Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3, if you are buying new. The JBL Flip Essential ranks higher than it (#87 vs #105 of 164 medium speakers, 3.2/5 vs 3.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 is still sold new at $111.63.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 if you want one new; the JBL Flip Essential is discontinued, so only look for it used.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 is rated for 20 hours, the JBL Flip Essential only 10 hours.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $111.63 |
| Ranked | #87 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (UE | BOOM app) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) | 2 lbs (925 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 3.4” x 8.9” x 3.4” (87 x 225 x 87 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | - |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 70Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Strap | - | Yes (built-in loop) |
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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 Essential: $130 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip Essential 2, ranked higher, rated 3.3/5.
Pros: A genuinely portable 471g speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. It is a simple, no-app option for wired sources, travel and casual listening where its cylindrical shape and modest size are a genuine advantage.
Cons: Bass is lighter than the Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight. Battery life is only a claimed 10 hours, there is no speakerphone, EQ or party mode, and its older Bluetooth 4.1 platform and discontinued status make it a basic used-market choice.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
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Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3: $111.63 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4, ranked lower, rated 2.1/5.
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. 20 hour battery life: about double most speakers this size. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| App | Yes (UE | BOOM app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| 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 |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2 lbs (925 g) |
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