JBL Flip 7 vs. Beats Pill: Which portable speaker suits your needs?

      For years, JBL has led our rankings of the best Bluetooth speakers, particularly in the sub-$200 category, thanks to the popularity of its Flip speaker series. This trend continues with the Flip 7, which is the finest iteration of this cylindrical powerhouse to date. However, JBL now faces competition. With the revival of its beloved Pill speaker in 2024, Beats has offered it at a more accessible price along with several impressive new features.

      While the similarities between these Bluetooth speakers are clear, a closer inspection reveals their respective strengths. The crucial question is: which one fits your lifestyle better? We compared them side by side to determine which speaker suits you best.

      **JBL Flip 7 vs. Beats Pill: Price**

      As a newly launched product, the Flip 7 has not yet seen any reductions from its standard price of $150. This trend is likely to persist into the summer months as JBL aims to clear out its Flip 6 stock. The Beats Pill is also priced at $150 but has frequently dropped to as low as $100 since its launch in July 2024. That's a significant discount if you're able to grab it. If recent trends hold true, another sale might be on the horizon. Although nothing is guaranteed, we are going to give the advantage to the Pill based solely on its pricing history.

      **Winner: Beats Pill**

      **JBL Flip 7 vs. Beats Pill: Specs Comparison**

      | Feature | JBL Flip 7 | Beats Pill (2024) |

      |-----------------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------------|

      | Colors | Black, Blue, Squad, White, Red | Matte Black, Champagne Gold, Dark Grey, Light Grey, Statement Red |

      | Weight | 1.23 pounds | 1.5 pounds |

      | Dimensions | 2.8 x 7.19 x 2.7 inches | 2.8 x 8.6 x 2.8 inches |

      | Charging cable included | No | Yes |

      | Battery Life | Up to 16 hours | Up to 24 hours |

      | Charging input | USB-C | USB-C |

      | Charging output | None | USB-C |

      | Drop-proof | Tested 1 meter onto concrete | No |

      | Water/dust resistance | IP68 | IP67 |

      | Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 5.3 |

      | Additional features | Auracast: Stereo pairing, Multispeaker sharing, USB Audio, Swappable attachments | Stereo mode to connect two Pill speakers, Amplify mode for simultaneous audio, Speakerphone, USB Audio, Lanyard included |

      From a specifications standpoint, the Beats Pill seems to outperform the JBL Flip 7 in virtually every category except for durability and portability. However, since these are speakers intended for travel, those attributes are significant. The Flip 7 has a slightly better water resistance rating at IP68 compared to the Pill's IP67, but as neither speaker is designed to float, this difference likely won’t impact daily use. Both can withstand accidental splashes by the pool.

      JBL’s drop-proof design and tough woven fiber exterior, complete with rubber end caps, make the Flip 7 far more suitable for outdoor adventures. While I wouldn’t recommend dropping or banging either speaker around, it’s likely the Flip 7 would endure better than the Pill, particularly considering the Pill's metal grille, which although visually appealing, is prone to dents and scratches.

      The Flip 7 is also slightly lighter and a bit more compact. Although the variance is minor, if portability is crucial for you, this is another point favoring JBL.

      As portable speakers are often used away from power outlets, battery life ranks among the most critical specifications, and in this arena, the Pill is the clear winner. With a maximum of 24 hours of playtime, the Beats Pill significantly outlasts the Flip 7, which, even in Playtime Boost mode, can only extend its usual 14-hour capacity to 16 hours. Additionally, with its robust battery, the Pill allows you to charge your phone via USB-C—a feature available only on the larger Charge 6 within JBL's lineup.

      Both speakers support lossless audio through their USB-C ports. However, the Pill doubles as a speakerphone, an extra convenience not found in the Flip 7.

      Both models allow for stereo pairing when you have two of the same speakers. However, here the Flip 7 has a clear edge. The Pill can connect its audio to just one additional Pill speaker, while the Flip 7 can be linked to an unlimited number of Auracast-compatible JBL speakers, including the Flip 7, Charge 6, Xtreme 4, and various newer Party Box models. This integration makes it an exceptional choice for parties.

      This leads us to a dilemma