The JBL Flip is one of the most popular portable Bluetooth speakers ever made. And for good reason. It sounds decent, it is built well, and the brand name is everywhere. But the Flip 6 still sells for around $100, and the Flip 7 pushes even higher. If you are wondering whether there is something just as good (or better) for less, the answer is yes.
Here are five reasons to look beyond the JBL Flip in 2026.
1. You Can Get the Same Specs for Half the Price
The Stromberg Burst 2 delivers 20W RMS through dual 2.25 inch drivers with IPX5 water resistance and 10 hours of battery life. The JBL Flip 6? 30W with IP67 and 12 hours. The Flip has an edge on paper, but the Burst 2 costs $39.99. The Flip 6 costs $99 to $130 depending on the color.
For most people, that difference in specs does not justify paying more than double.
| Feature | Stromberg Burst 2 | JBL Flip 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.99 | $99+ |
| Power | 20W RMS | 30W RMS |
| Drivers | 2 x 2.25 inch | 1 x racetrack + tweeter |
| Battery | 10 hours | 12 hours |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IP67 |
| RGB Lights | Yes, music synced | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
2. RGB Lights That JBL Does Not Offer at This Price
The Burst 2 has customizable RGB lighting that syncs to your music. The JBL Flip series has no lights at any price point. If you want your speaker to look as good as it sounds at a party, JBL is not going to help. The Stromberg Groove ($99.99) and Pop ($29.99) also come with RGB if lights are a priority. Read more in our best Bluetooth speakers with lights guide.
3. A 3.5mm Aux Input That JBL Dropped
JBL removed the aux input starting with the Flip 6. That means if your phone or laptop does not have Bluetooth, or you want a wired connection with zero latency, you are out of luck. The Burst 2 still has a 3.5mm aux input. So does the Spark, the Groove, and the Force. Wired backup is not a legacy feature. It is a practical one.
4. Split Speakers Are Something JBL Does Not Do
JBL lets you pair two Flips together with PartyBoost, but you have to buy two of them. That is $200+ for stereo. The Stromberg Mega Twin ($79.99) and Twin 2 ($39.99) are split speakers that physically separate into two units for true stereo. One purchase, two speakers, real stereo sound.
5. Stromberg Has 130 Years Behind It
JBL was founded in 1946. Stromberg was founded in 1894. That is over 130 years of audio experience. The difference is that Stromberg is not spending hundreds of millions on Super Bowl ads and celebrity endorsements. That money goes into the product and pricing instead. Which means you get more speaker for less money.
The Full Stromberg Lineup vs. JBL
| Need | JBL Option | JBL Price | Stromberg Alternative | Stromberg Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday portable | Flip 6 | $99+ | Burst 2 | $39.99 |
| Party speaker | Charge 5 | $150+ | Groove | $99.99 |
| Stereo pairing | 2x Flip 6 | $200+ | Mega Twin | $79.99 |
| Big party/karaoke | PartyBox 110 | $350+ | Force | $199.99 |
| Ultra budget | Go 3 | $39+ | Pop | $29.99 |
Bottom Line
The JBL Flip is a solid speaker. But solid does not mean it is your only option, or even your best option for the money. The Stromberg Burst 2 covers the same use cases at $39.99. And if you want features JBL does not offer at any price, like split speaker stereo or RGB lights, Stromberg has you covered.
Free shipping across the United States via Amazon FBA. See all Stromberg speakers.
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