Arriving in time for the upcoming spring and summer months, JBL just upgraded two of our favorite portable Bluetooth speakers. With AI Sound Boost technology, the new JBL Charge 6 and Flip 7 are finally here to slap the bass during your summer adventures.
It’s no secret that JBL makes some of the most popular portable speakers, and its latest generation is better than ever. Both speakers received a slightly redesigned look and feel, upgraded straps, improved audio, better water resistance, and longer battery life, to name a few.
JBL Charge 6
Starting with one of my favorites, after over three years of waiting the new 6th generation JBL Charge 6 got a fresh makeover with several notable upgrades. Along with six different color options, the first thing those looking to upgrade from the Charge 5 will notice are changes to the button layout and the strap.
The buttons are bigger and easier to see, located right on top for easy access. The JBL Charge 6 has a new strap that’s not only detachable if you don’t want it, but it’s also adjustable as a strap or a handle.
As expected, the audio experience is upgraded throughout. JBL notes that it upgraded the woofer to deliver crisp yet loud sound, improved bass, and more. Part of the feature set for both of JBL’s new speakers is the AI Sound Boost Technology, which will allow people to crank the volume higher without significant distortion. As a result, it’ll blast clear and rich sound whether you’re sitting in the backyard by the pool, camping, or anywhere else.
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True to its name, the JBL Charge 6 now has a longer battery life, promising up to 24 hours on a single charge. Then, you can enable a Playtime boost mode to extend things even further (at lower levels, of course) when needed. With USB-C charging, the quick-charge feature gets you hours of listening after just minutes. It’s also IP68 dust—and water-resistant, so take it anywhere this summer.
The JBL Charge 6 is a bit more expensive thanks to all those upgrades, and you can get your own starting April 6th for $199.
JBL Charge 6
The JBL Charge 6 speaker delivers bold yet crisp sound with its optimized long-excursion driver, separate tweeter, and dual-pumping JBL bass radiators. The new Charge 6 now has over 24 hours of playtime, IP68 water resistance, and more. Keep the party going all night or at the beach.
JBL Flip 7
Those looking for a similar experience to the Charge 6 but in a smaller package will love the new 7th generation JBL Flip. It received many of the same changes, which makes this tiny speaker better than ever.
The JBL Flip 7 has a newly improved swappable strap and carabiner system, making it easy to carry around or strap to a day pack during outdoor adventures. Like its bigger sibling, it has a redesigned button layout and six colors to choose from. Both the JBL Charge 6 and Flip 7 now come in black, blue, white, red, purple, and camo.
And yes, the Flip 7 is still small enough to fit in the bottle holder on most mountain bikes, something I do with mine all the time. JBL beefed up the bass and tweeter, packed in the AI Sound Boost Mode, and added a bigger battery for more tunes per session. JBL says it’s the same size but with a bigger punch. Or, for something even smaller, consider the JBL Clip 5.
The new and improved JBL Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker lasts 14 hours on a single charge or up to 16 with the Playtime Boost feature enabled. Thanks to improved sound and longer battery life, it’ll cost $149 when it arrives on April 6th, 2025. Pre-orders for both speakers are open starting today.
JBL Flip 7
The new JBL Flip 7 packs a serious punch into the same small package as previous generations. Only now, it gets louder, uses AI Sound Boost technology for clear and crisp playback, and can provide over 14 hours of playback on a single charge. You’ll also love the swappable strap and carabiner combo.
