Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Minirig 3 is the better pick: it ranks #8 of 164 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5), against #87 (rated 3.2/5) for the JBL Flip Essential. If you want one new, the Earfun Uboom L ranks #2 at $49.79.
The Minirig 3 is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. Modular, can easily attach a subwoofer. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 10 for the JBL Flip Essential. It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Flip Essential lacks. The catch: Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating.
The JBL Flip Essential is the tougher pick. 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. It is rated IPX7 against Splash resistant for the Minirig 3. The catch: Bass is lighter than the Flip 5 and the 80Hz claimed low-frequency limit means it cannot deliver real low-end weight.
Buy the Minirig 3 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Earfun Uboom L instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Minirig 3 | JBL Flip Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $140 Discontinued | $130 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #87 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 60ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | Proprietary USB cable | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) | / 1 lbs (471 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 4” x 2.9” (101.6 x 73 mm) (diameter x height) | 6.7” x 2.5” x 2.5” (169 x 64 x 64 mm) |
| Drivers | 70mm custom driver | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 16W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Earfun Uboom L vs Minirig 3
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- Minirig 3 vs Minirig 4
- Minirig 2 vs Minirig 3
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
Minirig 3: $140 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Minirig 4, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5.
Pros: Modular, can easily attach a subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Calls itself splash resistant and has no official water rating. App is buggy. Wireless TWS pairing is buggy. A bit expensive. Has reliability issues more often than any other speaker. Discontinued; Minirig now sells only the Minirig 4, and the old product page redirects to it.
Full Minirig 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 60ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4” x 2.9” (101.6 x 73 mm) (diameter x height) |
| Drivers | 70mm custom driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary USB cable |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: B&O Beoplay A1 2nd gen vs Minirig mk3 bluetooth speaker More from alanrossreviews →
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig 4 vs Minirig 3, stuff they tell you, stuff they don’t! 😂
- Beautiful Zar DJ: MINIRIG 4 Vs MINIRIG 3 (50-100%Volume Audio Test)
- James from Canada: SOUND TESTS - Soundboks, Minirig 3, dB Technologies, Bose S1 Pro, etc - RAVE TEST
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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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