Short answer: the JBL Clip 5. It ranks #21 of 50 small speakers against the Clip 3’s #39, for only $9.96 more, and it is the newer, actively sold model.
The Clip 5 is an incremental update, but a meaningful one. Our notes describe it as generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound but with more features, basically about the same sound signature as the Clip 4. It adds the JBL Portable app with custom EQ, a wider carabiner with thicker back padding than the Clip 4, IP67 water resistance, and Auracast support for pairing multiple JBL speakers.
The Clip 3’s case is mostly nostalgia and a built-in carabiner. Our notes call it very portable with a built-in carabiner and genuinely waterproof for its era, and its real-world battery often beats its 10-hour rating, sometimes lasting close to 18 hours. Its main weakness is bass: our notes call out quite a lack of bass and less bass than newer Clip models.
Everything else favors the Clip 5: a newer Bluetooth 5.3 radio against 4.1, roughly double the rated output power, and USB-C charging instead of Micro USB.
Buy the JBL Clip 5 for the app EQ, Auracast pairing, and real IP67 water resistance, all backed by an active product line.
Buy the JBL Clip 3 only if you find one secondhand for meaningfully less than the Clip 5 and don’t mind its thin bass and lack of an app.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Clip 5 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than 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 5 | JBL Clip 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.95 | $49.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #21 of 50 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #39 of 50 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (285 g) | 0.5 lbs (227 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Frequency Response | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 120Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 5.3” x 1.8” (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm) | 3.8” x 5.4” x 1.8” (97 x 137 x 46 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 7W | 3.3W |
| Drivers | 1x ~50mm (2”) full-range driver + 1x passive radiator | 1.57” (40mm) driver |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~100Hz |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Clip 5 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Clip 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- JBL Clip 5 vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i
- JBL Clip 5 vs Minirig Mini 2
- JBL Clip 5 vs Minirig Mini
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs JBL Clip 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 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 5: $59.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older models: the JBL Clip 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5), the JBL Clip 3 (ranked lower, rated 2.7/5) and the JBL Clip (ranked lower, rated 2.7/5).
Pros: JBL Portable app adds custom EQ. Wider carabiner and thicker back padding than the Clip 4. IP67 rated. Auracast support for pairing multiple JBL speakers.
Cons: Generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound but with more features. Basically about the same as the Clip 4.
Full JBL Clip 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 7W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 5.3” x 1.8” (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x ~50mm (2”) full-range driver + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (285 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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