that we might desire less panache and more king — specially when outdoors . This is where the Flip 7 excels . It gets much louder than the Pill , and it pumps out more bass . The JBL Portables app also afford you a variety of EQ setting ( both presets and a custom balance ) , whereas the Pill is a take - it - or - leave - it speaker in terms of tuning .
The Flip 7 ’s power , while better control than previous generation , can get a little coarse as you increase volume . Despite the introduction of a new AI Sound algorithm mean to fight distortion , it nonetheless creep in at the highest levels .
USB lossless sound on both speakers has the same effect — it lets you maximize their potential drop when consideration are tranquil enough to hear the difference . But it does n’t alter that sound quality balance . The Pill is better for critical hearing while the Flip 7 is a true party machine .
Again , if this were a comparison of indoor , wireless speakers , the Pill would acquire . However , one of the primary missions of any Bluetooth portable is to bring the tunes to all kinds of locating , in all kinds of conditions . With its more powerful system , the Flip 7 is the adept choice .
JBL Flip 7 vs. Beats Pill: The verdict
With two winnings , the JBL Flip 7 — on newspaper at least — is our succeeder . It ’s a very capable portable speaker that ’s construct to abide unsmooth manipulation and other potential mischance , while providing astonishingly brawny audio for its size . And let ’s not forget its expandability via JBL ’s lineup of Aurcast speakers .
It miss the Beats Pill ’s speakerphone function , which is undeniably handy , but which I also suspect is low-spirited on most the great unwashed ’s wish lean for Bluetooth speakers .
The only conflict that gives me pause its the Pill ’s extraordinary assault and battery life and external gimmick charging . Do you involve up to 24 hr of playtime on a speaker ? No , but it sure as shooting is helpful for when you forget to turn on it , or if you ’re design an extended time away from an available power supplying .
If battery life and good overall sound quality are key to your decision , you’re able to safely ignore the outcome of this contest — the Beats Pill is the better option for your need .
