UE Wonderboom 3 vs. JBL Flip 6 vs. Sony SRS-XB13 – Which one should we choose?

It is possible that the best wireless speakers, in value for money, are in this comparison. In it we are going to analyze the differences and similarities between UE Wonderboom 3 vs JBL Flip 6 vs Sony SRS-XB13. As you can see, we are facing three giants of sound technology, so we are going to see which one is more worthwhile. We have a clear conclusion, but we want to give you the information so that you can also draw your own.

We can anticipate that there are two of these speakers that have a plus of excellence in terms of audio quality, because they have a more complete transducer system. Of course, we must recognize that, in any of them, the music is heard perfectly. For this reason, we are not only going to focus on that section, but on others that can make a difference and help you choose.

For example, the connectivity options offered by each speaker, the battery life and charging time or the level of water resistance. What’s more, we already told you that one of the characteristics in which there are the most differences (to our surprise, we have to clarify) is the range of the three speakers. In a wireless speaker, it is essential to know how far we can move away without stopping working.

In short, if you are thinking of buying a quality wireless speaker but you are not sure which one to decide on, read our full review to clarify your ideas!

UE Wonderboom 3 vs. JBL Flip 6 vs. Sony SRS-XB13 – Comparison Table

In this comparison, we show you the main specifications of the three wireless speakers so that you can compare them at first glance. However, later we will explain in detail which are the most relevant differences and how to evaluate the three options:

(Slide the table to see all the content)

Three speakers, three designs

Aesthetics is the first thing that enters our eyes when we buy an electronic device, and therefore, it is the first thing we look at. In this case, there are three clearly differentiated designs in each of the wireless speakers that are the stars of our review. JBL bets on the Flip 6 for a design with a more cylindrical shape and larger dimensions , although with a somewhat narrower body to make it easy to transport.

Instead, Sony and Ultimate Ears (UE) prefer a more flattened design, with squarer dimensions in their speakers, which are lower and wider. However, there are also differences between them. The UE Wonderboom 3 has an accessory from which you can hang a strap, but this is not included. Instead, the Sony SRS-XB13 does have a built-in strap for easy portability, and it’s also a lighter speaker, weighing half as much as the Wonderboom 3.

As for the colors, all of them are available in a wide variety of colors. The Sony and the Wonderboom 3 offer more explosive colors, such as lemon yellow or turquoise blue. For its part, the JBL Flip 6 are also available in a wide range of colors, but in more pastel tones.

Let’s talk sound quality

Sound technology is the most important aspect when comparing different speakers, because it is what we are all looking for in them. For this reason, it is interesting to take a look at what type of transducers each model includes, as well as other technical aspects that we are going to tell you about now.

The Wonderboom 3 have two active speakers and two passive radiators, and offer a power output that reaches 87 decibels. The JBL Flip 6 have a woofer, a tweeter and two passive radiators, and the output power is 20 W and 10 W on both speakers. Instead, the Sony SRS-XB13s have a full-range speaker and a passive radiator. In practice, Wonderboom and JBL speakers are a level above Sony in terms of sound quality and clarity.

And, if we had to opt for a model, it would be the JBL Flip 6. The reason is that the speakers it has offer a more precise sound in both bass and treble, which makes the range of sounds it can reproduce more broad. In fact, the frequency range is higher in the JBL, although we must admit that the Wonderboom 3 are also excellent in this regard.

Autonomy: small changes

Battery life is another aspect that we pay most attention to when comparing different speaker models. In this sense, it is important to keep in mind that the maximum autonomy is an approximate figure, but it may vary depending on the use we make of the speaker. Theoretically, the speakers with the longest autonomy are those of Sony, which work for up to 16 hours, followed by the Wonderboom 3 (14 hours) and the JBL Flip 6 (12 hours). 

All three models charge via USB-C, and while the Wonderboom and JBL charge in 2.5 hours, the Sony take 4.5 hours. Of course, the autonomy is greater, although the real difference is smaller than it seems, because the optimization of use, as we tell you, is essential.

The range, the great asset of JBL

One of the strengths in which the JBL Flip 6 stands out from its two competitors is in the range, since it can work in a radius of up to 240 meters. Of course, much higher than the 10 and 40 meters that its competitors achieve, which can be a decisive element if you use the speakers to take them to the beach, to the pool or to celebrate a party at home.

Remote control and hands free

We stop, now, at one of the qualities in which the Sony SRS-XB13 stand out from the JBL Flip 6 and the UE Wonderboom 3. All three models have a Bluetooth connection, but only the Sony speakers have the option of activating the hands-free. In addition, in all three there are pairing options with other devices.

However, the Wonderboom 3 pretty much limits them to another Wonderboom 3. The JBL Flip 6 has the PartyBoost function, with which it can be connected to another JBL speaker. On the other hand, the Sony SRS-XB13 can be synchronized with any Android smartphone or tablet, which makes them the winners from a remote control point of view.

Same resistance to water and dust

Wireless speakers are one of the accessories that are never missing in our beach or pool bag. Therefore, it is interesting that we tell you that the three speakers have the same degree of resistance to water and dust, IP67. In this sense, you will not have to worry, since both enjoy a high level of tolerance in case some water splashes on them or they receive a speck of dust.

UE Wonderboom 3 vs JBL Flip 6 vs Sony SRS-XB13: Which wireless speaker is more worth it?

To answer this question, it is important to have the economic context and know what price each one has. There is a clear economic difference between Sony’s speakers and its two rivals, which is evidenced by the technical differences that we have pointed out in this review.

On the other hand, the UE Wonderboom 3 and the JBL Flip 6 are more evenly matched economically, although the JBL ones are somewhat more expensive. Of course, they are the ones that offer the best sound technology and audio quality and, for us, the ones that are technically worth the most. Remember that, in addition to having better sound quality, they multiply the range of the Wonderboom 3 by 6.

Therefore, if you are looking for high-quality and efficient wireless speakers, our recommendation would be to bet on the JBL Flip 6. On the other hand, if the economic aspect is important to you and you cannot afford such a high expense, the Sony SRS-XB13 are a good option. You will not enjoy the same quality, but it is more interesting than other speakers of a similar price.