Head-to-head · Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100

JBL Clip 5 vs Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

JBL Clip 5 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.1 vs 4.0). JBL Clip 5 is best for: Hikers, cyclists and commuters who want the easiest speaker to clip onto a bag or belt for personal, on-the-go listening. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100

JBL Clip 5

4.1

2 sources$59.95as of Oct 11

The JBL Clip 5 is the best ultra-portable clip-on speaker under $100, with a built-in carabiner that makes it the easiest speaker here to take anywhere. It adds a customizable 5-band EQ, IP67 durability, Bluetooth 5.3 and around 12 hours of battery, all in a package that weighs almost nothing. It won't fill a room, but as a personal, attach-to-anything speaker it's the class leader.

Strengths

— Genuinely useful built-in carabiner clips it to a bag, belt loop or branch
— Decent clarity and customizable 5-band EQ via the JBL Portable app
— IP67 waterproof and dustproof despite its tiny size

Watch-outs

— Sound gets crowded if you push the volume too high
— No speakerphone or aux input
— Mono sound only, though two can be paired for stereo

$59.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #3 in Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Under $100

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4

4.0

2 sources$74.5as of Oct 11

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 is the most rugged, take-anywhere speaker under $100, combining an IP67 rating with a floating, drop-proof body and omnidirectional 360-degree sound. It's punchy for its size and now charges over USB-C, which makes it a natural companion for a hike, pool or shower. The downsides are that it's only a small step up from the Wonderboom 3 and still lacks app support, but as a grab-and-go durable speaker it's hard to beat.

Strengths

— Omnidirectional 360-degree sound that stays consistent no matter how it's placed
— Modern USB-C charging finally replaces the old micro-USB port
— Compact, light and easy to clip or toss in any bag

Watch-outs

— Only a modest upgrade over the Wonderboom 3
— Still not supported by the Ultimate Ears companion app, so no EQ
— Not powerful enough to fill a large room or big backyard

$74.5 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

JBL Clip 5

The JBL Clip 5 shares an IP67 rating with the Sony SRS-XB100 and Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 and has an integrated carabiner for clipping to a bag or belt. It offers a 5-band EQ through the JBL Portable app, where the WONDERBOOM 4 has no app or EQ. Its 12-hour battery life is shorter than the SRS-XB100's 16 hours and the Anker Soundcore 2's 24 hours.

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4

The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 shares an IP67 rating with the JBL Clip 5 and Sony SRS-XB100 and has a floating, drop-proof body with 360-degree sound. It has no app or EQ, where the Clip 5 offers a 5-band EQ through the JBL Portable app. At 424 g it is heavier than the 274 g SRS-XB100, and its 14-hour battery life sits between the Clip 5's 12 hours and the Anker Soundcore 2's 24 hours.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	JBL Clip 5	Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4
Power Output	7W RMS	—
Battery Life	Up to 12 hours	Up to 14 hours
Waterproofing	IP67 (waterproof + dustproof)	IP67 (waterproof + dustproof), floats
Bluetooth	5.3	5.2
App EQ	JBL Portable (5-band EQ)	—
Mounting	Integrated carabiner	—
Charging	USB-C	USB-C
Drivers	Single full-range driver	Dual drivers + dual passive radiators (360-degree)
Wattage	7W	—
Range	—	Up to 131 ft (40 m)
Modes	—	Outdoor Boost, Podcast mode
Weight	—	424 g

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