UE Boom 2 VS JBL Flip 5

This time, we have UE Boom 2 vs JBL Flip 5 – an intense battle between ultra-compact Bluetooth speakers. Both products are very tough and portable. UE Boom 2 and JBL Flip 5 are fully waterproof, meaning that you can take them to the pool, the beach, or your next hiking adventure without any risk. So, which one will give you the best performance and overall value for your money?

Continue reading our discussion below to learn all about UE Boom 2 vs JBL Flip 5:

• The comparison of their design, size, and build quality
• The connectivity options available on UE Boom 2 and JBL Flip 5
• The battery life comparison between UE Boom 2 and JBL Flip 5
• The sound quality of UE Boom 2 vs JBL Flip 5
• Whether you should get UE Boom 2 or JBL Flip 5 to get the most out of your money

UE Boom 2 vs JBL Flip 5: Build Quality

For sure, UE Boom 2 will impress you with its rugged construction. It is covered in a nice fabric except on the top, bottom, and front, which have a rubberized plastic plate instead. On the front, you can easily spot the signature volume buttons in the form of huge plus and minus signs. It is available in various color variants like the black Phantom Edition and the blue Brainfreeze.

UE Boom 2 boasts an IPX7 rating, so it is not only resistant to water splashes, but also able to survive submersion under water at a maximum depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. This speaker may not appear really tough, but don’t be fooled by the thin shape – it can survive drops without a scratch.

The bottom of UE Boom 2 has a small metal hook that can be handy for attaching a carabiner or a string. The only downside about the design is that it is a little bit too thin. As a result, it can be awkward to grasp, and if you try to put this speaker into a bottle pocket that has no elastic band, it probably will be loose and easy to fall off.

JBL Flip 5 is also incredibly tough and rugged. The speaker is surrounded by a durable fabric, while the left and right ends hold the bass radiators that are protected by thick rubber plates. JBL Flip 5 also boasts an IPX7 rating and is available in a wide range of colors, such as black, white, red, teal, and camo.

However, JBL Flip 5 is better in terms of design. The power and Bluetooth buttons are backlit, so they are really easy to find in a dark environment. It also has a small loop if you want to hang it on something. It is compact and lightweight, but it has just the right amount of girth for easy handling. It can fit into a typical bottle pocket on the side of a backpack perfectly.

	UE Boom 2	JBL Flip 5
Product Dimensions	2.5 x 2.5 x 7 inches	3.64 x 3.6 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight	1.2 pounds	1.6 pounds
Best offer	Check price	Check price

UE Boom 2 vs JBL Flip 5: Connectivity

If you want a speaker that can work with not only Bluetooth but also a 3.5mm audio cable, UE Boom 2 should be your choice. If you open the flap at the bottom, you can find the input jack along with the Micro USB charging port. This makes the speaker more versatile, as it is not restricted to only Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Nevertheless, the Bluetooth connection is great. The specs say that UE Boom 2 can be as far as 100 feet from the source device. When tested, it can maintain good sound without any drop in the playback within a range of 30 feet.

The mobile app of UE Boom 2 is great, too. It will allow you to adjust the volume and power the speaker on or off remotely. You can check the remaining battery life via the mobile app, set an alarm, and pair a second speaker if you want a louder sound. More importantly, the mobile app has a customizable EQ so that you can fine-tune the speaker’s sound.

JBL Flip 5, on the other hand, does not have any other connectivity option besides Bluetooth. This is somewhat annoying, because for example you won’t be able to use this speaker with a desktop computer or DVD player. Read also: Harman Kardon Onyx 5 VS 6 here.

JBL Flip 5 has a mobile app, but it doesn’t have much use. The only functions of the mobile app are for checking the remaining battery life, enabling or disabling audio feedback on button presses, and accessing the PartyBoost mode – which can pair a secondary speaker to create a stereo system or simply produce a louder sound. There is no adjustable equalizer, which is quite a shame.

UE Boom 2 vs JBL Flip 5: Battery Life

You can’t really go wrong with either speaker here because they both have strong battery life. Still, it should be noted that UE Boom 2 can last almost 3 hours longer than JBL Flip 5 with a full battery.

UE Boom 2 makes a bold claim in regards to battery life. It says that it can last for 15 hours from a single charge, which is really amazing for such a compact Bluetooth speaker. When tested in real life, it is able to provide continuous playback for about 12 hours – still impressive and definitely sufficient for a full day of hiking.

JBL Flip 5 is not able to last that long, but it still has a decent battery life. According to the specs, it can provide 12 hours of continuous playback per charge. In real use, the battery life is about 9.5 hours per charge. This is still enough to accompany you from the morning till near the evening on the side of the beach.

UE Boom 2 vs JBL Flip 5: Performance

Things are a bit more complicated when it comes to performance and sound quality. UE Boom 2 is able to produce a louder volume, which makes this speaker great for parties. However, JBL Flip 5 generally produces a more detailed and more pleasing sound.

UE Boom 2 does not produce much bass. It doesn’t reach as low as most people want it to. While it is still able to give kicking lows, there isn’t much depth. Meanwhile, the mids are somewhat fuzzy because they get mixed with the lows. The highs have plenty of detail, but are a little bit too sharp.

On the positive side, UE Boom 2 can get really loud, which is what you want if you simply need a speaker for singing along with your friends. Plus, you can try to tweak the EQ to optimize the sound quality a little.

JBL Flip 5 can produce noticeably better sound. There is more bass here. Although it is not exactly kicking, the lows get a gentle boost, and there is a nice sense of depth to them. The lows are properly separated from the mids, which remain clear and easy to hear. The highs are slightly attenuated, so you won’t get a wide soundstage, but on the positive side you won’t get sharp, scratching highs.

JBL Flip 5 can be fairly loud, but not loud enough to fill a medium-sized room with lots of people. It remains a valid choice if you need a good-sounding speaker for private listening or just sharing your music with a couple of friends.

Conclusion

In general, JBL Flip 5 is superior in terms of design and sound quality. You should get this speaker if you want good quality sound. However, if you think that getting a loud volume without distortion and long battery life is more important, UE Boom 2 can be your choice.