Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, if you are buying new. The JBL Flip Essential ranks higher than the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 (#90 vs #170 of 175 medium speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, is rated 3.6/5 at $113.82 and is still sold new.
The JBL Flip Essential is the better-sounding, lighter choice. A genuinely portable 1 lbs (471 g) speaker with IPX7 water resistance, a 3.5mm aux input and 16W output from two full-range drivers. At 1 lbs (471 g) it weighs much less than the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 lacks. The tradeoff: Bass is lighter than the JBL Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight.
The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 is the longer-running pick. IP67 rated, floats, and finally uses USB-C charging. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential. It links with other speakers (PartyUp up to 50 speakers), which the JBL Flip Essential cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. The catch: A lot of distortion at higher volumes.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, the replacement for the discontinued JBL Flip Essential; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $200 |
| Ranked | #90 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #170 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes (via app) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Weight | / 1 lbs (471 g) | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.1 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 2x 50x50mm full-range + 2x 55x86mm passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 3.4” x 3.4” x 8.9” (87 x 87 x 225 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 16W RMS | - |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Maximum SPL | - | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Strap | - | Yes (built-in loop) |
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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 Essential: $130 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Flip Essential 3 SE, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5, released Apr 2026. See every JBL Flip Essential generation.
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 JBL 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 →
| Released | Nov 2019 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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) |
- Links
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Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4: $200 Amazon $200 eBay
Older model: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 (ranked higher, rated 3/5). 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 Boom 4 (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and finally uses USB-C charging. 20 hour battery life. ‘PartyUp’ feature syncs multiple UE speakers together.
Cons: A lot of distortion at higher volumes. Rolled off treble. Not very loud. They really screwed this up
Full Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 3.4” x 8.9” (87 x 87 x 225 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50x50mm full-range + 2x 55x86mm passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 4 vs Sony ULT Field 1 😧 $200 vs $128 Cylinder Bluetooth Speaker Matchup More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ultimate Ears MegaBoom 4 vs W-King D320 🔋Does Paying More Get You Less? 😧
- Smart Home Sounds: UE Everboom Review PLUS All-New Wonderboom 4, Boom 4 & Megaboom 4 More from Smart Home Sounds →
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