Short answer: the Soundcore Boom Go 3i. These sit at #21 and #2 of 54 small portable speakers at essentially the same price, and the Boom Go 3i wins clearly on sound quality.
Sound is the real gap here, not features. Our notes describe the JBL Clip 5 as generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound, just with more features layered on through the JBL Portable app’s custom EQ. The Boom Go 3i’s one sound knock is that it can sound a bit piercing and metallic, but it still ranks well ahead of the Clip 5 overall.
Battery life and durability both favor the Boom Go 3i. It’s rated for 24 hours versus 12 for the Clip 5, doubles as a USB-C power bank (the Clip 5 does not), and carries an IP68 rating for full submersion and dustproofing against the Clip 5’s IP67. It also supports TWS pairing, which the Clip 5 lacks.
Everything else matches: both have an app, onboard EQ, Auracast party mode, a carabiner-style built-in microphone, and USB-C charging.
Buy the Soundcore Boom Go 3i for better sound quality, longer battery life, and a higher water resistance rating, all at essentially the same price as the Clip 5.
Buy the JBL Clip 5 only if you specifically prefer JBL’s app ecosystem or its house sound over Soundcore’s.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip 5 | Soundcore Boom Go 3i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.95 | $59.99 |
| Ranked | #21 of 54 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #2 of 54 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (285 g) | 0.8 lbs (380 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Frequency Response | 95Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 5.3” x 1.8” (86 x 134.5 x 46 mm) | 4” x 4.2” x 1.8” (102.1 x 105.9 x 45.5 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 7W | 15W |
| Drivers | 1x ~50mm (2”) full-range driver + 1x passive radiator | 25mm tweeter + 42mm woofer + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
Soundcore Boom Go 3i: $59.99 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: An exceptionally rugged 380g mini speaker with IP68 protection, a floating sound-forward design, app EQ, RGB lighting, a battery display, USB-C power-bank output and Auracast/TWS linking. It reaches about 92dB and independent testing finds it lasts nearly six hours at maximum volume with lights and BassUp enabled, matching its demanding claim.
Cons: This is still a 15W mono speaker: bass impact and stereo width are limited, and critical listeners may find the upper treble piercing or metallic. It is directional by design, so the sound changes off-axis, and independent reviews note it lacks a built-in microphone; it is far better for rugged outdoor background music than a large gathering.
Setup: Try out Oluv’s EQ which slightly improves the sound
Full Soundcore Boom Go 3i review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 15W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4” x 4.2” x 1.8” (102.1 x 105.9 x 45.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 42mm woofer + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 92dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (380 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Boom Go 3i - first look More from Oluv’Sone →
- Techder Audios: Soundcore Boom Go 3i - Soundtest HOW GOOD IS 15W? WITH BASS UP 2.0!? More from techderaudios →
- Storytripper HD: Bose Micro 2 vs Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Micro 2 More from storytripperhd →
- Gi Rides: Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 Binaural Audio
- TecH Moe: Soundcore Boom Go 3i: The Mini Speaker to Buy! More from TecHMoE →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 2
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Minirig Mini 2
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Minirig Mini
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Tribit Stormbox Micro 3
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Teufel Boomster Go
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Soundcore Mini 3 Pro
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Soundcore Mini 3
- See all 61 comparisons