Were you looking for a midrange portable speaker and now you’re stuck between UE Megaboom 3 and JBL Flip 6? If this is the case, and you want to know which one provides the best bang for your buck, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I’ll take you through a detailed comparison of these speakers. And I hope that by the end, you’ll be able to decide which one is best for you. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
What’s in The Box?
UE Megaboom 3
- The speaker
- Micro-USB charging cable with power adapter
- User manual
JBL Flip 6
- The speaker
- A Type C USB cable
- Quick start manual
- Safety sheet
- Warranty card
Why UE Megaboom 3 is Better than JBL Flip 6?
- It has a longer battery life (20 hours vs 12 hours)
- It offers punchier bass
- It features wireless dock charging
Why JBL Flip 6 is Better than UE Megaboom 3?
- It has a shorter recharging time (2.5 hours vs 3 hours)
- It features a more advanced Bluetooth version (5.1 vs 4.2)
- It is 375 grams lighter (925 g vs 550 g)
UE Megaboom 3 vs JBL Flip 6: Features Comparison
Before we start digging into the details, I want you to go through this comparison table.
| Features | JBL Flip 6 | UE Megaboom 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 63 – 20 kHz | 60 – 20 kHz |
| Battery time | 12 hours | 20 hours |
| Charge Time | 2.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Charging Cable Type | USB-C | Micro-USB |
| Weight | 0.55 kg | 0.92 kg |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Powerbank Feature | No | No |
| Multiple Speakers Pairing Feature | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Commands | No | No |
| AUX input | No | No |
| Charging Dock Compatibility | No | Yes |
| App Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
How Do They Compare in Sound Quality?
After unboxing, I spent hours playing bass-boosted beats and Adele’s solos to find out which speaker sounded better.
To be honest, there isn’t much of a difference, but it’s still enough to affect your choice. The UE Megaboom 3 has a little muffled sound, while the JBL Flip 6 has a much clearer sound. This is what makes it fantastic for intense, loud electric music.
Are you looking for a party speaker with amazing clarity? The JBL Flip 6 is the one.
However, if you’re all about the bass, the UE Megaboom 3 would be the right option here. It has a slightly deeper and punchy effect than the JBL Flip 6, making it ideal for bass-boosted vibrant music.
Both speakers are equally loud and you have customizable EQs in their respective apps. From there you can adjust the sound according to your liking.
If I had to pick one speaker based on the sound, I would go with the JBL Flip 6 because of the crystal clear sound.
Which One Has a Longer Battery Life?
The JBL Flip 6 offers a battery time of 12 hours and takes about 2.5 hours to recharge.During my testing, it lasted only 6 hours, despite being played at 60% volume most of the time. But thankfully you can keep playing it while charging. It also has a power-saving feature that shuts it off after 20 minutes of inactivity.
The UE Megaboom 3 has a battery life of 20 hours and it takes 3 hours to fully recharge. In my experience, it kept playing for 17.5 hours (at 60% volume) which is great for a one-pound device. However, at full volume, it would only last for 8 hours.
In terms of battery life, the JBL Flip 6 doesn’t even come close to the UE Megaboom 3.
Which One is Better in Design and Portability?
The JBL Flip 6 has a height of 178 mm and measures 72 mm in diameter. On the contrary, the UE Megaboom 3 is 87 mm wide and 225 mm in length. Consequently, the JBL Flip 6 weighs only 0.55 kg while the UE Megaboom 3 weighs 0.92 kg. Do you need a portable lightweight speaker? The JBL Flip 6 is the way to go.
When it comes to design, the JBL Flip 6 has a slightly oblong shape and the UE Megaboom 3 has a cylindrical design. With the hang loop on both speakers, you can quickly fasten them to your backpack before heading out.
Regarding portability and design, the JBL Flip 6 is the clear winner.
What’s The Difference in Connectivity Features?
The JBL Flip 6 features a USB-C charging port and allows you to wirelessly connect 2 devices at the same time.It also features USB charging protection, which alerts you with a sound to detach the cable if it detects water, sand, or similar substances in the port.The JBL Flip 6 has a 5.1 Bluetooth version, whereas the UE Megaboom 3 features a 4.2 Bluetooth version. As a result, the Flip 6 has a more stable connection.
It is compatible with the JBL mobile app, so you can easily control your speaker from your phone and also get updates. Thanks to the PartyBoost feature, you can pair up 2 or more compatible speakers to crank up the fun at your parties.
Contrarily, the UE Megaboom 3 features a micro-USB cable and you can pair up to 8 devices simultaneously. Owing to the BOOM mobile app compatibility, you get features like remote turn on/off, customizable EQ (with four presets for different moods), and much more.
Are you a party animal? If you are, then you’re going to love the PartyUp feature. It allows you to pair not one, not two but up to 150 compatible speakers to build a sound wall. Just imagine how thrilling the experience would be.
The UE Boom 3 also has wireless dock charging, but you’ll have to buy the docking station separately.
Time to choose a winner! I think the UE Megaboom 3 takes the lead in the connectivity features.
Final Thoughts: Which One Offers Better Value For Money?
There! You’re all caught up with the differences between the JBL Flip 6 and the UE Megaboom 3. Let’s find out which one fits your budget bracket.
The UE Megaboom 3 costs you 150$ while the JBL Flip 6 is only priced at 90$. In my opinion, the JBL Flip 6 offers a better value for money.
If you need a slightly better sound, longer battery life, a sleeker look, and the price doesn’t bother you, the UE Megaboom 3 is the way to go. However, if you’re on a tight budget and want a decent portable speaker in the 100$ range, the JBL Flip 6 is a great choice.
Are you still confused about which one to go for? And if you have any queries about these speakers, feel free to reach me in the comment below.
FAQs
Yes, both speakers have admirable dust and water resistance. With an IP67 rating, both speakers can be fully submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes. The UE Megaboom 3 even floats on water, if you accidentally drop it in your pool.
No, both speakers don’t have a USB port that you can use to power your other devices.
Both speakers are made of a sturdy material and have a fabric mesh covering. But, out of curiosity, I dropped these speakers from a 1-meter height onto a wooden floor. Both speakers worked just fine after the drop, as I expected.
I’m Shaun Conroy, an audiophile & founder of HiFi Audios. Holding a Bachelor’s in Sound Engineering, I bring deep expertise in audio devices and offer insights & recommendations to fellow enthusiasts.
