Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3, and it costs about the same. It ranks #6 of 62 small speakers, 16 spots ahead of the JBL Clip 5’s #22, at $56.76 versus $59.95. With the prices this close, there is little reason to pick the lower-ranked speaker.
The Clip 5 is a mild refresh, not a leap forward. Its own cons note it is basically about the same as the Clip 4, generally more of the same from the Clip series in terms of sound but with more features. What it does add is a JBL Portable app with custom EQ, a wider carabiner and thicker back padding, and Auracast support for linking multiple JBL speakers.
The Stormbox Micro 3 has real bass but needs tuning. Its pros note deeper bass than the previous Stormbox Micro, backed by a measured 62Hz bass extension and 13W of output power against the Clip 5’s 7W. The tradeoff is that the bass is thuddy and distorted out of the box; the cons call out that it needs an EQ to fix, something the 9-band EQ in the Tribit app can address. Reviewer Alan Ross Reviews tested it head to head against the Micro 2 for more detail on that difference.
Everything else favors the Micro 3 on paper too: it doubles the Clip 5’s rated battery life at 24 hours versus 12, adds a USB-C power bank function the Clip 5 lacks, and carries a higher IP68 rating versus IP67. The Clip 5 counters with Auracast multi-speaker pairing, which the Micro 3 does not support.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 for the higher sound-quality rank, longer battery life, and power bank function, and plan to spend a few minutes in the EQ app to tame the bass.
Buy the JBL Clip 5 if Auracast party-pairing with other JBL speakers matters more to you than the Stormbox Micro 3’s extra features.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A waterproof clip on speaker with a wide carabiner, a long battery, app EQ, and Auracast linking to other speakers.
A tough strap on mini speaker with full waterproofing, a 24 hour battery and a power bank output.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Clip 5 | Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.95 | $56.76 |
| Ranked | #22 of 62 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #6 of 62 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 (9 Band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| 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) | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, 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) | 4.4” x 4.2” x 1.8” (112 x 107.9 x 45 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 7W | 13W |
| Drivers | 1x ~50mm (2”) full-range driver + 1x passive radiator | 48mm NdFeB driver with coaxial passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in carabiner) | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 62Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
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