CONCLUSION

   After using the Flip 2 for a couple of months i have to admit that it left me wanting for a bit more especially in terms of bass and volume levels. Audio quality was good overall with crisp mids and highs but when a speaker doesn't output a good amount of bass (not to mention the average volume levels) that's not as impressive as it would be otherwise. Well with the Flip 3 JBL has improved on both these areas since it produces richer and deeper bass and it does so with even higher volume levels. Audio is as crisp and detailed (if not more) that what i recall from the Flip 2 so no compromises there either. Of course it goes without saying that the two bass radiators can't do miracles so don't expect to throw a small party with the Flip 3 but this time over it can actually go up against other larger speakers with no problem at all. Enclosure quality is very good and is indeed splash proof but it's not actually rugged so although it may survive a fall As for battery life JBL claims you can use the Flip 3 for up to 10 hours but as always that depends on the volume level and since during testing we always use speakers with the volume set almost at max we didn't even manage to hit 7 hours (6.42 was the highest one). Overall this is far from the best we've encountered for a portable Bluetooth speaker but for its size the FLIP3 does very well. Unfortunately we weren't as impressed with the built-in microphone since as usual people on the other end of several calls didn't report the best results (this occurs with most portable speakers in the market so nothing isolated only with the Flip 3).

   The Flip 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker has been around for a few months already during which its price got a serious cut so currently you can get it for just USD89 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 94Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk). Just for the record compared to when the Flip 2 was released a while back the Flip 3 currently costs roughly USD30/20Euros less and at least to me that's always a good thing. Overall the Flip 3 Bluetooth portable speaker by JBL may not be the most powerful portable wireless speaker in the market currently nor does it have the best battery life and audio quality but at around its price range it's certainly among the very best which is why it gets our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Design
- Size/Weight
- Splash Proof Housing
- Bluetooth & 3.5mm AUX Input
- Good Audio Quality & Bass Levels
- Very Good Volume Levels (For Its Size)
- Good Battery Life (Up To 10 Hours)
- Bluetooth V4.1 & NFC Support
- Vertical & Horizontal Placing
- Available Colors

CONS

- 360 Degrees Feature Could Be Better