Short answer: the JBL Flip Essential for better sound quality, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 for the lower price. The JBL Flip Essential ranks #66 of 136 medium speakers at $130. The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 ranks #85 at $79.99, $50.01 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Flip Essential: Aux input for wired sources. The catch: Less bass than a Flip 5.
On the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 side: IP67 rated, floats, and is rated to survive a 5 ft drop onto hard surfaces. Watch for: Not stereo, barely any bass.
Buy the JBL Flip Essential if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip Essential | Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $79.99 |
| Ranked | #66 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #85 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g | 0.9 lbs / 420 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 2x 40mm active drivers + 2x passive radiators (46.1 x 65.2mm) |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 2.5" x 2.5" (169 x 64 x 64 mm) | 4.1" x 3.8" (104 x 95.3 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | - |
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 76Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 166ms |
| Max Volume | - | 87dB |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| Stereo | - | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip Essential: $130
Pros: Aux input for wired sources. IPX7 rated. Genuinely portable at under a pound; a cheaper, more basic alternative to the Flip 5.
Cons: Less bass than a Flip 5.
Full JBL Flip Essential review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Weight | / 1 lbs / 471 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3: $79.99 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and is rated to survive a 5 ft drop onto hard surfaces. 14 hour battery - longer than the Wonderboom 2.
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass. Boosted 93hz upper bass. Cuts bass heavily at high volume. 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 2022. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 76Hz |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 166ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1" x 3.8" (104 x 95.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm active drivers + 2x passive radiators (46.1 x 65.2mm) |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 87dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 420 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Danny Pops: Best Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker? Wonderboom 3 VS Sony XB-13 More from DannyPops →
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