Short answer: neither is a bass pick, so choose purely on features. The JBL Clip 3 adds an aux input but has less bass than the original Clip. The Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and a USB power bank, yet it has a huge lack of bass. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 49 small speakers, and the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2, ranked #1 at $49.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
Buy the JBL Clip 3 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip 3 | Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 Discontinued | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #38 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #44 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~100Hz | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (227 g) | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| Frequency Response | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.8” x 5.4” x 1.8” (97 x 137 x 46 mm) | 5.5” x 3” x 1” (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Amplifier Power | 3.3W | 8W |
| Drivers | 1.57” (40mm) driver | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75”) full-range drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Clip 3 compares with other leading options:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 3
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs JBL Clip 3
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs JBL Clip 3
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 vs JBL Clip 3
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs JBL Clip 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
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
Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2: $100 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. Metal grille with a faux-leather back and a small kickstand. 8-10 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of ~120Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 8W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5” x 3” x 1” (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75”) full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Sony SRS-XB12
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- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Noxgear 39g
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs JBL Clip
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- See all 29 comparisons