Short answer: the JBL Clip 3, since the Sony SRS-XB12 is the muddier listen, though neither ranks well in its class. Both have aux inputs, but the Clip 3 only gives up some bass against the original Clip. The XB12 sounds muddy with not much bass and peaky treble, so there is little reason to choose it. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 49 small speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 instead, ranked #1 at $49.99.
What the JBL Clip 3 does well: Aux in. Watch for: Less bass than the Clip.
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.
Water resistance is not close: the Sony SRS-XB12 is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the JBL Clip 3 at no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip 3 | Sony SRS-XB12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 Discontinued | $79 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #38 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~100Hz | 97Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (227 g) | 0.5 lbs (243 g) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| Frequency Response | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 3.8” x 5.4” x 1.8” (97 x 137 x 46 mm) | 2.9” x 3.6”H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Amplifier Power | 3.3W | 7W |
| Drivers | 1.57” (40mm) driver | 46mm |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 240ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Clip 3:
- 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
Sony SRS-XB12: $79 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony SRS-XB100, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5.
Pros: Sony SRS-XB12 uses 46mm. Its 243 g, claimed 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A detachable strap hangs it from a bag or belt. Measured bass extension of 97Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 97Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Muddy, with little bass and peaky treble. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 7W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 97Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 240ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.9” x 3.6”H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (243 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB13 vs XB12 - review and full sound test - best small speaker? 🙄 More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: Jbl Go 3 vs Sony XB12 Sound Battle With Sound Sample More from DLXWillington →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB12 vs Soundcore Mini 3 - size matters! bluetooth speakers test!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs JBL Clip
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Xiaomi Sound Pocket
- See all 28 comparisons