Short answer: the JBL Flip 7, if you are buying new. The JBL Flip 5 ranks higher than the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 (#81 vs #113 of 175 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Flip 7, is rated 4.2/5 at $89.95 and is still sold new.
The JBL Flip 5 is the better-sounding choice. Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. The catch: Boosted upper bass.
What the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 does well: IP67 rated, floats, and finally charges via USB-C instead of the older Booms’ Micro-USB. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the JBL Flip 5. The catch: Not much improvement over the old ones.
Buy the JBL Flip 7, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Flip 5; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Ultimate Ears Boom 4.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 5 | Ultimate Ears Boom 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.97 Discontinued | $129.99 |
| Ranked | #81 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #113 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 85dBC (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) | 1.4 lbs (620 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange | 2x 1.57” (40mm) active drivers + 2x 1.81” x 2.57” (46.1 x 65.2mm) passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) | 7.2” x 2.9” x 2.9” (184 x 73 x 73 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | - |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Flip 5:
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- Soundcore Motion 300 vs JBL Flip 5
- Soundcore Motion+ vs JBL Flip 5
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Flip 5
- Minirig 4 vs JBL Flip 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 5: $64.97 Discontinued Amazon $64.97 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip 7, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Mar 2025.
Older model: the JBL Flip 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5). See every JBL Flip generation.
Pros: Compact and light (1.1 lb) with a carry lanyard. Charges via USB-C, topping off in about 2.5 hours. IP67 rated. Measured bass extension of 59Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Boosted upper bass. Piercing sound when turned up. Peaky lower treble at higher volumes. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 5 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.9” (181 x 69 x 74 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 44x80mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (via JBL app, sunsetted in 2024) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (lanyard) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (540 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: UE Wonderboom 2 review and sound test - vs Flip 5 - Flip 4 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Alan Ross Reviews: Marshall Emberton vs JBL Flip 5 & Soundcore Boost - true stereophonic 🤓
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Pro - two versions compared - was it broken? 🤔
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- Techder Audios: #JBL Flip 5 VS #JBL Flip Essential "IMPRESSIVE COMPARISON!?" More from techderaudios →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Flip 7 Review - Is It Worth Upgrading Over The JBL Flip 6 Or Flip 5? More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Ultimate Ears Boom 4: $129.99 Amazon $129.99 eBay
Older model: the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every Ultimate Ears Wonderboom, Boom and Megaboom generation.
Same family: the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5) and the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 (larger model, ranked lower, rated 2.1/5).
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and finally charges via USB-C instead of the older Booms’ Micro-USB. 15 hour battery. Customizable EQ and speaker-pairing via the UE app.
Cons: Not much improvement over the old ones. Weak bass extension and thuddy bass. Gets distorted above 90%
Full Ultimate Ears Boom 4 review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.2” x 2.9” x 2.9” (184 x 73 x 73 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.57” (40mm) active drivers + 2x 1.81” x 2.57” (46.1 x 65.2mm) passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 85dBC (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (620 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ultimate Ears Boom 4 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Ultimate Ears Boom 4 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom
- Ultimate Ears Boom 4 vs Klipsch Groove
- Ultimate Ears Boom 4 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Ultimate Ears Boom 4 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
- Ultimate Ears Boom 4 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
- Ultimate Ears Boom 4 vs DBSONO X-Blast F37
- Ultimate Ears Boom 4 vs Sony SRS-XE300
- See all 139 comparisons