Picture of the JBL Flip 3 speaker. Showing its front and right end.

Charging JBL Flip 3

Follow these charging JBL Flip 3 speaker instructions for convenient recharging via its  hidden USB charge ports.

Charging JBL Flip 3: Summary

In short, first, select a right sized USB power adapter. Why this? Because the Flip 3 does not come with one standard.  In this demo, we used the iClever 3-port USB wall charger, model IC-TC03.

Plus, the Flip 3 needs a high power USB power source to charge fully in the shortest time, and the IC-TC03 works well in this regard. Next, connect the orange micro USB cable included with the speaker between the Flip 3 and that iClever adapter. Then, plug the adapter into a working wall outlet. Finally after a few to five hours, your JBL Flip 3 speaker fully recharges. Then, you’ll be able to play it again for up to ten hours before charging it again.

Picture of the JBL Flip 3, its meter showing that the internal battery is almost completely dead, blinking red.
The JBL Flip 3, its meter showing that the internal battery is almost completely dead, flashing red.




Charging JBL Flip 3: Step-by-Step

Picture of the JBL Flip 3 along with a USB charging cable, and an iClever 3 port USB wall charger.
The JBL Flip 3 along with a USB charging cable, and an iClever 3 port USB wall charger.

1. Choose Right Size Power Adapter

As mentioned above, we’re using the iClever 36 watt three port USB wall charger AC adapter, as shown next.

Picture of the iClever 3-port USB wall charger, model IC-TC03, Showing its specs label side.
iClever 3-port USB wall charger, model IC-TC03, Showing its specs label side.

2. Open the Port Cover on the JBL Flip 3

Use a penny or a dime to pry open the waterproof seal port cover on the Flip 3. This exposes the micro USB charging port inside, as shown next.

Picture of the USB charge port.
The USB charge port.

3. Plug in the Micro USB Cord to the JBL Flip 3

Then, plug the small end of the orange micro USB charge cord into the matching micro USB port in the speaker, as we show next.

Picture of the included USB charge cord connected to the JBL Flip 3.
The included USB charge cord connected to the JBL Flip 3.




4. Plug the Other End of the Cord into your USB Power Adapter, to Continue with Charging JBL Flip 3

Next, connect the A end of the USB cable to the power adapter, as pictured next.

Picture of the iClever 3-Port USB wall charger, model IC-TC03. Showing its USB port side with a USB cable plugged into one of its output ports.
iClever 3-Port USB wall charger, model IC-TC03. Showing its USB port side with a USB cable plugged into one of its output ports.

5. Plug the AC USB Power Adapter into a Working Wall Outlet

Now that the Flip 3 and our iClever AC adapter are connected, we plug the charger into a functioning AC outlet, as shown next. In this demo, we’ve plugged ours into an energized Tripp-Lite surge protector power strip.

Picture of the JBL Flip 3 charging.
The JBL Flip 3 charging.

At least one of the battery status lamps lights up on the Flip 3 when you apply sufficient USB power. There are five lamps on this speaker that light in succession as internal battery charging progresses, as shown in the next picture.

Picture of the charging meter at 60 percent charged.
The charging meter at 60 percent charged.

6. Let the Flip 3 Charge Until All Battery Power Lights Go Off

Battery charging is almost complete when all but the last of the battery status lights light solid. The last one continues to blink for several minutes more to top off the charge, as shown next.

Picture of the JBL Flip 3 is almost fully charged.
The JBL Flip 3 is almost fully charged.

The battery recharge cycle finishes when all battery status gage lights go out, as shown next.

Picture of the battery meter with all lights OFF. This means that charging is done.
The battery meter with all lights OFF. This means that charging is done.

7. Unplug the USB Charge Cable from the Speaker, to Continue with Charging JBL Flip 3

The next picture shows the micro USB charging port on the Flip 3 after the charge cord has been removed.

Picture of the vacant USB charging port.
The vacant USB charging port.

8. Fully Close the Waterproof Port Door

Note that unless this flap is snapped securely and completely in place, water could enter the port area, possibly damaging the Flip 3 electronics inside. So, be careful to press the port door closed with enough force to correctly seat it, to get full water resistance.  See how this port door looks when completely closed and sealed in the next picture.

Picture of the USB AUX IN ports door on the JBL Flip 3, closed.
The USB AUX IN ports door on the JBL Flip 3, closed.

9. Charging JBL Flip 3 Done !

Finally, we have now fully charged our JBL Flip 3 wireless Bluetooth speaker. Note that the battery charge status gage just after turning on the Flip 3 after a full recharge. All lamps are aglow, meaning that the speaker is current fully charged, as shown in the last picture above.

Repeat this process every ten to twelve hours of music play through the Flip 3, to keep its battery in top condition. We charge ours when the battery status gage lights show only one light glowing.

Charging JBL Flip 3: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why Does my JBL Flip 3 Keep Turning Off?

An aging battery may be to blame, as the battery is no longer able to deliver the current the speaker requires to correctly function.  Replace the battery to solve this one.

What Does the JBL Flip 3 Red Light Flashing Mean?

Picture of the battery status indicator showing that the unit is almost completely dead. The red light that means critically low charge is flashing and highlighted.
The battery status indicator showing that the unit is almost completely dead. The red light that means critically low charge is flashing and highlighted.

When you see the red light blinking on the battery gauge of the Flip 3, this means that the battery has critically low charge and that the speaker will shut off within an hour if not recharged. See the red light we’re talking in the last picture above, pointed out by the green arrow. This lamp never flashes red with a correctly working USB charger connected and powered on.

What’s the Time it Takes for Charging the JBL Flip 3?

The Flip 3 speaker fully charges in at most five hours, depending on the state of the battery when recharging begins. This assumes that you use a high current USB charging cable and that the charger can deliver 2.1 amps of charge current.

Can I Charge JBL Flip 3 with Mobile Charger?

Yes you can, as long as the charger used can deliver 5 volts at 2.1 amps continuous to the speaker.

Other Posts About the JBL Flip 3

    1. JBL Flip 3 Specs
    2. JBL Flip 3 Firmware Update Routine
    3. How to Turn Off JBL Flip 3
    4. Flip 3 JBL Review
    5. Finding JBL Flip 3 Firmware Version

References for Charging JBL Flip 3 

    1. JBL Flip 3 Product Page on JBL.com

Revision History

    • 2021-08-08: Fixed some broken links.
    • 2020-04-08: Added more tags.
    • 2019-04-16: Added tags.
    • 2018-12-27: First published.