When it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers, there are a lot of options on the market. Two of the most popular brands are JBL and UE, and their latest models are the Flip 6 and the Boom 3. So, which one is better?
Both Bluetooth speakers offer a lightweight and portable design, good sound quality, and long battery life at an almost identical price point.
To help you decide we have dedicated this post to a neck-to-neck comparison of JBL Flip 6 vs UE Boom 3. We will go over their key similarities and differences, and their competitive edge in different departments.
JBL Flip 6 Vs UE Boom 3: General Comparison Table
| JBL Flip 6 | Ultimate Ears Boom 3 | |
| Release Date | December 6, 2021 | August 30, 2018 |
| Predecessor | JBL Flip 5 | UE Boom 2 |
| Check Prices on Amazon | Link | Link |
| Competition | JBL Charge 5, Sonos Roam, Sony xb33, Anker Soundcore Motion+ | Sony xb23, Bose Soundlink Mini 2, Sonos One, Marshall Emberton |
| Price Range | $120 – $130 | $110 – $130 |
| Dimensions | 7 x 2.8 inches | 7.2 x 2.8 inches |
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Grey, Pink, Red, Teal, White | Ultraviolet Purple, Cloud, Denim, Storm, Lagoon Blue, Nightblack, Sunset Red |
| Waterproofing (Float) | Yes, IP67 (No) | Yes, IP67 (Yes) |
| Voice Assistant Support | Yes | Yes (Alexa) |
| Microphone | No | No |
| Connect to other speakers | PartyBoost (Connect upto 100 JBL Speakers) | PartyUp (Connect upto 150 UE Speakers) |
| Companion App | JBL Portable | Boom and MegaBoom by UE |
| Battery Life (Charging Time) | 12 hours (2.5 h) | 15 hours (2.75 h) |
JBL Flip 6 Vs UE Boom 3: Price and Value:
There is an almost three years difference between the release of the JBL Flip 6 and UE Boom 3. The former is a newer model and so it is hard to get it at a discounted price at this time.
UE Boom 3 was released at around $170 back in 2018, but now you can find it for as low as $150. On the other hand, JBL Flip 6 was released in Sept 2021 with a price tag of $130.
Winner: JBL Flip 6
JBL Flip 6 Vs UE Boom 3: Build and Design
In the design department, they have an almost identical design-cylindrical shape. Though there is a slight difference in size and weight. JBL Flip 6 weighs 1.21 lbs (550 grams) and has dimensions of 7.0 x 2.6 inches, while UE Boom 3 weighs 1.34 lbs (608 grams) and dimensions are 7.2 x 2.8 inches.
The water and dust resistance is another domain where they are alike. These speakers come with an IP67 rating, which essentially means that both can withstand being submerged in water up to 1m for 30 minutes. You can both shower and swim with these portable speakers. Also, both have decent dust resistance which makes them suitable for beach parties.
UE Boom 3 is more durable thanks to its high-density fabric finish originally designed for motorcycle jackets and fire equipment. Also, it comes in multiple finishes. However, JBL Flip 6 does not lag far behind with its 9 vibrant finishes and rugged exterior.
The layout of the buttons is different for each speaker. JBL Flip 6 has a power and Bluetooth button on a rubber panel along the body and all other buttons are also on the same side. The UE Boom 3 has all its buttons at the top, and two large, visible Plus and Minus buttons along the body.
Winner: Draw
JBL Flip 6 vs UE Boom 3: Useful Features
Some of the most useful features that these portable Bluetooth speakers offer are Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support and the ability to link multiple speakers together.
The PartyUp feature on UE Boom 3 allows it to pair up to almost 150 UE Boom and UE Megaboom speakers. While JBL PartyBoost allows you to link up to 100 JBL Connect+ enabled speakers to your JBL Flip 6. Both speakers allow stereo mode as long as you connect only 2 UE Speakers or JBL speakers together.
Ultimate Ears Boom 3 can import a playlist from music streaming services like Apple Music on IOS and Deezer Premium on Android with a press of a ‘Magic Button. There is no such feature on JBL Flip 6.
There is also a difference in the Bluetooth range. UE Boom 3 has a wider range of 150 ft while JBL Flip 6 has a range of 130ft.
The smartphone app for JBL Flip 6 is dubbed JBL Portable, and it is available for both Android and IOS devices. It offers an easy way to manage the speaker settings, update its firmware, and control PartyBoost. It is a simple app with an impressive UX design, however, offers very limited functionalities.
On the other hand, the app for UE Boom 3 is called Boom & Megaboom by Ultimate Ears, and it is available on both platforms as well. It allows you to control the speaker, update its firmware, and manage the PartyUp feature. UE app may offer more functions but doesn’t enjoy the same level of UX design and simplicity as the JBL app.
Winner: UE Boom 3
JBL Flip 6 vs UE Boom 3: Sound quality
The JBL Flip 6 produces a well-balanced and clear sound, and it delivers an impressive bass performance. The lows are punchy, the mids are detailed, and the highs are not harsh. The maximum volume is pretty loud and can fill up a small room without any problem.
On the other hand, UE Boom 3 also offers a well-balanced sound quality with detailed mids and highs. The bass performance is not as good as the JBL Flip 6, but it is still punchy and loud enough. The overall volume is a bit lower than that of the JBL speaker.
When it comes to sound quality, both speakers are pretty evenly matched. However, JBL Flip 6 sonic capabilities significantly edge out UE Boom 3.
Winner: JBL Flip 6
JBL Flip 6 vs UE Boom 3: Battery Performance
Portable speakers are not only defined by their portability in terms of size and weight but also by battery life. Fortunately, both Bluetooth speakers excel in this department.
JBL Flip 6 offers up to 12 hours of playtime when fully charged. UE Boom 3 has a slightly larger battery, so it can play for up to 15 hours on a single charge.
We can easily conclude here that UE Boom 3 has better battery life. However, it is also worth mentioning that JBL Flip 6 only takes 2.5 hours to charge completely, while UE Boom 3 takes a bit longer – around 2.75 hours.
Winner: UE Boom 3
Final Verdict:
Not all departments matter the same. Even if the UE has a clear advantage in some, like battery life and design department, it doesn’t make up for the JBL’s better sound quality. The JBL Flip 6 is the better option out of these two portable Bluetooth speakers.
Also, JBL Flip 6 offers more value for your money and offers an edge to outdoorsmen with its lightweight design.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does the JBL Flip 6 have good bass?
The JBL Flip 6 offers decent bass for its size, although it doesn’t compare to the thumping bass of something like the Boom 3. It’s still good enough to enjoy your favorite tunes and is more than adequate for outdoor activities.
Is JBL Flip 6 Better than Flip 5?
The JBL Flip 6 is an impressive upgrade to its predecessor, the JBL Flip 5. With improved sound quality and longer battery life, the JBL Flip 6 offers more than what the Flip 5 has to offer. The sound quality has been improved as well as the connectivity range (Bluetooth 5.0). The new Flip 6 offers multiple new EQ options and is dustproof.