Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Miniroll. It ranks #12 of 62 small speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5) at $50.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Clip ranks #46 (rated 2.7/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Clip’s replacement, the JBL Clip 5, is rated 3.4/5 at $49.95.
The Ultimate Ears Miniroll is the better-sounding, longer-running option. Good clarity and detail in the mids and highs, with a warmer balance than most speakers its size. It is rated for 12 hours of battery against 5 for the JBL Clip. It is rated IP67, while the JBL Clip has no water resistance. It links with other speakers (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only), which the JBL Clip cannot. Watch for: Bass does not reach as deep as the best-rated speakers.
The JBL Clip is the lighter choice. Very compact and light (5.3 oz) with an integrated carabiner. At 0.3 lbs (158 g) it weighs much less than the Ultimate Ears Miniroll at 0.6 lbs (279 g). It keeps a wired aux input, which the Ultimate Ears Miniroll lacks. The tradeoff: Quite a lack of bass.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Miniroll. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Clip is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Miniroll | JBL Clip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $50.99 | $50 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #12 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #46 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Wall Wart |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (279 g) | 0.3 lbs (158 g) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes (integrated 3.5mm cable) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | 5.4” x 3.8” x 1.8” (137.2 x 96.5 x 45.7 mm) (Clip 3, original JBL Clip dimensions not available) |
| Charging Time | 2.3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 45.6mm active with passive radiator | 1.57” (40mm) driver |
| Amplifier Power | 3W RMS | 7W RMS |
| Maximum SPL | 83dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 3.0 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~95Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 vs Ultimate Ears Miniroll
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
Ultimate Ears Miniroll: $50.99 Amazon $50.99 eBay
Older model: the Ultimate Ears Roll 2 (rated 2.2/5). See every Ultimate Ears Roll generation.
Pros: Ultimate Ears Miniroll uses 45.6mm active with passive radiator. Its 279 g, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 83dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Good clarity and detail in the mids and highs, with a warmer balance than most speakers its size.
Cons: There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Bass does not reach as deep as the best-rated speakers.
Full Ultimate Ears Miniroll review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 3W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 83dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp/Auracast, Miniroll-only) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (279 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Clip: $50 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Clip 5, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Mar 2024. See every JBL Clip generation.
Pros: Very compact and light (5.3 oz) with an integrated carabiner. Has its own built-in 3.5mm aux cable, so you don’t need to carry one separately. Measured bass extension of ~95Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Quite a lack of bass. Mids are a little hollow. Discontinued.
Full JBL Clip review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 7W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes (integrated 3.5mm cable) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~95Hz |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.4” x 3.8” x 1.8” (137.2 x 96.5 x 45.7 mm) (Clip 3, original JBL Clip dimensions not available) |
| Drivers | 1.57” (40mm) driver |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Wall Wart |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (158 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons