JBL Grip vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Grip. It ranks #99 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $99.95; the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 ranks #170, rated 2.1/5, and costs $200, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.

JBL Grip vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4

The JBL Grip is the better-sounding, lighter option. Ambient light on the back with settable themes. At 0.8 lbs (385 g) it weighs much less than the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 at 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg). Watch for: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip.

The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 is the longer-running option. IP67 rated, floats, and finally uses USB-C charging. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 14 for the JBL Grip. Watch for: A lot of distortion at higher volumes.

Buy the JBL Grip. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Grip Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4
Price$99.95$200
Ranked#99 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#170 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Battery Life14 hours (Manufacturer specified)20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bass Extension (-10dB)~68Hz-
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
EQYes (7 band)Yes (via app)
IP RatingIP68IP67
Party ModeYes (Auracast)Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers)
TWSYesYes
Weight0.8 lbs (385 g)2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)
Bluetooth Version5.45.1
Drivers1x 43x80mm fullrange2x 50x50mm full-range + 2x 55x86mm passive radiators
Dimensions2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm)3.4” x 3.4” x 8.9” (87 x 87 x 225 mm)
Frequency Response70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)-
Amplifier Power16W-
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)No
OmnidirectionalNoYes
LightsYes-
Aux InputNoNo
StereoNoNo
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
StrapYes (strap)Yes (built-in loop)
Built-in Microphone-No
Maximum SPL-91dB (Manufacturer specified)

How JBL Grip compares with other leading options:

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 Grip: $99.95 Amazon $99.95 B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Grip ranking card

Pros: Ambient light on the back with settable themes. Measured bass extension of ~68Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Lacking deeper bass, definitely the worst of the JBL line until you get to the smaller clip. Not as much clarity as higher ranked speakers, rolled off highs and wavy midrange

Setup: EQ from Oluv in his post can help it a bit but still isn’t very neutral

ReleasedSep 2025 (1 year ago)
Amplifier Power16W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)~68Hz
Battery Life14 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.4
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Dimensions2.5” x 6” x 2.6” (64 x 152 x 65 mm)
Drivers1x 43x80mm fullrange
EQYes (7 band)
Frequency Response70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP68
LightsYes
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapYes (strap)
TWSYes
Weight0.8 lbs (385 g)

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4: $200 Amazon $200 eBay

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 ranking card

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

ReleasedJun 2024 (2 years ago)
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.1
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions3.4” x 3.4” x 8.9” (87 x 87 x 225 mm)
Drivers2x 50x50mm full-range + 2x 55x86mm passive radiators
EQYes (via app)
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL91dB (Manufacturer specified)
OmnidirectionalYes
Party ModeYes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
StrapYes (built-in loop)
TWSYes
Weight2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)