Short answer: the JBL Flip 4. It ranks #63 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $70; the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 ranks #83 and costs $163, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Flip 4 gets right: Less bass than a Flip 5. The tradeoff: Battery failures are common.
What the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 offers: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. Set against that: Not stereo, barely any bass.
One note: the JBL Flip 4 is discontinued, but it still ranks #63 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the JBL Flip 4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 4.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 4 | Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70 Discontinued | $163 |
| Ranked | #63 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #83 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz | 70Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| TWS | No | - |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 510 g | 2 lbs / 925 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) | 3.4" x 8.9" x 3.4" (87 x 225 x 87 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Max Volume | 92dB | 98dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Stereo | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Sonos Roam vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip Essential
- Sonos Roam 2 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
- Tribit Stormbox vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip 4: $70 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Less bass than a Flip 5. Peaky lower treble.
Cons: Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 510 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3: $163 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. 20 hour battery life - about double most speakers this size.
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass. You can tell from the micro USB that they are just feeding you the same crap hardware over and over, this is inexcusable for a product released in 2018. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 8.9" x 3.4" (87 x 225 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 98dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 2 lbs / 925 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 vs LG Xboom Grab
- Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
- Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 vs Soundcore 2
- Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom
- Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 vs Tribit Xsound Surf
- See all 26 comparisons


