Wireless Speakers Under RM500: Anker SoundCore Flare+ vs Sony SRS-XB23 vs JBL Flip 5

Wireless Bluetooth speakers are a great addition to your household gadgets as they check many boxes: portable, durable, and providing good audio quality in a variety of environments and situations. Many wireless speakers these days are IP rated to withstand the elements, so they’re perfect for outdoor parties or trips.

With such a wide range of options and prices, the search to find the perfect wireless speaker can be a daunting task. If you want a good quality speaker but at an affordable price, read on to find out more about some of the best-selling wireless speakers under RM500 as well as our final pick.

Anker SoundCore Flare+ – from RM469.00

The SoundCore Flare+ is the highest-priced speaker in the Soundcore Flare lineup. For accessories, the speaker comes with micro-USB cable for charging and a 3.5 mm jack cable. It is also IPX7-rated which means it is completely waterproof up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. According to SoundCore, the Flare+ has a battery life of 20 hours, which is more than enough for most situations. 

Perhaps the most unique feature of the Soundcore Flare+ compared to the others in this article is the LEDs at the base. If you want lights to accompany your music, you can choose from a number of themes and illumination patterns which you can customise via the Soundcore app.

Running on Bluetooth 5 and packed with full-range drivers, two tweeters, and dual bass radiators, the Flare+ provides 360-degree surround sound. It also utilises BassUp™ technology which helps to make the bass of the music sound deeper. To double the volume for extra big events, you can connect two Flare+ speakers via a single device.

The SoundCore Flare+ is targeted for use in parties and other social gatherings and according to reviewers it provides a decent listening experience and is a solid contender for the best wireless speaker under RM500.

Sony SRS-XB23 – from RM375.00

The SRS-XB23 is one of the mid-range offerings from Sony’s current wireless speakers available. It charges with USB-C but does not support fast charging. However, after 4 hours of charging, you can get up to 12 hours of battery life depending on the volume level, as advertised by Sony. Impressively the SRS-XB23 is IP67-rated, it is highly dust and water resistant, and is even claimed to be saltwater-resistant.

The speaker features controls for Party Mode which allows it to link up to 100 other SRS-series speakers and Speaker Pair. You can also download the versatile Sony Music Center app to access settings such as switching between stereo and mono audio, user-adjustable EQ, and power-saving modes.

Connected via Bluetooth 5, the SRS-XB23 also supports three major codecs (SBC, AAC, and LDAC) and has dual full-range drivers. In terms of audio performance, the speaker does quite well and provides users with rich bass depth and solid high-frequency clarity. At this price point, it is quite difficult to find a speaker that would do much better than the SRS-XB23.

JBL Flip 5 – from RM459.00

Successor to the Flip 4, the Flip 5 speaker is one of the more recent mid-range offerings from JBL’s line of wireless speakers. Unlike the SoundCore Flare, the JBL Flip 5 comes with USB-C charging but no 3.5mm AUX input, which means you cannot connect the speaker to a device without Bluetooth. However, it is also IPX7-certified so you don’t have to worry about water damage when bringing this outside or to the shower.

According to JBL, the Flip 5 has a battery life of 12 hours. It also features a PartyBoost mode which allows you to connect to a variety of other JBL speakers and stream the same music simultaneously. The free JBL Connect app features a few functions such as displaying battery life and setting stereo pairing. 

The Flip 5 does not use Bluetooth 5 like the other speakers here and would be a good fit for those who are not too concerned about bass and sound quality, as they are mediocre at best.

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So what’s our pick?

Although all three speakers in this article have their own strengths and weaknesses, we would pick the Sony SRS-XB23 as the best wireless speaker under RM500.

Out of the three speakers, the SRS-XB23 has the most latest technology in its design such as Bluetooth 5 and the support of major codecs. Generally, the sound and bass performance of the speaker is also well received for the price. 

Whether you’re out-and-about or just at home, it would be hard to find a speaker under RM500 that is as versatile and worth the money as the Sony SRS-XB23.