If you are in a hurry! here is a quick comparison betwenn Ultimate Ears Boom 3 and JBL Flip 5.
|
Model |
UE Boom 3 |
JBL Flip 5 |
|---|---|---|
|
Dimensions |
7.2 x 2.8 inches |
7.1 x 2.7 x 2.9 inches |
|
Weight |
1.34 lbs |
1.19 lbs |
|
Wireless pairing |
Ultimate Ears (UE) |
JBL PartyBoost |
|
Water resistance |
IP67 |
IPX7 |
|
Frequency range |
90Hz – 20kHz |
65Hz – 20kHz |
|
Charging Time |
2.75h |
2.25h |
|
USB Port |
Micro USB |
USB-C |
|
Battery Life |
Around 15 hours |
Around 12 hours |
|
Drivers |
2 |
1 (20 W RMS) |
|
Bluetooth |
Bluetooth 4.1 |
Bluetooth 4.2 |
|
Rating |
||
|
Price |
If you are thinking about buying a Bluetooth speaker, the best tactic is to go for the industry leaders. Currently, Ultimate Ears (UE) and JBL have the best Bluetooth speakers available on the market.
Although you cannot make a mistake by going with either brand, they have different features that can make users go to one over the other.
Both speakers are extremely good, waterproof, and durable. However, let’s put them head-to-head and find out which is better, JBL Flip 5 or UE Boom 3?
About Ultimate Ears
Ultimate Ears took the world by storm with their elegant two-tone Bluetooth speakers. The recipe for success is a high-quality and very durable speaker designed to withstand everything you throw in their path.
Logitech acquired the company, and from that point forward, they’ve been making outstanding Bluetooth speakers.
UE Boom 3
The UE Boom 3 is probably the speaker that went through a lot of changes to get to this level. Considering the size, it is not the best sounding speaker on the market, but it is still a condenser for the best speaker in the mid-sized category.
The UE Boom 3 has many gimmicks such as wireless charging, linking with other UE speakers, redesigned body, increased durability, and IP67 certification. So, it is much better than its predecessor.
Given its dimensions, you will be amazed at how loud this speaker is. Another great thing is that it is very portable, so you can take it with you wherever you go.
Pros
- Elegant and portable design
- Very durable
- IP67 Certificate (Waterproof and floats on water)
- Wireless charging available if you purchase a dock
- Very loud
Cons
- Sound quality is not brilliant
- The wireless dock is sold separately
About JBL
JBL is the leader in the Bluetooth speaker market. They have a wide range of products for every occasion ranging from small to massive Bluetooth speakers.
They are mostly known for their high-quality and durable design capable of surviving every weather condition.
Considering that they’ve broken the world record by selling 100 million Bluetooth speakers, it is safe to say that they are trendy among consumers, and they have a lot to offer.
JBL Flip 5
The JBL Flip 5 is the latest product in their Flip series, and it is much better than its predecessor.
At first glance, most JBL speakers look identical. The Flip 5 has the same cylindrical shape as most JBL Bluetooth speakers, and it is made from the same high-quality and durable materials as all other models.
The sound quality is outstanding, as it can produce shockingly precise and clear sounds. The JBL Flip 5 also has passive bass radiators that are responsible for adding an extra kick.
The Flip 5 is also waterproof with an IPX7 certificate, which means that it can be submerged in water for up to 3ft for 30 minutes.
It is a very portable speaker and even smaller than the UE Boom 3, which makes it perfect for traveling.
Pros
- IPX7 Certificate (waterproof)
- Very clear and precise sounds
- Made from high-quality materials
- Can be paired with other JBL Speakers
Cons
- Almost identical design as the previous version
- No AUX port
Face-to-Face
Which Is Better JBL Flip 5 or UE Boom 3?
Since both speakers are similar and perform outstanding, it is down to the minor detail to determine this comparison winner. Let’s go through each section and find out which one is the best, the Flip 5 or UE Boom 3.
Design and Build Quality
Both speakers are mid-sized, but the JBL Flip 5 is slightly lighter, but the UE Boom 3 is slimmer.
They have a similar cylindrical design, and they are compact and lightweight, making them very portable. The best thing is that both speakers are very durable and feature tough exterior, which protects them from accidental drops.
When it comes to aesthetics, the UE Boom 3 is far more eye-pleasing than the Flip 5 even though it is released two years before the Flip 5.
The UE Boom 3 has a sleek and modern design that works very well with the seven color options. Its high-grade fabric grille, the signature plus and minus signs, and the flat top and bottom is the reason why the UE Boom 3 is the winner in the design comparison.
Even though the JBL Flip 5 is released in 2019, somehow, it feels outdated. It features an almost identical design as all previous Flip models.
The JBL Flip 5 is waterproof with an IPX7 rating, which can be submerged in water up to 3 feet for 30 minutes, and on the other hand, the UE Boom 3 is IP67-rated, which means it can be submerged in water for 30 minutes and it is also dustproof.
Another great thing about the UE Boom 3 design is that when you drop the speaker in water, it will float. In contrast, the JBL Flip 5 will go down, and you will risk damaging your speaker if it gets submerged in water deeper than 3 feet.
Winner: UE Boom 3
More: Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 vs Life P2: Which Buds are the Best?
Audio Quality
Even though both Bluetooth speakers are similar, there is a noticeable difference in the audio quality.
First of all, the UE Boom 3 has two 2” drivers and two passive radiators, which means that it has stereo sound. On the other hand, the JBL Flip 5 has only one 20W speaker driver with passive bass radiators.
Even though their audio quality is excellent, we cannot expect the same incredible audio from high-end Bluetooth speakers.
They both have rich and powerful sound even though they are relatively small Bluetooth speakers.
If we compare the sound quality, the UE Boom 3 is louder than the JBL Flip 5 and has more intense bass. Additionally, you can access the EQ settings on the UE Boom 3 and customize them to fit your music.
The JBL Flip 5 is not an outsider in this category. It has cleaner bass and incredibly clean and undistorted highs and mids.
Winner: UE Boom 3
Battery
Both devices have different approaches when it comes to battery charging. The JBL Flip 5 uses a USB-C for very fast charge times, and the UE Boom 3 can be charged wirelessly.
Given that, they both have impressive battery life. The JBL Flip 5 has a playtime of 12 hours, and the UE Boom 3 has slightly more topping 15 hours between charges.
Another feature that you should pay attention to is the charging functionalities. As we mentioned, the JBL Flip 5 has a USB-C for more efficient charging, and the UE Boom 3 has more old-fashioned micro USB. That is why the JBL Flip 5 has
It is also essential to know that the option for wireless charging on the UE Boom 3 is only available if you purchase the charging dock separately.
More: Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs 2: Does it Worth the Upgrade?
Connectivity
Connectivity is an important thing to consider when you are buying your Bluetooth speaker. Even though the JBL Flip 5 has 4.2 Bluetooth version compared to the UE Boom 3 that has 4.1, it still has a smaller wireless connectivity range.
The UE Boom 3 has an incredible 45 meters of wireless connectivity range compared to the JBL Flip 5 that only has 10 meters of range.
Both speakers can be paired with others from the same brand. The JBL Flip 5 can be connected with 100 devices simultaneously, and the UE Boom 3 can be connected with more than 150 portable speakers.
This is not relevant since you will never have the option to find and connect that amount of devices in your life.
Both devices don’t have a 3.5mm audio input for wired playing, which is not a big drawback since most devices now have Bluetooth connectivity.
Winner: UE Boom 3
What’s the Difference Between UE Boom 3 and JBL Flip 5?
Sound Quality
Both Bluetooth speakers sound outstanding, given their small size. However, they both have different approaches when it comes to delivering sound waves.
Even though the JBL Flip 5 has a lower frequency range 65Hz – 20kHz compared to the UE Boom 3, which has 90Hz – 20kHz, the UE Boom 3 still has richer lower notes and more intense bass kick.
However, the JBL Flip 5 clarity and precision is far better than the UE Boom 3. So, if you want loudness and bass, get the UE Boom 3, and if you like clear notes and balanced mids and highs, you should get the JBL Flip 5.
More: JBL Xtreme 2 vs UE Megaboom 3: Which One Is the Best?
Sleep Timer
A sleep timer is a feature that is available on most JBL Bluetooth speakers. The JBL Flip 5 has a sleep timer feature which can be used to conserve battery life by turning off the speaker after a certain time without playing.
This is a useful feature since it is easy to forget your Bluetooth speaker on. The UE Boom 3 doesn’t have a sleep timer feature.
More: Jaybird x4 vs x3: Does it Worth the Upgrade?
Spatial 360-degrees sound
The UE Boom 3 comes with a rather interesting feature. They are using their cylindrical design to the max by delivering audio radiates evenly in all directions. This means that one speaker can fill the entire room with sound.
On the other hand, the JBL Flip 5 is delivering sound only in one direction.
More: JBL Flip 4 vs Flip 5: Which One is the Best Option?
Verdict
Choose the JBL Flip 5 if:
- You want a sharper and more precise sound.
- You want faster charge times.
- Most of your friends have JBL, and you want to pair with them.
- You want a durable Bluetooth speaker.
- You want a lighter Bluetooth speaker.
Choose the UE Boom 3 if:
- You want more eye-pleasing design.
- You want a louder Bluetooth speaker.
- You want longer battery life.
- You want wireless charging.
You cannot go wrong, choosing each of these speakers. They both perform very well, and since they are made from high-quality materials, they will last for a lifetime.
The UE Boom 3 seems like a better option if you compare individual characteristics, even though it was released almost two years before the JBL Flip 5.
So, it comes down to personal preference, and you will have the best mid-sized Bluetooth speaker, no matter if you choose the Flip 5 or UE Boom 3.
