Short answer: the JBL Clip 3 for better sound quality, the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini for the lower price. The JBL Clip 3 ranks #36 of 47 small speakers at $49.99. The Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini ranks #37 at $21.99, $28 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Clip 3: Aux in. Very portable with a built-in carabiner; genuinely waterproof. The tradeoff: Less bass than the Clip. Quite a lack of bass.
What the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini gets right: IP67 waterproof, TWS stereo pairing, 10-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.0, compact 185g design, bass boost equalizer, dual drivers with passive radiator, built-in microphone, USB-C charging, affordable price. Set against that: Not much bass, treble rolled off.
Buy the JBL Clip 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 47 small speakers instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Clip 3 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip 3 | Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 Discontinued | $21.99 |
| Ranked | #36 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #37 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~100Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 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 | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 227 g | 0.4 lbs / 185 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.0 |
| Frequency Response | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 200Hz - 15kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.8" x 5.4" x 1.8" (97 x 137 x 46 mm) | 3.4" x 3.4" x 1.8" (86 x 86 x 45 mm) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Output Power | 3.3W | Not published |
| Drivers | 1.57" (40mm) driver | 2x drivers (rare-earth magnet, long-fibre diaphragm) + passive radiator |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Capacity | - | 2000mAh |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Clip 3: $49.99 Discontinued Amazon
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.
Cons: Less bass than the Clip. Quite a lack of bass. Discontinued.
Full JBL Clip 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~100Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1.57" (40mm) driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 3.3W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 227 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini: $21.99
Pros: IP67 waterproof, TWS stereo pairing, 10-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.0, compact 185g design, bass boost equalizer, dual drivers with passive radiator, built-in microphone, USB-C charging, affordable price
Cons: Not much bass, treble rolled off
Full Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Capacity | 2000mAh |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 3.4" x 1.8" (86 x 86 x 45 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x drivers (rare-earth magnet, long-fibre diaphragm) + passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 200Hz - 15kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | Not published |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 185 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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