Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the JBL Flip 4 is the better pick: it ranks #82 of 164 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.3/5), against #93 (rated 3.1/5) for the Sonos Roam. If you want one new, the Earfun Uboom L ranks #2 at $49.79.
What the JBL Flip 4 gets right: Less bass than a Flip 5. The tradeoff: Battery failures are common.
Buy the JBL Flip 4 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Earfun Uboom L instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 4 | Sonos Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70 Discontinued | $179.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #82 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #93 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (510 g) | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.8” x 2.6” (175 x 70 x 65 mm) | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| App | Yes | Sonos S2 App |
| EQ | No | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Flip 4:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Flip 4
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Flip 4
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Flip 4
- JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Flip 4
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip 4: $70 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: At 510 g, JBL Flip 4 combines 2x 40mm fullrange with Bluetooth and aux. Claimed 12 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx7 protection, up to 92db and single-box playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 66Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 66Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 2.8” x 2.6” (175 x 70 x 65 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (510 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2 More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sonos Roam: $179.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Sonos Roam 2, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5.
Pros: Very neutral. IP67 rated at ~1 lb. Wireless (Qi) charging: rare for a portable speaker. Works with Alexa/Sonos Voice Control and the wider Sonos ecosystem over Wi-Fi. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass extension isn’t very good. Not stereo. Gets distorted if you turn up the bass. Discontinued.
Full Sonos Roam review and specifications →
| App | Sonos S2 App |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual full-range drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (429 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons