JBL Flip 6

The JBL Flip 6 is JBL's bread-and-butter portable Bluetooth speaker—the kind of thing you'd chuck in a backpack without a second thought. It sits right in the sweet spot between the smaller Clip and the bigger PartyBox range, making it ideal for someone who wants proper sound without lugging around a full-sized unit. If you're after a speaker for the garden, beach trips, or just moving between rooms at home, this is exactly what JBL had in mind.

In practice, this thing punches above its weight. You're looking at 20 hours of battery life on a single charge (genuinely solid for the size), IP67 waterproofing that'll survive dunking, and a 4,800mAh battery that charges via USB-C. The speaker uses two 40mm drivers and a passive bass radiator, which gives you proper low-end thump without muddy distortion. Connection is standard Bluetooth 5.3, and it charges fully in about 2.5 hours. The rubberised fabric covering feels durable, and the overall weight sits around 285g—light enough that you forget you're carrying it.

Against the Anker Soundcore Move 2, the JBL is more robust and the battery lasts longer, though the Anker edges it slightly on raw volume. Compare it to the UE Boom 3 and you're paying less while getting better battery life, though the UE does have that 360-degree sound thing. UK buyers should confirm stock comes with the right USB-C cable and check the return policy—JBL warranty coverage is standard, but it's worth confirming with your retailer. The box includes all the essentials, no surprises there.