Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Miniroll. It ranks #12 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $49.99; the JBL Clip 4 ranks #22 and costs $59.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Ultimate Ears Miniroll gets right: Good clarity and detail in the mids/highs with a warmer tonal balance than most ultra-portables its size. The catch: Bass not quite as deep as the best rated speakers.
What the JBL Clip 4 offers: Very light (0.4 lb) with a sturdy spring clip that attaches to bags/belts. Watch for: Quite a lack of bass.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Miniroll. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Clip 4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Miniroll | JBL Clip 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $59.95 |
| Ranked | #12 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #22 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 279 g | 0.5 lbs / 239 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 4.8" x 4.1" x 1.9" (122.7 x 105 x 48.1 mm) | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 135 x 46 mm) |
| Charging Time | 2.3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 45.6mm active with passive radiator | 1x 40mm (1.57") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| Output Power | 3W RMS | 5W |
| Max Volume | 83dB | 79dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 80Hz |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
| Frequency Response | - | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Ultimate Ears Miniroll: $49.99 Amazon
Pros: Good clarity and detail in the mids/highs with a warmer tonal balance than most ultra-portables its size.
Cons: Bass not quite as deep as the best rated speakers
Full Ultimate Ears Miniroll review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2.3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.8" x 4.1" x 1.9" (122.7 x 105 x 48.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 45.6mm active with passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 83dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 3W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 279 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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JBL Clip 4: $59.95 Amazon
Pros: Very light (0.4 lb) with a sturdy spring clip that attaches to bags/belts. Real-world battery life often beats the 10-hour rating.
Cons: Quite a lack of bass. Not very loud.
Full JBL Clip 4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 135 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 40mm (1.57") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 79dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 239 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Danny Pops: MICRO SPEAKERS - my take on JBL Clip 4 VS Wonderboom 2 VS Bose Micro
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