Short answer: the JBL Clip 3 for portability and wired input, the Bose Soundlink Micro for its rugged build. The Clip 3 is very portable with a built-in carabiner and aux in, and it is genuinely waterproof, though it has less bass than the Clip. The Bose has a rugged rubberized coating and a 1m, 30-minute IP67 rating, but it lacks clarity.
What the Bose Soundlink Micro offers: Rugged rubberized coating, IP67 rated (1m submersion for 30 minutes). Set against that: Lack of clarity.
The JBL Clip 3 is the longer-running, lighter pick. Very portable with a built-in carabiner; genuinely waterproof. It is rated for 10 hours of battery against 6 for the Bose Soundlink Micro. At 0.5 lbs (227 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Bose Soundlink Micro at 0.6 lbs (289 g). Watch for: Less bass than the Clip.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Micro. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the JBL Clip 3 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Water resistance is not close: the Bose Soundlink Micro is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the JBL Clip 3 at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Micro | JBL Clip 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $82.00 | $49.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #19 of 54 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 54 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz | ~100Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (289 g) | 0.5 lbs (227 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 3.9” x 1.4” (98 x 98 x 35 mm) | 3.8” x 5.4” x 1.8” (97 x 137 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm with dual passive radiators | 1.57” (40mm) driver |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Amplifier Power | 5W | 3.3W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| Frequency Response | - | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Bose Soundlink Micro
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose Soundlink Micro: $82.00 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Bose Soundlink Micro 2, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5.
Larger models: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen (rated 3.8/5) and the Bose SoundLink Max (rated 4.3/5).
Pros: Bose Soundlink Micro uses 40mm with dual passive radiators. Its 289 g, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 90dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A rugged rubberized coating, a strap and Bose Party mode for pairing multiple speakers. Measured bass extension of 66Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 66Hz specification. No EQ adjustment.
Full Bose Soundlink Micro review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 5W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 3.9” x 1.4” (98 x 98 x 35 mm) |
| Drivers | 40mm with dual passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 90dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (289 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Clip 3: $49.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Clip 5, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5.
Pros: Aux in. Very portable with a built-in carabiner; genuinely waterproof. Real-world battery often beats the 10-hour rating, sometimes lasting close to 18 hours. Measured bass extension of ~100Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Less bass than the Clip. Quite a lack of bass. Discontinued.
Full JBL Clip 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 3.3W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~100Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.8” x 5.4” x 1.8” (97 x 137 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.57” (40mm) driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (227 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons