UE Miniroll vs JBL Clip 5

Bryn De Kocks | January 14, 2025

The JBL Clip 5 and Ultimate Ears Miniroll are two very similar speakers. The Miniroll undoubtedly draws inspiration from the Clip’s design and popularity. With both speakers costing around the same amount, you may wonder which is the better speaker to buy. We will help you decide by putting both of these portable Bluetooth speakers up against each other and comparing their design, performance, and value.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UE Miniroll maintains better stability better than the Clip 5.
  • The Clip 5 has mobile support with custom EQ, while the Miniroll lacks app support.
  • The UE Miniroll has stronger bass, but the Clip has superior clarity.
  • While similar, the Clip 5’s PlaytimeBoost gives it a slight advantage.
JBL Clip 5 Camo

Winner

JBL Clip 5

The Clip 5’s bright and detailed sound makes it a superior speaker to the Miniroll, especially with its app support which, unlike the Miniroll, provides versatile audio adjustments.

Ultimate Ears Miniroll vs JBL Clip 5

ModelUE MinirollJBL Clip 5
Water ResistanceIP67IP67
Output PowerN/A7W
Bluetooth Version5.35.3
Bluetooth ProfilesA2DP 1.4A2DP 1.4, AVRCP 1.6
Battery LifeUp to 12 HoursUp to 15 Hours
Charging Time2.65 Hours3 Hours
Frequency ResponseN/A95 Hz – 20 kHz
Auracast (TWS/Pairing)YesYes
Weight8.4 oz10.08 oz
Dimensions4.13 x 4.83 x 1.9″3.4 x 5.3 x 1.8″
App SupportNoneJBL Portable
Price:Check PriceCheck Price
UE Miniroll vs JBL Clip 5 1

Design, Build, & Durability

Both of these speakers are small, easy to carry, and remarkably durable. Although they both have water and dust protection, the Miniroll has the advantage of a drop-resistance rating. The way they connect to objects is different, with the JBL Clip 5 having broader support but being less stable and able to swing around, while the Miniroll is better at staying put when latched onto larger objects.

Durability

Winner: UE Miniroll

The UE Miniroll and Clip 5 are both durable speakers, designed specifically for outdoor use. They even have the same fabric-wrap design which helps reduce scratches and other superficial damage to the speaker. However, the Miniroll has a slight advantage over the Clip in that it has drop resistance up to 4 feet.

Waterproofing

Winner: Tied

Water resistance is core to the design of both the Miniroll and Clip, with both speakers featuring an IP67 rating, meaning they are protected from water and dust. They can be used in heavy rain and also survive accidental drops into bodies of water, as long as they stay above 1 meter of depth for less than 30 minutes.

Since they have fabric-wrapped exteriors that easily pick up dirt, their waterproofing also aids in the cleaning process. Just use a hose with some pressure and dirt can then be easily dislodged from the crevices of the fabric.

Portability

Winner: Tied

Portability is central to the design of these speakers, as they’re made for everyday life. They’re small enough to fit in one’s pocket or be carried in the palm of the palm. What separates these speakers from other competitors with a similar size, is their built-in mechanisms that allow them to attach to other objects.

The UE Miniroll and Clip 5 have different ways of attaching to objects, with the Clip 5 using an integrated carabiner which has benefits and drawbacks. It’s easy to use and can fit onto a lot of objects, but swings around when attached to a bicycle for instance.

The Ultimate Ears Miniroll, in contrast, uses a rubber strap that is more stable when attached to most objects, including bicycles – which is likely to be a common use scenario for this speaker.

They both have strengths and weaknesses here, as the Clip 5 tends to hold its position better when hanging from small or thin objects, but for slightly thicker objects, the Miniroll is more stable.

Controls, Connectivity & App Support

The JBL Clip 5 wins this category due to its app support, which includes custom and preset EQs to change how the speaker sounds. The Miniroll, by contrast, has no app support. The controls are similar on both speakers but have different designs with the Miniroll’s volume buttons kind of feeling out of place for a speaker of its size (it takes up 3/4 of the speaker). Although they both support multispeaker pairing via Auracast, the Clip 5 has the benefit of supporting both TWS and general multispeaker pairing.

UE Miniroll

  • Bluetooth version
    5.3
  • Bluetooth profiles
    A2DP V1.4

JBL Clip 5

  • Bluetooth version
    5.3
  • Bluetooth profiles
    A2DP V1.4, AVRCP V1.6

Controls

Winner: Tied

While the Clip 5 and Miniroll have two very different approaches in how they position their controls, the functionality between them is nearly identical. Both speakers support the following actions:

  • Play/Pause
  • Volume up/Volume down
  • Skip track forward
  • Skip track backward
  • Multispeaker pairing

The Miniroll places its play/pause button along the side of the speaker, next to the power button. On the Clip 5 the play/pause is on the center front of the speaker. Both have their volume controls on the front, but the UE uses the same large volume controls found on their other releases.

While I understand that this is tied to their branding, it is easy to accidentally adjust the volume while handling the speaker, more so than on the Clip 5 where the controls are smaller and less likely to be accidentally pressed.

Bluetooth

Winner: Clip 5

Both speakers have the same Bluetooth version, 5.3. This modern release not only provides them with highly efficient audio compression and low latency but also introduces Auracast – a new type of pairing technology that works differently from previous generations.

Both speakers can hold a stable connection over distance, though the Clip 5 tends to retain its connection a little further than the Miniroll.

Multi-Speaker Pairing

Winner: Clip 5

The Ultimate Ears Miniroll and JBL Clip 5 both support multispeaker pairing and in fact, even support the same method. They use Auracast, a new wireless pairing method that was introduced in newer Bluetooth versions, forming a part of Bluetooth’s evolution in LE Audio (Low-Energy Audio).

Auracast, unlike previous generations of wireless pairing, is a global standard, and while it doesn’t guarantee cross-brand pairing, it does theoretically support that ability if the manufacturers get on board with it.

The UE Miniroll can be paired with other Minirolls, but not in a true stereo connection. In contrast, the Clip 5 can be paired with other Clip 5s in either TWS or general multispeaker pairing. The Clip 5 also has the benefit of being able to be paired with a range of other new JBL releases, while the Miniroll can only be paired with the same model.

App Support

Winner: Clip 5

It’s a one-horse race when it comes to companion apps, with the UE Miniroll not having one. In contrast, the Clip 5 uses the JBL Portable app available on Apple and Android, giving you access to multispeaker pairing and even a custom EQ.

This is a strong benefit of the Clip 5, as the custom EQ gives comprehensive control over how the speaker sounds. You can adjust the bass, mids, and treble independently to create a sound signature that works for you. It can also be adjusted in seconds, meaning specific use scenarios can be catered to without much effort.

If the Miniroll had come with an EQ, it could have helped in adjusting the somewhat niche sound that it produces, which we’ll cover below.

Audio Performance

The JBL Clip 5 is a better-sounding speaker than the UE Miniroll for most purposes. It has significantly more clarity, particularly with vocals. The Miniroll has a stronger bass though, which will appeal to a large group of people. However, the strong bass from the Miniroll also causes it to sound a little muddy.

UE Miniroll

  • Power Output
    N/A
  • Frequency Response Range
    N/A
  • Drivers
    1x 1.75” (45mm)

JBL Clip 5

  • Power Output
    7W
  • Frequency Response Range
    95 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Drivers
    1x 1.75” (45mm)

Highs

Winner: Clip 5

High frequencies aid in creating a bright sound with the perception of added detail and clarity, and the JBL Clip 5’s highs are outstanding for a speaker of its size. In contrast, the UE Miniroll lacks the same brightness, with most of its emphasis on the lows. The result is that the Miniroll sounds muddier than the Clip 5, which is particularly noticeable when listening to electronic music where highs form essential elements of the track.

Mids

Winner: Clip 5

The midrange frequencies of a speaker represent a large majority of instruments and vocal ranges, and the Clip 5 has outstanding mids that are super clear, even when the speaker is played quite loudly. In contrast, the Miniroll has a more subdued midrange, instead favoring a bass-heavy sound that tends to reduce the clarity and prominence of vocals.

Both speakers sound good when listening to podcasts, as there are fewer bass frequencies to interfere with the vocal clarity. However, even when listening to podcasts the Clip 5 comes out ahead.

Bass

Winner: Miniroll

While both speakers have impressive bass for their size, the UE Miniroll comes out slightly ahead with a more punchy, prominent bass than the Clip 5. This isn’t surprising, especially when we consider how Ultimate Ears tunes their speakers. They tend to prioritize strong bass over vocal clarity.

Soundstage & Dynamics

Winner: Clip 5

The JBL Clip 5 outperforms the UE Miniroll in both soundstage and dynamics. While the Miniroll has a lot going for it, there isn’t a lot of separation in the sound, and when the volume is turned up on both speakers, the Clip 5 is able to retain a lot more subtle details, making tracks sound more nuanced and lifelike.

Volume

Winner: Clip 5

When measuring the volume of these two speakers, their performance is neck and neck, with the Clip 5 producing 85.5 dB and the Miniroll achieving 85 dB. However, measurements don’t tell the whole story.

Because JBL’s Clip 5 has more emphasis on the midrange and in particular the upper mids, which influence both vocals and many instruments, it still sounds louder than the Miniroll when played next to each other. That’s because the tuning can impact our perception of volume.

If the Miniroll had an adjustable EQ, it could make up some ground here – but since it doesn’t, the Clip 5 is still a slightly louder-sounding speaker.

Battery Performance

Winner: Clip 5

UE Miniroll

  • Battery Type
    Lithium-ion
  • Charging time
    2.65 hours
  • Estimated Playtime
    Up to 12 Hours
  • Cable Type
    USB-C

JBL Clip 5

  • Battery Type
    Lithium-ion
  • Charging Time
    3 hours
  • Estimated Playtime
    Up to 15 Hours
  • Cable Type
    USB-C

Battery performance is similar between both speakers, with both rated to provide 12 hours of playtime. However, the Clip 5 has a slight advantage with its PlaytimeBoost, which reduces bass levels in exchange for some additional playtime. With PlaytimeBoost enabled, the Clip 5 can squeeze out an additional 3 hours of playtime.

When it comes to charging times, the Miniroll comes out slightly ahead, recharging in about 20 minutes less than the Clip 5.

Keep in mind that the exact amount of time the battery will last depends both on the volume levels and features being used.

Price & Value

For around $80, both these speakers have a place in the market. Although the Clip 5 is undeniably a clearer-sounding speaker, the heavy bass and versatile strap design of the Miniroll are valuable features that will appeal to many buyers.

The Clip 5 feels more polished and overall like the better pick – but if you’re one of those people who prefer what the UE has to offer, there’s nothing wrong with opting for the Miniroll instead, just be aware of what you’re leaving on the table.

Additionally, you could consider the Sony XB-100 which has more clarity than the Miniroll, and more bass than the Clip 5 – but it doesn’t feature a clip mechanic, only a carry handle.

Conclusion

Overall, both speakers have value, especially for those wanting something casual that improves the sound quality of their phone’s speaker, or for hiking trips, cycling, or listening to podcasts. I would recommend the JBL Clip 5 because of its outstanding clarity and detail, as well as its mobile app support which the UE Miniroll lacks.

This doesn’t necessarily speak to the weaknesses of the UE Miniroll, but rather the strengths of the Clip 5- after all, the Clip 5 is our top pick for the best small Bluetooth speaker.

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Author: Bryn De Kocks

Bryn has worked in the field for several years, writing in-depth speaker reviews for various audio publications. His work has historically focused on headphones and Bluetooth speakers, while incorporating his understanding of the Bluetooth speaker market to help educate potential buyers.

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Originally Published: November 8, 2024

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