UE Roll 2 vs JBL Clip 2 - The Big Comparison
If you want a Bluetooth speaker which is ultra-portable, waterproof and is under $100 the obvious choice can be one of the speakers of the two popular brands the JBL and the Ultimate Ears.
The JBL offers the Clip 2 in this category while the Ultimate Ears has the Roll 2.
I have already reviewed both of them and I can tell you they are excellent speakers.
You can find the reviews here:
UE Roll 2 review - The best beach speaker
JBL Clip 2 review - The best ultra-portable speaker
They have many similarities but also some significant differences that are not always obvious at first look.
In my JBL Clip 2 vs UE Roll 2 comparison article, I will check the all attributes of the two speakers to help you decide which one to buy.
Bluetooth range
Battery life
Water protection
Pros
Cons
Bottom line
Bluetooth range:
- 20 feet
Battery life:
- 70% volume: 13 hours 20 minutes
- Maximum volume: 3 hours 40 minutes
Water protection:
- IPX7 certification
- It can be submerged into 1-meter-deep water for 30 minutes
Pros:
- Lightweight, easy to carry around
- Durable, waterproof design
- Good battery life
- The carabiner clip is very handy
Cons:
- Weak Bluetooth range
- Lacking bass
- Hard to reach the charging port
Bottom line:
If you need something more portable and durable with better battery life, then go with the JBL Clip 2.
Bluetooth range:
- 50 feet
Battery life:
- 70% volume: 11 hours 30 minutes
- Maximum volume: 2 hours 10 minutes
Water protection:
- IPX7 certification
- It can be submerged into 1-meter-deep water for 30 minutes
Pros:
- Waterproof slim design
- It can be attached to anything
- Floatie is a good new accessory
- Very loud, clear sound
Cons:
- Bad design of the charging port flap
- Missing music control capability
- Weak bass
Bottom line:
If you would like to have a speaker with better sound or if you would mainly use it on the beach or by a pool, then choose the UE Roll 2.
JBL Clip 2 vs UE Roll 2 comparison video
Price
At the date of this review (01.11.2017), the JBL Clip 2 was available around $50 while you could buy the Roll 2 around $70 depending on the selected color.
So the Roll 2 is the more expensive unit.
Design is similar
The speakers do not look the same but design-wise there are lots of similarities.
Both have a rounded shape and their front is completely covered by the speaker grille while their back is made from a matt finished rubberized plastic.
Both are solid, durable devices.
In terms of the size, the JBL Clip 2 is the smaller, more portable model.
It is easier to put it into your pocket or slip into a smaller bag but the size of the UE Roll 2 is also still in the ultra-portable category.
In my opinion, the look of the UE Roll 2 is a bit more stylish but it is just the matter of personal taste.
Both are waterproof
Both devices got IPX7 water protection, so there is no difference here.
This means, they are not just splash proof but completely waterproof, they can be submerged into 1-meter-deep water for 30 minutes.
They have good attachment options
What makes both speakers super portable that they got unique attachment options.
The Clip 2 has a carabiner on its top while the UE Roll 2 has an elastic cord on its back, called Bungee.
With these, you can attach the speakers to literary anything for example to your belt, bike or to a beach umbrella.
Since they are waterproof you can also attach them to your boat or to your SUP.
I think both solutions work well, however, I prefer the carabiner of the JBL Clip 2 just because it seems to be more durable and it is replaceable.
So you can replace it if it breaks or if you want one with a different shape or size.
The Bunge is not replaceable on the UE Roll 2, so if it gets damaged you lose this attachment option.
Hard to connect the charging cable
By both models, the charging port is covered by a waterproof flap and the port lies deep in the device, so it is hard to connect the cable to it.
I am not happy with the placement of the ports on any of the devices but I think it is worse on the UE Roll 2.
Connectivity
Regarding the connectivity, both devices can be connected via Bluetooth or via an audio cable.
The Roll 2 has an audio input port while the Clip 2 has a built-in audio cable.
Regarding the Bluetooth range, the UE Roll 2 was the winner in my outdoor test.
I measured around 50 feet range while it was only around 20 feet by the JBL Clip 2.
Microphone, music control
One difference between the two devices that the Clip 2 has a microphone unlike the Roll 2 so can be used as a loudspeaker to answer phone calls.
It also has some limited music control capability which means you can play/pause music and jump to the next song.
Unfortunately, the Roll 2 does not have any music control capability you can only adjust the volume of the song.
Accessories
Both speakers come with a micro USB cable and the UE Roll 2 has an additional accessory which is the Floatie.
The Floatie is a mini inflatable life preserver which helps the speaker to float on the water when you use it in a lake or in a pool.
The Clip 2 did not get such accessory and although it floats on the water, it does not float on its back so you cannot listen to music when it is in the water.
For the Roll 2, you can download a mobile app which provides some handy features like you can set an alarm using your own music or turn on/off the speaker remotely.
There is no mobile app available for the Clip 2.
Battery life
In my battery test where I played various types of songs at around 70% volume, the JBL Clip 2 had 13 hours 20 minutes playtime while the UE Roll 2 had 11 hours 30 minutes.
Repeating the same test on full volume, I measured 3 hours 40 minutes by the Clip 2 and 2 hours 10 minutes by the Roll 2.
So in terms of battery life, the Clip 2 is the winner.
It’s worth to mention that the Roll 2 can tell you the exact remaining battery percentage when you press the volume up and down buttons simultaneously.
However, the Clip 2 does not have any battery indicator, only a led turns to red when the battery is low.
UE Roll 2 vs JBL Clip 2 Sound Comparision
Both speakers have a nice, clean sound they mostly play music without distortions.
However, the UE Roll 2 is around 30% louder than the Clip 2 and it has a fuller, richer sound.
The Clip 2 sounds a bit thin compared to the Roll 2 and also the bass of the Roll 2 is deeper and more powerful.
Overall, the bass is weak by both speakers and the deeper lows are missing.
Conclusion
I think both speakers are an excellent choice if you are looking for something in this size category.
If you need something more portable and durable with better battery life, then go with the JBL Clip 2.
If you would like to have a speaker with better sound or if you would mainly use it on the beach or by a pool, then choose the UE Roll 2.
If you still cannot decide, check the detailed reviews of the speakers:
UE Roll 2 review - The best beach speaker
JBL Clip 2 review - The best ultra-portable speaker
You can buy the UE Roll 2 here.
You can buy the JBL Clip 2 here.
Alternatives
Sony SRS-XB10
One alternative of the speakers can be the Sony SRS-XB10, which has much better bass than the UE Roll 2 and the JBL Clip 2.
It also has a strong 15 hours battery life and a built-in NFC chip as a plus feature.
However, it is only splash-proof, has a quite weak Bluetooth range and it tends to distort on the higher volume levels.
Click here to check the price and buy the Sony SRS-XB10.
Click here to read my full review about the Sony SRS-XB10.
Anker SoundCore 2
One of the best value speakers in this category is the Anker SoundCore 2.
It has a strong battery life, Bluetooth range and a better, wider sound with more powerful bass.
It feels solid and durable so it is a great outdoor speaker, however, it is bigger and heavier than the Clip 2 and the UE Roll 2.
It does not have an attachment option and it is only splash-proof.
Click here to check the price and buy the Anker SoundCore 2.
Click here to read my full review about the Anker SoundCore 2.
Bose SoundLink Micro
If you want a really portable Bluetooth speaker with an outstanding sound quality and do not mind to pay some extra bucks then the Bose SoundLink Micro is an excellent choice.
It is also completely waterproof and has a built-in elastic strap to fix the speaker when you carry it around.
It has a good bass production and an exceptionally good sound.
In my opinion currently, this is the best sounding pocket-sized Bluetooth speaker.
Its disadvantage is the relatively short battery life and the high price tag.
Click here to check the price and buy the Bose SoundLink Micro.
Click here to read my full review about the Bose SoundLink Micro.
JBL Flip 4
If you are considering to pay even more and go up one category than the JBL Flip 4 is a great choice.
It is also completely waterproof and with is two 8 Watts drivers and external passive radiators it provides a superior sound compared to the UE Roll 2 and the JBL Clip 2.
On the other hand, it is bigger, heavier and not so portable.
