Short answer: the JBL Clip 4. It ranks #22 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $64.95; the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 ranks #42 and costs $100, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the JBL Clip 4 offers: Very light (0.4 lb) with a sturdy spring clip that attaches to bags/belts. Real-world battery life often beats the 10-hour rating. Watch for: Quite a lack of bass. Not very loud.
What the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 offers: 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. Watch for: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume
Buy the JBL Clip 4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
The Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 47 small speakers; there are better options higher up.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Clip 4 is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip 4 | Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.95 | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #22 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 239 g | 0.6 lbs / 250 g |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 135 x 46 mm) | 5.5" x 3" x 1" (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Output Power | 5W | 8W |
| Drivers | 1x 40mm (1.57") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| Max Volume | 79dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Clip 5 vs Mifa Tango
- Muzen Wild Mini vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2
- Sony SRS-XB13 vs Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Clip 4: $64.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Very light (0.4 lb) with a sturdy spring clip that attaches to bags/belts. Real-world battery life often beats the 10-hour rating.
Cons: Quite a lack of bass. Not very loud.
Full JBL Clip 4 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 5.3" x 1.8" (86 x 135 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 40mm (1.57") full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 79dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 239 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Danny Pops: MICRO SPEAKERS - my take on JBL Clip 4 VS Wonderboom 2 VS Bose Micro More from DannyPops →
- Gi Rides: Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs JBL Clip 4 - sound battle
- Storytripper HD: JBL Clip 4 vs B&O A1 2nd vs Klipsch Austin More from storytripperhd →
- CEONTHEMAKING: BATTLE Of The Compact Speakers Sony SRS-XB100 VS JBL Clip 4!
- Sis & Bro: Muzen Mini Wild Portable vs JBL Clip 4 - Bluetooth Speaker Review
- Reddit Search for JBL Clip 4 Review
- 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.
Cons: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75") full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 8W |
| 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
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Sony SRS-XB12
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Sound Pocket
- 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 3
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs JBL Clip
- See all 29 comparisons